Dental crowns are designed to protect your teeth and restore their function. They cover a tooth that is weak, broken, or has had a root canal. But what happens if your crown breaks? Is it something you can wait to fix, or do you need urgent care? If you’re experiencing problems, it’s important to contact emergency dentistry in SE Calgary right away. Let’s take a closer look.
What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a cap made from metal, ceramic, or porcelain. Dentists place crowns over teeth that are damaged or weak. They protect your tooth, help you chew properly, and improve your smile. Crowns are strong, but they are not unbreakable. With time or due to accidents, a crown can crack, chip, or come off completely.
Why Dental Crowns Break
Crowns can break for several reasons:
- Biting something hard: Chewing ice, hard candy, or popcorn kernels can cause a crown to crack.
- Tooth decay: If the tooth under the crown decays, it can weaken the crown and cause it to break.
- Grinding teeth: Habitual teeth grinding or clenching puts extra pressure on crowns.
- Old age: Crowns can wear down over time and may eventually fail.
Even though a crown is strong, it’s important to remember that accidents and wear are normal. But a broken crown doesn’t always mean an emergency — it depends on the situation.
When a Broken Crown Becomes a Dental Emergency
Not every broken crown needs the same-day visit, but some situations do. Consider it an emergency if:
- Severe pain: If your tooth hurts a lot, it may be exposed to infection or nerve irritation.
- Swelling or bleeding: This can indicate infection, which needs prompt attention.
- The crown completely came off: Leaving a tooth exposed, which can cause sensitivity, pain, or infection.
- Difficulty chewing: If your tooth feels sharp or broken, it could cut your tongue or gums.
In these cases, contacting emergency dentistry or a dentist in Se Calgary immediately is the safest step. Quick action can prevent bigger problems, like infection or the need for a root canal.
What to Do If Your Crown Breaks
Even if it’s not a severe emergency, you should still call your dentist. Here’s what you can do in the meantime:
- Save the crown piece: If it broke into pieces, keep them in a clean container. Sometimes dentists can reattach or repair it.
- Protect the tooth: Use sugar-free gum or dental wax to cover sharp edges to prevent cuts in your mouth.
- Avoid chewing on that side: This reduces stress on the broken crown and prevents further damage.
- Take pain relief if needed: Over-the-counter medicine can help with mild pain until your dentist appointment.
- Call a dentist quickly: Even minor cracks should be checked to prevent future problems. Look for emergency dentistry near you if you need same-day care.
How Dentists Fix Broken Crowns
Dentists have a few ways to fix broken crowns:
- Crown repair: If the damage is minor, the dentist may smooth or rebuild the crown.
- Crown replacement: If the crown is badly damaged, a new one is made. This usually involves taking an impression and creating a custom crown.
- Temporary crown: If a new crown takes time, a dentist may place a temporary crown to protect the tooth.
Your dentist will also check the underlying tooth to make sure it’s healthy. Sometimes, the break reveals decay or a weak tooth, which may need additional treatment.
Preventing Crown Breakage
Taking care of your crowns can help them last longer:
- Avoid chewing very hard foods like ice or nuts.
- Wear a mouth guard if you grind your teeth at night.
- Keep up with regular dental checkups. Your dentist can spot wear before it becomes a problem.
Good dental habits protect your crowns and overall oral health.
When to See a Dentist
Even if your crown is just slightly chipped, it’s best to call your dentist. Minor damage can worsen over time. For severe cases with pain, swelling, or broken pieces, look for emergency dentistry near you. Quick care prevents infections and other complications.
Remember, crowns protect your teeth. A broken crown may not always be a true emergency, but ignoring it can lead to bigger problems. When in doubt, reach out to a dentist near you.
Protect Weak Teeth With A Crown
At Concept Dentistry, we help protect and restore weak or damaged teeth with strong, long-lasting dental crowns. Our team of experienced dentists carefully examines your teeth and chooses the optimal crown to fit your smile and chewing needs. Crowns can prevent further damage, improve function, and keep your teeth healthy.
Schedule your appointment today and protect your smile.
FAQs
Can a broken crown heal on its own?
No, crowns do not heal. You need a dentist to repair or replace it. Leaving it untreated can damage the underlying tooth.
Can I put a broken crown back on myself?
It’s not safe to try this at home. You can protect the tooth temporarily with dental wax, but a dentist must fix it properly.
How long can I wait to see a dentist for a cracked crown?
Minor cracks may be treated within a few days. If there is pain, swelling, or the crown is loose, seek emergency care immediately.
Will a crown replacement hurt?
Dentists use local anesthesia to make the procedure comfortable. Most patients report little to no pain.
How long does a dental crown last?
With proper care, crowns can last 10–15 years. Avoiding hard foods and grinding habits helps them last longer.
