Cracked tooth is a frequent dental problem that many people will experience in their lifetime. Accidental impacts, heavy chewing, or simple age may make a cracked tooth a reality, and handling a cracked tooth is a priority. A lot of people ask, can you crown a cracked tooth to restore its function and appearance? In this post, we’ll tackle this question and go over all you need to know about dental crowns, get to the bottom of whether they can be of help with cracked teeth, and whether they’re the right choice.
What Causes a Cracked Tooth?
Before we discuss treatment options, it is imperative to first understand what causes a cracked tooth. There are a number of common reasons behind tooth cracks:
- Accidental trauma: Sports injuries, falls, or accidents can result in a direct impact on the tooth, causing cracks or fractures.
- Chewing On Hard Foods: Consuming items such as ice, hard candy, or unpopped popcorn kernels apply too much pressure on teeth and can lead to cracks.
- Bruxism (Teeth Grinding): Constant grinding of teeth over a long period of time, particularly at night, can eventually lead to tiny fractures.
- Age-Related Wear and Tear: Eventually, teeth can become worn down, and wear-and-tear-type cracks can develop naturally, particularly if the enamel has eroded due to age.
- Large Fillings: Teeth that have large fillings are at high risk for cracks due to the weakening of the tooth structure.
Knowing these causes makes sense for knowing how to treat the problem in addition to avoid more damage.
Is a Cracked Tooth Crownable?
Dental crowns are one of the most common ways to restore a cracked tooth. But can a crown be placed on every cracked tooth? The answer is yes — but with some caveats. Whether or not a crown is the right solution for your cracked tooth will depend on both the severity of the crack and where the damage is located.
What is a Dental Crown?
Dental crown is a cap that covers a damaged tooth. They restore a tooth’s shape, size, and strength, while improving its appearance and preventing decay. Crowns are commonly created out of strong materials like porcelain, ceramic or metal. Crowns cover the entire tooth, making it significantly stronger, and preventing more damage from occurring.
Yes, a dental crown is needed for a cracked tooth.
Dental professionals frequently recommend crowns for cracked teeth when the damage is severe enough that a filling will not offer adequate support. A crown is often needed under the following conditions:
- Deep Large Cracks: A deep crack in a tooth could involve the deeper structures such as the pulp. A crown is a good way to keep everything together and to prevent any further cracking.
- Tooth Fractures: Teeth broken into pieces can be reassembled with a crown, restoring function.
- Teeth with Big Fillings: When a tooth with a big filling cracks, a crown is required for stability.
- Cosmetic Reasons: For a noticeable crack on the teeth that appear in the front row of the mouth, a crown can give your tooth the normal look and give you a natural, seamless look.
A cracked tooth that has just a small crack may not need a crown and can be mended using a dental filling.
How is a Crown Placed on a Cracked Tooth?
Placing a crown usually takes two Dentist Albany Creek visits. Here’s what you can expect:
- 1st Visit — Examination & X-rays: You will make your first visit to your dentist who will examine the cracked tooth and, if necessary, take an X-ray of the affected area to determine the extent of the damage. This can determine if a crown is required or if a different treatment would be beneficial, like a root canal.
- Tooth Preparation: The cracked tooth is prepared for the crown. This typically requires some shaping and removal of damaged areas of the tooth. Severely broken or decayed teeth can be filled if needed to ensure proper crown placement.
- Moulding: After preparing the tooth, your dentist will take an impression of your tooth. It will be sent to a laboratory and a crown will be custom designed to fit your tooth.
- Temporary Crown: If the dentist has not completed your permanent crown during your first visit, they will cover your tooth with a temporary crown until the final crown is cemented into place.
- Fitting and the adjustment: During the second visit, the temporary crown will be removed, and the permanent crown will be placed over the tooth. The dentist will verify that the crown fits properly and then make any adjustments needed for an ideal fit.
- Cementing: After fitting, your crown will be permanently cemented into place.
Why should you get a crown for a cracked tooth?
Crowning a cracked tooth comes with a few advantages:
Protection Against Further Damage: The crown adds structural support to the tooth, preventing the crack from deepening. A cracked tooth could eventually break, or become infected, without a crown.
Functionality is Restored: A crown can restore the functionality of the affected tooth to chew and grind food by replacing its form.
Restored Appearance: A crown is custom made to fit the colour and shape of your natural teeth, which is particularly important if the tooth being crowned is visible when you smile.
Durability: Crowns are long-lasting and can endure for years with appropriate care, which makes them a great long-term solution.
How Many Varieties of Crowns Exist?
There are multiple types of crowns, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. But the right option varies depending on factors such as where the cracked tooth is located, any cosmetic preferences, and how much durability you require.
| Type of Crown | Material | Advantages | Best for |
| Porcelain Crowns | Porcelain | Natural look, stain-resistant, durable | Visible teeth (front teeth) |
| Metal Crowns | Gold, Alloys | Long-lasting, strong, less tooth removal | Back teeth (molars) |
| Ceramic Crowns | Ceramic | Aesthetic, blends well with natural teeth | Visible teeth (front teeth) |
| Resin Crowns | Resin | Cost-effective, good for temporary use | Temporary restorations |
What If a Cracked Tooth Goes Untreated?
If not managed, the crack can become wider over time and may cause a greater issue, e.g.:
- More Cracking or Breaking: When the tooth doesn’t have a crown to reinforce the tooth, it’s still at risk of breaking.
- Infection: If the fracture goes as far as the pulp of the tooth, bacteria can enter the pulp, which can cause an infection or abscess.
- Tooth Loss: In severe cases, neglecting cracks can leave the tooth so compromised that it needs to be removed.
In an effort to prevent more severe dental problems later on, it’s important to treat cracked teeth as soon as possible.
When to See a Dentist for a Cracked Tooth
If you think that you might have a cracked tooth, be sure to visit a dentist right away! There are several signs that you can look for that may indicate a cracked tooth.
- Intense pain while chewing or biting down
- Sensitivity to hot or cold
- Pain that comes and goes
- Cracks or fractures that are visible on the tooth
Timely treatment allows saving of the tooth and avoiding other complications.
Why Albany Creek Dental?
Now, if you have a cracked tooth and are looking for an expert’s help, Albany Creek Dental is on the way. As a skilled practitioner, we specialise in restorative treatments such as crowns to restore teeth to their full function and appearance. How does Albany Creek Dental help in restoring smile through personalised care? Whether it be a simple crown or a more complex procedure, we are committed to providing you and your family with the best dental care.
Read More: What’s Involved in Crowning a Tooth? Albany Creek Dental Breaks It Down for You
References:
- Australian Dental Association. (n.d.). Cracked Teeth.
- Victorian Dental Health Services. (2022). Tooth Restoration Options.
- Royal Australian College of Dental Surgeons. (n.d.). Crown Placement and Care.
FAQs:
1. Can all cracked teeth be made into crowns?
Yes, you can crown most cracked teeth but whether a crown is your best solution will depend on how extensive the crack is. In some instances, root canal or extraction may be required.
2. How long do crowns last?
Crowns can last between 10 to 15 years, depending on the material and how well you take care of them.
3. Does getting a crown hurt?
Local anaesthesia is applied for the procedure, so it is generally painless. Discomfort should be minimal and fades right after the procedure.
4. What should I do about a crowned tooth?
Good oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist will help to ensure that your crown lives a long life. Don’t chew on hard objects that may break the crown.
5. Porcelain crowns are durable, but how does this compare with their metal crown counterparts?
While porcelain crowns are durable and look natural, metal crowns are stronger and are usually utilized for the back teeth.
6. What is the average cost of a dental crown in Australia?
Dental crown cost varies depending on the type of crown and the difficulty level; it can range from $1,000 to $2,500 per device.