Our teeth are extremely strong; however, they are still prone to chipping from external trauma, decay, and eating hard foods. Despite being stronger than steel, human teeth are brittle because they are porous.
If you have a chipped tooth, it is important to seek dental care immediately. Left untreated, a chipped tooth can develop into a deep cavity that requires a root canal. Getting a dental crown on the chipped tooth can improve the tooth’s strength and restore your smile.
Treating a Chipped Tooth
When you visit the dentist for a chipped tooth, they evaluate the type of damage and recommend either placing a dental crown on the chipped tooth, filling the damage with a tooth-coloured composite, or replacing your tooth with a dental implant.
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Dental bonding
If your chipped tooth is only slightly damaged, your dentist may recommend dental bonding.
During dental bonding, your dentist applies layers of composite to the affected tooth and hardens each layer with a curing light. The tooth is then shaped and polished to blend with your natural teeth.
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Dental implant
If the damage extends below the gum line, your dentist may prescribe a dental implant. A dental implant consists of a titanium post embedded in the jaw, an abutment connector, and a dental crown.
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Dental crown
A dental crown is a tooth-coloured cap that covers the entire damaged tooth. It is a popular choice because it does not replace the whole tooth but restores its structural integrity, function and appearance. Dental crowns are for moderate to severe chips.
The Dental Crown Procedure
If your dentist decides you need a dental crown on the chipped tooth, they start the procedure by preparing your damaged tooth. This involves shaving down the enamel to accommodate the dental crown.
A root canal may be necessary, depending on the severity of the chip. If the tooth’s root is structurally damaged or decayed from exposure to bacteria, then you may need a root canal before a dental crown can be placed.
Your dentist shapes your tooth into a conical extrusion out of your gum line. This shape supports the crown. In a traditional dental crown procedure, the dentist takes a mould of your mouth and sends the mould to a lab where the crown is made. In the meantime, the dentist outfits you with a temporary crown on the chipped tooth.
About two weeks later, when your custom crown is available, your dentist replaces your temporary crown with your personal dental crown. They make adjustments to the crown’s shape to ensure your bite is aligned. Once your dentist secures the crown on the chipped tooth, it can last for up to 15 years.
Traditional and CEREC Dental Crowns
There are different kinds of dental crowns depending on how they are made and the material they are made from. The traditional dental crown method uses a mouth mould and an out-of-office lab to create your dental crown. It requires multiple visits to the dentist and takes about two weeks to complete.
Same-day dental crowns are created in the practice. The process is achieved with 3D imaging and a milling machine. This technology is called Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics (CEREC).
Your dentist starts with taking a 3D image of the inside of your mouth with an intraoral camera. They then use computer-assisted design/computer-assisted manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology to design and create a unique dental crown for your chipped tooth.
CAD/CAM technology was first used in dentistry in the 1980s and has been helping dentists restore smiles ever since.
The CEREC machine forms your custom dental crown out of a block of ceramic that is colour-matched with the rest of your teeth. Your dentist then fits the crown on the chipped tooth and makes adjustments to ensure your bite feels natural.
The whole process is completed in a single visit, and your dental crown lasts just as long as dental crowns made with the traditional method.
Dental Crown Materials
CEREC dental crowns are made of ceramic, the most common dental crown material, but there are several other options. A few are gold alloy crowns, porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns, and composite resin crowns.
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Gold alloy
Gold alloy is a mixture of gold and palladium or platinum. It is incredibly durable, so gold alloy dental crowns are suitable for premolars and molars where teeth must withstand intense bite force. Their durability also makes them good for people who grind their teeth.
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PFM crowns
PFM dental crowns combine the aesthetic advantages of porcelain with the strength of metal alloys. Porcelain is the primary material in ceramic crowns, and it comes in many shades to match a patient’s teeth colour. A PFM crown has a metal alloy interior to provide strength and durability.
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Composite resin
Composite resin crowns are cost-effective and closely match your natural tooth colour. They are made of plastic resin. Composite resin crowns are not as durable as the other materials, so they often require replacement sooner.
Crown on Chipped Tooth Cost
It is not possible to know the exact cost of a dental crown procedure because it depends on several factors. These include the crown’s material, customisation procedure, the location in your mouth, the dentist’s skill and the preparatory dental work required.
The dental crown materials all have different price points. Ceramic is a middle option, with composite resin being less expensive and metal alloys costing more.
Traditional custom crowns typically cost the most because of the laboratory fees. In-surgery customisations, like CEREC technology, cut down on customisation costs.
Finally, if you need extra work to prepare your tooth for the crown, the procedure will cost more. Root canals, dental implants, and cavity fillings are all additional procedures you may need before your dental crown procedure.
Restore Your Smile With a Dental Crown
Contact your No Gaps Dental dentist for treatment if you have a chipped tooth. The sooner you treat your chipped tooth with a dental crown or other restorative treatment, the healthier your mouth will be. With same-day dental crown technology, the whole process is quick and easy.
No Gaps Dental has 15 locations across Sydney to provide you with restorative dental care. Contact us on (02) 8806 0227 today to learn more about dental crowns and our other dental care services.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
How Hard is Tooth Enamel Compared to Other Materials.
https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/how-hard-is-tooth-enamel-compared-to-other-materials/
The Use of CAD/CAM in Dentistry.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/51464892_The_use_of_CADCAM_in_dentistry
Advances and current research in ceramic restorative materials.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8401822/