While dental crowns are strong, they do get chipped at times and you mustn’t ignore the damage no matter how small.
Even minor, shallow chips and cracks on porcelain dental crowns can increase bacteria and dental plaque retention, raising the chances of developing cavities, fractures, or further wear and tear.
Immediate At-Home Steps
Your immediate steps should include safe first-aid measures that may include rinsing with warm salt water or applying over-the-counter dental wax to cover sharp edges and cutting surfaces to prevent hurting your tongue or cheeks. Experts also recommend avoiding hard or sticky foods until a professional addresses the issue.
Importance of Seeking Professional Dental Care
While a chipped crown might not seem like a great deal, this issue can lead to multiple severe complications if it’s not addressed in time. A small fissure can turn into a broken crown in no time.
Therefore, seeking professional attention from a dentist is essential to prevent further damage if your crown is chipped.
Repairing a Chipped Dental Crown
It’s possible to fix a chipped crown if the damage only affects the outer layers of the porcelain. There are modern materials in dentistry that allow dental professionals to replace damaged dental prosthetics with a specialized hardened resin.
However, repairment is only possible with minor affection that does not involve the natural tooth or the cement beneath the porcelain crown.
Dental Crown Replacement: When Is It Necessary?
A complete replacement is the most common answer once the crown or tooth gets considerably damaged. Some of these situations can even require additional procedures like a root canal before proceeding with the new crown treatment.
Keep in mind that your crown is specifically designed and fitted to the tooth’s structure under the prosthesis. Therefore, when it gets damaged, the old crown cannot fit into the reshaped and adapted tooth.
Cost Considerations and Insurance Coverage
The repair cost is considerably lower than a replacement, with prices that can vary from $150 to $1500 or above, depending on the severity of the problems and the procedures needed.
The insurance coverage can vary from one company to another, depending on your plan and the dental services offered. However, most dental insurance companies cover a part of the treatment, while other expenses may require personal financial options.
Making an Informed Decision
A chipped or damaged dental crown is considered a dental emergency, and, as with any other emergency, you should call your dentist and attend an appointment as soon as possible.
During this visit, your dentist may choose to repair or replace your dental crown depending on the damage, extent, and other tests. He may also need some X-rays and hot or cold sensitivity tests.
If the damage is too great to be repaired, your crown will need to be replaced. Also, depending on the state of your natural teeth, you might need some dental fillings with composite resin, root canals, or other procedures before the new crown is placed.
Weighing the Pros and Cons of Repair vs. Replacement
Repair measures are usually cheaper and faster than a replacement. Consider that replacing a crown often involves starting the process from the beginning; from wearing and preparing the natural tooth to taking dental impressions and sending them to the dental laboratory.
Furthermore, most repair treatments take a single appointment to obtain results, while replacements can take multiple sessions before having the final crown in place.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Between Repair and Replacement
The decision will depend on the evaluation and assessment of the situation by your dentist. With all the information in hand, your dentist can determine the course of action depending on the following factors:
- The extent of the cavities or decay: Having extensive decay under the crown could make the repair impossible, requiring a complete replacement.
- The length of the chip or fracture: While minor chips are approachable with repair procedures, extensive fracture lines, and cracks represent a hazard to the life of the prosthesis.
- The symptoms and signs of the tooth are below: Experiencing sudden, spontaneous, or nocturnal pain is a clear sign that your natural is infected, requiring a root canal and a new crown.
- The time of the prosthesis: If you have many years with that crown, it might be better to just replace it with a new one.
FAQs
Q. Why Do Dentist Often Decide to Replace a Crown
Dental crowns need a perfect, tight fit to prevent humidity and bacteria to crawl under and cause trouble to the natural teeth. If the perfect seal is compromised, it is typically better to start over but prevent further damage to the natural teeth.
Conclusion
Receiving dental care after a crown gets chipped is essential to prevent further consequences and severe damage to the tooth’s structure. After a complete assessment, your dentist will determine the best course of action to protect your teeth and prosthetic treatment.
