Why Do I Need A Crown On My Tooth?

These are the common questions patients usually ask when their dentist recommends a crown for their tooth:

  • Why do I need a crown on my tooth?

Crowns or “Caps” are the most common recommended treatment in the dental office. The tooth needs a crown when its tooth structure is unable to withstand the normal chewing force. The general rule of thumb “if the tooth structure has been damaged due to a cavity or a fracture more than half the width of the tooth, we need to restore it with a crown.”

Tooth structure is compromised when it has had a large filling, a broken tooth structure, a crack or when a root canal has been done. When a tooth has a visible crack, the potential of a fracture and broken tooth increases. A root canal is usually needed when the cavity has already hit the nerve. During a root canal, the entire cavity and some tooth structures are removed in order to access the nerve. After a root canal treatment, the tooth is hallowed on the inside. A tooth with a root canal is like a dead tree which has high probability for a fracture. A crown provides the strength for the tooth and protects the tooth from fracturing. 

  • When should I get my crown done? 

The best time to do the crown is before the tooth breaks. Unfortunately, we just don’t know when the fracture will occur. Due to the nature of a crack and fracture we cannot predict how the cracks will travel and how big the fracture will occur. If the fracture is past the bone level, you will loose the tooth. When your dentist recommends a crown, you should get it done as soon as possible.

  • What types of crowns are available to pick from? 

Crowns can be made of gold, porcelain fused to metal (PFM), or all porcelain. The best material for a crown is 14K gold. Due to property of gold metal, it provides the best fit for crown treatment; but gold creates a cosmetic problem for the cosmetic zone. All porcelain crowns are ranked close to second compared to gold due to the newly discovery of zirconia (a type of porcelain). Pearly white as teeth with the compression strength as steel, zirconia crown is the perfect solution for the crown treatment. PFM crown is no longer a good choice for single crown treatment due to its limitation on fit and cosmetic appearance. 

  • What should I expect from a crown treatment after it’s completed?

Crown treatment helps restore the tooth to its original strength and function. a crown will also provide the cosmetic restoration of damaged front teeth. Crowns should feel as comfortable and normal as real teeth. A good crown would last up to 20-30 years. With the proper routine dental care crowns will last for many years to come. 

 

-Vinh Le, DDS

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