Getting a Broken Dental Crown Repaired or Replaced

A broken dental crown is often a sudden issue. Dental crowns are permanent dental restorations. A crown may dislodge because of an injury, an accident, wear, or even old age. The dentist will determine if your crown needs repairs or a replacement. If you want to know what the dentist does to repair or replace a broken dental crown, here are the details.

Repairing a broken dental crown

Dentists can use various techniques to repair a broken dental crown. One is using a dental onlay or a partial crown. This is often for a jagged or broken crown. It creates new cusps for the exposed tooth as it strengthens the structure. This way of repairing a crown is now possible because of new dental materials. Using a dental onlay means that the procedure is less invasive and long-lasting.

Using dental bonding is another way to reestablish the crown. This is a quick repair method that may be an ideal option because of its quickness. The process takes one dental appointment. Here, the dentist applies tooth-colored resin several times to rebuild the dental structure. It smoothens the jagged edges of the crown. When the resin hardens, the dentist will shape it like a natural tooth.

If the broken crown cannot fit properly or protect the tooth anymore, the dentist must replace it with a new crown. A compromised dental crown cannot be placed on the tooth anymore. If the dental crown fell or broke because of old age, then it needs a new replacement. The dentist and the patient will have peace of mind that the tooth has good protection again.

In some cases, the patient loses both tooth and dental crown. The damage to the crown and tooth is irreparable. This prompts the dentist to recommend a dental extraction. When this happens, a dental implant surgery follows. This will prevent sunken-in cheeks or a sagging jaw. The titanium rods act as the dental roots.

Replacing a broken dental crown

Many factors lead to the failure of a dental crown. Cavities in the natural tooth underneath the crown can weaken the dental crown. The intense impact can also cause a dental crown to crack or break. The dental crown will need a replacement if the tooth underneath has a fracture as well.

A broken crown would need replacement if the dental crown was placed over some buildup. If this buildup dislodges but remains in the dental crown, there is not enough natural tooth structure. This decreases the support for the dental crown, causing it to dislodge or break. The dentist would have to remove the broken crown and then restore the tooth.

Another factor is that the original dental crown had poor preparation. The dental crown may not have had good frictional retention with the tooth underneath. This retention should have been established before the dentist added the cement. The dentist will have to lengthen the tooth and replace the crown to reestablish the support that the dental crown needs.

A dentist can either repair or replace a broken dental crown

For a broken dental crown, a dentist will assess the issue and correct it right away. If the crown is still repairable, the dentist will use techniques like dental bonding to revitalize it. Yet, if the broken crown is beyond repair, replacing it will be the only option. Call our office to schedule an evaluation and restore your smile.

Request an appointment here: https://www.gatewaydental.org or call Gateway Dental Dr. William Swann DDS at (301) 485-7492 for an appointment in our Bowie office.

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