Dental crowns are an excellent way of restoring badly decaying or fractured teeth. However, your dentist may need to use some more inventive techniques if there isn’t enough tooth to crown it. There are several ways your dentist can address the issue, but each one is contingent on the quantity of tooth structure that is accessible. Keep reading the blog to learn when it is too late for a dental crown.
When Is It Not Possible to Get a Dental Crown?
The specific state of your tooth determines when a dental crown should be placed. Unless the tooth is so badly decaying or broken that it can no longer be saved, it’s usually not “too late” to think about getting a crown.
Factors Affecting the Feasibility of a Dental Crown?
The following factors may affect when and whether a crown is feasible:
Gum health: Poor gum health may impact a crown’s success. It is essential to treat gum disease before getting a crown.
Tooth sensitivity: It’s recommended to see a dentist right away if you’re feeling a lot of pain or sensitivity so they can evaluate the condition and decide whether a crown is the best option.
Damage level: If a sizable section of a tooth is lost or seriously affected, a crown may be required to restore its function and appearance.
Infection: Your dentist must address the existing infections before a crown is positioned.
What if There’s Not Enough Tooth For a Crown?
Before we discuss what happens when there is insufficient tooth to crown, let’s review tooth construction. The proper fitting of a crown depends on the tooth having a sufficient (and healthy) structure.
The tooth is composed primarily of:
- Dentin
- Pulp
- Enamel
If the integrity of your tooth structure is insufficient to hold the crown in place, you may require a post-and-core foundation. To provide a solid base for the crown, your dentist will perform a root canal to remove the damaged pulp.
In order to guarantee that the crown is secured in place and won’t come loose or fall off over time, they will next insert the post into the canal and construct the core up around it.
How Much Tooth Needs to Remain for a Crown?
A specific amount of tooth structure is required to give the restoration sufficient support and stability in order to guarantee successful dental crown implantation. Dentists usually strive for at least two millimeters of tooth structure left, which is around 25% of the tooth’s visible area. This quantity of tooth permits appropriate preparation and guarantees a stable crown fit.
However, if there are not enough tooth left or if a large portion of a tooth’s structure has been removed, your dentist cannot put a crown on.
Final Say!
Dental crowns protect teeth from additional harm and last for a very long time with the right care. However, if it’s too late to get a dental crown, your dentist may recommend some other options. Speak with our expert dentist, Dr. Rosita Hamidi, DDS, at Smile Time Dental Houston, about your specific condition and see if getting a dental crown is the right choice for you.
Call (281) 245-0711 to book your appointment.