A dental crown can be a great option when a tooth is too damaged or decayed to be treated with a filling. A crown works like a cover – or cap – that goes over an existing tooth. But what happens if there’s not enough of the natural tooth left to hold a crown in place? Don’t worry, there are treatment alternatives. Read on to learn how specialized dental care can help.
How Do Dental Crowns Work?
In order to understand how much tooth is needed for a crown, it can be helpful to know how dental crowns work. If you have a damaged or decayed tooth, one of the first steps is to prepare the natural tooth. This may involve removing any decay and shaving down the tooth so that the crown will fit on top of it.
Also, an impression will be taken in order to create a custom crown that will blend in with the surrounding teeth. Sometimes dental crowns can be made the same day. Other times, people may need to wear a temporary crown while the custom crown is being created. Once the crown is made, it can be placed over the tooth.
How Much Tooth is Needed for a Dental Crown?
Each situation may vary. Generally, however, at least a quarter of the visible part of the tooth is needed to support a crown. If too much of the natural tooth is missing, then extra care may be required to establish a foundation that can hold the crown in place.
Treatment Options When the Tooth Can’t Support a Crown
- Rebuilding the tooth – If just a little more tooth structure is needed to support a crown, a dentist may be able to rebuild the natural tooth with a composite material. This is the same material used for dental fillings.
- Post-and-core foundation – If the natural tooth is not stable enough to support a crown, a metal post may be used to help hold the crown in place. With this treatment, the decayed part of the tooth is cleaned out. Then, a metal post is cemented into the root of the tooth, and a crown is placed on top of it.
- Dental implant – For certain people with severe damage or decay, a dental implant may be recommended to replace the natural tooth entirely. With this option, the natural tooth is extracted. Then a post is surgically placed into the jawbone to support the crown.
- Dental bridge – This treatment also involves extracting the damaged or decayed tooth. However, with a dental bridge, an artificial tooth is used to fill the gap. The artificial tooth is held in place by other teeth or dental implants. In some cases, bridges may be used to treat multiple damaged or missing teeth.
Dental Crowns and Restorative Dentistry in Snellville
Getting restorative care like dental crowns may require extra measures in some cases. But it’s well-worth it to protect the health, function, and appearance of your smile. To learn more about crowns and other services at Oak Road Dentistry, contact us today by calling 770-985-9559.
FAQs
Post-and-core foundation – If the natural tooth is not stable enough to support a crown, a metal post may be used to help hold the crown in place. With this treatment, the decayed part of the tooth is cleaned out. Then, a metal post is cemented into the root of the tooth, and a crown is placed on top of it.
What if I have too little tooth for a crown? ›
Mini dental implants (MDIs) are also a viable option for patients who do not have enough tooth left to support a dental crown. In some cases, a tooth that has broken beneath the gum line, for example, may be extracted, and a mini dental implant can be placed immediately following your dental extraction.
What is the minimum amount of tooth for a crown? ›
In most cases at least one-quarter of tooth structure is needed in order to place a dental crown. If less than this amount is present, there are still several options available. These options include using composite resin, placing a post-and-core foundation, or using a dental implant to replace the tooth.
Can a crown be put where there is no tooth? ›
You can get crowns even if your natural tooth is too decayed or damaged to support it naturally, but what about placing crowns over missing teeth? It may seem like that's impossible because there is no tooth surface to attach the crown to, but there is one option that your dentist may suggest: dental implants.
How much tooth can be missing for a crown? ›
As you can see, dental crowns are highly versatile in terms of how much tooth is needed for their placement. They can be placed when as much as ¾ of the natural tooth has been damaged or decayed, and can also be placed when the tooth is lacking both external and internal support.
What is a cheaper alternative to a crown? ›
Inlays. Inlays are a tooth restoration option that can often be used instead of a dental crown if the area that needs treatment is located at on the top of the tooth, also known as the cusp. An experienced dentist will treat the tooth and then make an impression so the inlay can permanently bond into place.
Is the dentist responsible for a failed crown? ›
Dentists bear a crucial responsibility when a crown fails, as they play a pivotal role to ensure oral health and patient satisfaction.
How much do most dentists charge for a crown? ›
The cost of a crown will depend on the material you choose, but it will likely fall within the range of $500 to $2,500 per crown. The procedure usually requires additional fees for exams, x-rays, procedural costs, and any needed prep work before the crown is put on.
How does a dentist build up a tooth for a crown? ›
A core buildup is a restorative dental procedure that involves replacing missing tooth structure with special filling material so that it can successfully support a dental crown. The filling is usually prepared in the mouth using tooth-colored composites.
Can you get a crown without a root canal? ›
Both a root canal treatment and a dental crown are independent procedures. Getting a crown doesn't always require a root canal and vice versa. However, in some instances, you might require both treatments. If your tooth is beyond repair, your dentist might recommend extracting it.
Crowns can fit over multiple teeth, even if they are severely damaged.
How much does the average crown cost per tooth? ›
The cost of dental crowns in the UK varies according to their type, as well as the location and expertise of the dental practice. Generally, a dental crown may cost you anywhere between £400 to £1200. A metal crown typically costs between £300 to £800, while an all-ceramic costs anywhere between £600 and £1200.
What does a partial crown look like? ›
It is much more than a tooth filling, the partial crowns we fit have been both digitally designed and bespoke crafted to achieve the perfect aesthetic match in colour, shape and size, so they are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth.
