A dental crown is a cap shaped like a tooth structure that can fit over an existing tooth. It can be used to protect weakened, broken, or decaying teeth to prevent them from becoming more damaged or painful. Dental crowns can be made from a variety of materials and are very effective for protecting you from negative side effects that come with a broken or cracked tooth.
Cracked teeth become more common with age as the tooth naturally weakens over time. They can become painful and sensitive, but the good news is that you don't have to struggle without treatment. We've outlined everything you need to know about using dental crowns for broken teeth below.
A broken tooth isn't always an issue, but it can cause painful symptoms like sensitivity when eating and swelling. They might occur as you get older, or if you're prone to grinding your teeth and eating hard foods. Broken teeth aren't always noticeable - it could be as minimal as a small fracture in the enamel. However, this can turn into a more emergent issue if not treated properly.
A cracked tooth can allow bacteria to seep into the tooth pulp and cause a tooth abscess, which may even spread to your jawbone if left untreated. In severe cases, it can further spread to your facial muscles, tendons, and fat cells. Broken teeth can't heal on their own, which is why dental crowns are a great treatment plan to prevent the fracture from turning into a more serious issue.
There are many types of dental crowns, and which you receive might be down to your dentist's office. You may also be able to choose the type of dental crown you prefer.
Metal crowns are one of the most common options, and they can be made from several materials like gold, nickel, chromium, and palladium. The main benefit of metal is that it rarely chips or breaks, so your crown is sure to last the longest. However, many people don't like the obvious colour, so this might only be an option for out-of-sight molars.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns offer the durability of metal with the natural look and feel of porcelain, giving you the best of both worlds. Dentists can make these the same colour as your natural teeth so they blend seamlessly with your smile. Drawbacks include chipping porcelain to expose the metal beneath, and damage to your natural teeth enamel.
Pressed ceramic gives it a hard inner core to make it more durable than only-porcelain, but without metal. These crowns also mimic the natural look of your teeth so you shouldn't be able to see the crown obviously. However, these dental crowns come with the same drawbacks as porcelain-fused-to-metal alternatives.
All-ceramic are the most similar to natural teeth and therefore are often preferred for aesthetic reasons. They're an excellent choice for those who have metal allergies. The most common material for ceramic crowns is zirconia as it's very durable. While ceramic crowns are considered easier to break, extensive research and testing have led to this being a relatively long-lasting option.
Many modern dentists can use CAD/CAM (computer-aided design/ manufacturing) technology to create crowns in their office on the same day as your appointment. This allows you to walk in with a broken tooth, and out with a new, shiny crown. The only issue is that same-day dental crowns aren't for everyone, so you'll need to talk to your dentist to see if you're a candidate.
All-resin crowns are often only considered temporary crowns as they're more fragile and likely to break than other types. While they're the cheapest alternative, they only last around 3 to 5 years on average. For this reason, many dentists don't offer all-resin crowns unless for extenuating circumstances.
While dental crowns can be an effective solution for many broken teeth, they're not a universal fix. Crowns can support and protect the damaged tooth, but if your tooth is too badly damaged or if there's an infection beneath the tooth structure already, a crown might not be the best course of treatment.
Talking to a professional dentist is the best way to determine if a crown is right for you. If your tooth is too far gone or the damage extends beyond the gum line, other restorative dentistry might be recommended, like dental implants or bridges.
Crowns usually require two appointments, unless you're a candidate for same-day dental crowns. Below we've outlined everything you need to know about the procedure.
The first visit will be more about planning and preparation work, so your tooth is ready for the crown by the second. Firstly, the tooth needs to be prepared, which involves removing some of the natural enamel to make space for the cap. Your dentist might also use a filling material to build certain parts up, which will help the cap fit better.
Next, you'll have dental impressions taken - either with a putty-like material or digitally with a handheld scanner. These will be sent to a lab where a technician will use them to create your custom dental crown to fit perfectly over your injured tooth.
Finally, you'll be fitted with a temporary crown to protect the tooth while you wait for the permanent crown to be made. This usually takes around two to three weeks, so the temporary cap is designed to keep you comfortable while you wait.
Once the technician's lab has finalised your crown, you'll be asked to come back in for your second visit. During this time, your dentist will remove the temporary crown, make sure the shape, colour, and fit of the permanent cap are correct, and bond it to your existing tooth. This is done with a strong form of dental cement to prevent it from coming loose when eating.
Most people with broken teeth feel an immediate effect after getting a dental crown procedure, as it protects the exposed nerves from food, drink, and germs. However, it's also normal to experience some degree of sensitivity for a few weeks, so don't panic if you don't feel healed straight away. There may also be some soreness or tenderness in your gums around the affected tooth, especially with so much poking and prodding done by the dentist. Over-the-counter medications should take your pain away and help with the swelling.
Unfortunately, there's no definitive way to fix a broken tooth - once it's damaged, it can't be fixed. If you find that your symptoms are still persisting after the permanent crown fitting, you may need to talk to your dentist about more drastic treatment.
There are many benefits to dental crowns, and they're an excellent option for many candidates. They might be right for you if you have:
Worn, broken, or decaying teeth
Natural erosion that needs protecting
Reduced chewing function
Aesthetic reasons
However, it's important that you know the risks of dental crowns before continuing. For starters, they require some removal of your natural tooth enamel, which is a permanent change to its structure. This may cause sensitivity. The crown can also crack over time or trap bacteria, which can harm the tooth beneath. It might not be suitable for people with extensive tooth damage, as a crown can only do so much in reducing the symptoms.
There are a few other dental issues a crown can fix, including:
Weakened teeth
Unsupported fillings
Improved appearance
Unsupportive dental bridges
Exposed root canal treatments
Exposed dental implants
Dental crowns are an incredibly common form of treatment used by dentists for broken or missing teeth, whether that be a metal, ceramic, or hybrid crown. Depending on the severity of the damage to your tooth, your dentist may give you a range of options for how to proceed with your treatment process. When looked after, dental crowns can last between five and 15 years before needing to be replaced. Learn more about porcelain crowns at our Melbourne CBD clinic to see how we can help fix your smile today!
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