What are the consequences of not protecting a tooth with a dental crown?
It's impossible to know precisely what the future holds for a tooth that seems to be a candidate for a dental crown. Here are some of the possible scenarios that might develop for the tooth, ranging from benign to somewhat painful.
A) The tooth will experience no problems.
When a dentist suggests that a dental filling should not be placed but instead the tooth should have the protection of a dental crown they are no doubt basing their recommendation on their years of dental training and clinical experience.
As you might guess, some teeth that seem to require the protection of a dental crown never experience any problems at all. No dentist can know precisely what set of occurrences will transpire with a tooth. They are simply advising you as to what they consider to be the most predictable treatment in regards to the long-term health of your tooth.
B)The tooth will crack.
One possible outcome for a tooth that is in need of the protection of a dental crown is that it will crack. Unlike cracks in bones, the cracks in teeth do not repair themselves or heal over. Once a crack has formed it can, and often will, increase in size over time due to repeated exposure to heavy biting forces.
Those teeth that do crack can do so in the following fashions:
1) Teeth that have cracked but no piece has broken off or has become mobile. The tooth produces no pain or discomfort.
In many cases unless a portion of your tooth has broken off you may not be aware that a crack has formed. This is because many cracks are difficult, if not impossible, to visualize and not all cracks in teeth (seen or unseen) are significant enough to produce symptoms.
Probably the greatest threat associated with this status is that this condition may be the prelude to a more serious scenario. While clearly not all cracks will unequivocally lead to problems, the presence of a crack can suggest that a fracture, cracked tooth symptoms, or a problem with the tooth's nerve may develop in the future.
2)*Teeth that have cracked and no piece has broken off or has become mobile. The tooth does produce some pain or discomfort.
Cracked teeth can be sensitive. Biting pressure can separate the portions of the tooth associated with each side of the crack and as a result trigger a painful response.
The classic sign of a cracked tooth is that there is a sudden sharp pain from the tooth when you bite down. The pain then subsides immediately once you have released your biting pressure. The pain may not be produced every time you close. Sometimes it takes biting (or biting on something) at just the right angle to trigger the response.
While cracks in teeth do not heal, cracked tooth symptoms can subside. If you anticipate that you do have a tooth that has cracked you should let your dentist evaluate it and make a treatment recommendation. They may determine that your tooth requires little or no treatment, or that a dental crown should be placed. In the most extreme cases they may determine that root canal treatment is required before the dental crown can be placed.
3) Teeth which crack and as a result have a portion that has broken off or becomes mobile.
A tooth can crack and result in a situation where a piece of it comes off. The piece that has separated can break away cleanly or, if the fractured portion is still attached to the gums, the piece will be mobile yet stay in place somewhat.
As you might anticipate, the amount of pain or discomfort associated with a tooth that has broken can vary widely depending on the specifics of the situation. Sometimes these teeth:
- are totally asymptomatic.
- are sharp or rough and therefore irritating to the person's tongue or cheek.
- have an increased sensitivity to hot and cold stimuli.
- are painful to biting pressure.
- are spontaneously painful.
Here are some of the scenarios that often present themselves as a result of a tooth fracture:
a) The tooth breaks in a fashion that is easily repaired.
It's not always a catastrophic event when a tooth breaks and, in fact, in most cases it usually it isn't. Any tooth, however, that has broken should always be inspected by your dentist so they can make a treatment recommendation. A stitch in time really can save nine when it comes to broken teeth.
It is conceivable that such a small portion of the tooth has fractured off that it only requires some minor smoothing. At the other extreme you may find that your dentist recommends the placement of a dental crown. Especially in those cases where a large portion of your tooth is missing, take the obvious hint that your tooth is trying to give you. Let your dentist make a crown for your tooth.
b)*The tooth breaks, but it requires other types of dental work before the dental crown can be made.
More serious tooth fractures will require more involved dental treatment to repair them.
The tooth fractures, periodontal surgery (gum surgery) is required.
- If that segment of the tooth that has broken off comprises a portion of the tooth's root a type of gum surgery termed "crown lengthening" may be needed before a dental crown can be placed. This is because the edge of a dental crown cannot extend too far underneath the gum line or else it will impair the health of the gum tissue around the tooth.
- The tooth fractures, root canal treatment is required.
- Deep tooth cracks or extensive tooth breakage can compromise the health of a tooth's nerve. In these cases your dentist cannot simply place a dental crown on the tooth. They must first perform root canal treatment so to remedy the problem with the tooth's nerve, then the dental crown can be placed.
c)*The tooth breaks in a fashion in which it cannot be repaired.
Surprisingly, even teeth that have broken off flat with the gum line can usually be rebuilt. If a crack or break involves a large portion of the root portion of the tooth however (the portion way down underneath the gum line), your dentist may find that no dental treatment will be able to adequately repair the tooth and therefore the tooth must be extracted.
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Topic Index for :
Dental Crowns / Dental "Caps."
