Who Needs a Dental Crown?

When a Tooth Needs More Than a Filling

A small cavity rarely needs a crown. A filling normally works when there is plenty of tooth around the damaged spot.. When a large part of the tooth is gone adding another filling may not be the best idea because the remaining tooth can bend under pressure.

That is where a crown becomes sensible. A crown covers the tooth and gives it support while you chew. You do not have to worry about the crown every time you eat something and that is honestly one of the best parts.

A Cracked or Broken Tooth

Cracks are another reason. If a tooth breaks and a large amount of structure is missing your dentist may suggest a crown after checking that the tooth can still be fixed.

A crown does not fix every type of crack. If the damage goes far below the gum or reaches the root in a way that makes the tooth impossible to save another treatment may be required. That is why the examination matters.

People Who Have Had a Root Canal

Root canal treatment removes damaged tissue from inside the tooth. After the procedure the tooth can become more vulnerable because it has lost some structure especially when the initial damage was already large.

A crown gives the tooth another layer of protection. This is especially important for teeth because they endure a lot of chewing force. Front teeth are different so your dentist will look at the amount of remaining tooth structure and how pressure the tooth normally receives.

Who Is Usually a Candidate?

• A large amount of tooth structure is missing. A normal filling would leave the tooth vulnerable.

• The tooth has cracked but still has healthy structure to be restored which is an important distinction.

• After a root canal procedure on a back tooth that takes heavy chewing pressure.

• Severe wear. Teeth that have become visibly worn down sometimes need coverage though the cause of the wear still needs attention.

• Appearance is the concern. A crown can improve the shape or colour of a damaged tooth but using a crown purely for cosmetic reasons requires a proper discussion first.

When You Might Not Need One

Not every damaged tooth needs a crown. If the problem is small. Most of the natural tooth remains strong a filling or another conservative treatment may be enough. Removing tooth structure just to place a crown is not something I would rush into.

There are also cases where the tooth is too damaged to support a crown. Your dentist may recommend another option instead depending on where the damage’s located and how much healthy tooth remains.

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