Can Dental Crowns Break?

A dental crown is a highly effective restorative dental fixture. It features a ceramic cap that a dentist secures over a vulnerable tooth, strengthening its structure and protecting it from external threats.

Though durable, high pressures could make a crown break or dislodge. If this occurs, the underlying tooth may be at risk of major harm. For this reason, you should act promptly if you experience this accident. Read on to find advice from your dentist about actions to take if you sustain damage to your dental crown.

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What to Do If You Damage a Dental Crown

Call Your Dentist Right Away

When your dentist gives you a dental crown, they must file down the enamel of the affected tooth to make room for the cap. Though the crown replaces any lost enamel, if the crown breaks, the tooth becomes exposed and at risk of many dental dangers.

The durable material and reliable dental cement ensure the crown can stay in place. But impact trauma or pressure from biting down on a hard or chewy item could make a crown fall off or break.

Plaque can infiltrate the area quickly and give you cavities or other dental problems that will require major dental work. You should call your dentist as soon as possible to get their advice on what you should do.

Acting without the help of your dentist could lead you to damage the crown or the affected tooth. Over the phone, your dentist can also offer advice on immediate steps to take. They can tell you how to relieve pain or other discomforts.

Attend an Emergency Dental Appointment

Your dentist will likely ask you to come to their office as soon as you can for an emergency appointment. Bring your damaged dental crown with you if possible.

During this visit, the dentist will examine the crown, the affected tooth, and the surrounding area. They check for signs of damage and offer treatment if needed. If the crown remains intact, the dentist can place it back over the tooth and seal it with dental cement again.

If you require a new crown, your dentist can provide you with a temporary crown as they construct a permanent one in their dental lab. It may take two or three weeks for your crown to be finished. Your dentist will call you to return to the office when it is ready.

Take Precautions to Avoid Further Damage to Your Crown

With your dental crown back in place over your tooth, you will want to take measures to ensure you do not sustain any further damage to your fixture. You should be careful when biting sticky, chewy, or hard-textured foods.

Talk to your dentist if you have a habit of grinding or clenching your teeth. Over time, this behavior will wear down your teeth as well as your dental work. Your dentist can help you cease this habit or cushion your teeth from this unconscious behavior with a custom-made mouthguard.