Chipped A Dental Crown? Here’s What to Do

If you have a dental crown, chipping it is a possibility. If you discover that you have chipped one of your crowns, contact your Sarasota dentist to find out what you should do next.

What is a Dental Crown?

A dental crown is a  “cap” that is placed on a tooth to fix the shape, strength, and appearance of a tooth that is too damaged for a dental filling to fix. A crown can also be used to protect cavities or to hold a tooth together if it has fractured. 

There are many different types of materials used to make crowns, each having different costs, lifespans, and methods of care. The options for materials include:

• Ceramic: Often used for crowns on the front teeth because of their natural color, ceramic crowns are made of porcelain material. 
  

• Resin: Resin is the least durable option so it is most commonly used for temporary crowns. It can be used for a permanent fixture but resin has a tendency to fracture which leads to a shorter lifespan.
  

• Porcelain fused to Metal: A highly durable option. It is stronger than regular porcelain due to the metal structure it is fused to.
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• Base Metal Alloy: Very durable option. The crown is made of corrosion-resistant non-noble materials.‍

• Gold alloys: Gold is highly unlikely to fracture and bonds strongly to the tooth. 
  

What to Do If Your Crown Gets Chipped?

The first thing you should do if you chip or crack your crown is to call your dentist. Your Sarasota dentist can use your description of what happened to determine how soon you will need to be seen. A chipped crown can require an emergency dentist visit. 

Generally, if the chip is not causing you pain, it is safe to wait for a few days to be seen but it is always advised to ask a dentist. Be sure to mention to your dentist if the crown is loose or if there is any sensitivity to hot or cold in the area as these are more urgent issues that may require you to be seen faster.

Can a Dental Crown Be Repaired?

The answer to this is yes, but there are limitations on what damage can be repaired. The most frequent chips happen with porcelain crowns. Porcelain requires heating to very high temperatures so a dentist with access to high-quality repair tools and a high level of expertise can repair a porcelain chip. Be aware that this is not an everyday procedure for most dentists. 

Also, a crown of any material may be damaged to the point that repair is not recommended or even possible. In this situation, you will be advised to replace the crown entirely.

Contact Sarasota Bay Dental For Dental Crown Restorations

If you have problems with a crown or you want to be checked for any other dental procedure, make sure to contact Sarasota Bay Dental today. Dr. Robert Miller and his expert team will determine how fast you should be seen and help you choose the best option for your dental health.

Contact us today to book your appointment in Sarasota.