What Is a Dental Crown and When Do You Need One?
If your dentist tells you that you need a crown, you may wonder:
“Why can't the tooth just be filled?”
A dental crown is used when a tooth needs more protection than a filling can provide. Crowns can restore teeth that are cracked, badly worn, weakened by a large filling, or significantly damaged by decay.
At Salt Creek Family Dental in Hinsdale, Dr. Celeste Medynskyj evaluates how much healthy tooth structure remains and recommends treatment designed to preserve and protect the natural tooth whenever possible.
What Is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a restoration that covers and protects the visible portion of a tooth.
Unlike a filling, which repairs a specific area within the tooth, a crown surrounds the tooth and helps restore its:
Strength
Shape
Size
Appearance
Ability to bite and chew
You may sometimes hear a crown referred to as a “cap.”
Why Would a Tooth Need a Crown?
A crown is generally recommended when a tooth has been weakened or damaged enough that a filling alone may not provide adequate protection.
There are several common reasons.
A Large Filling
Every time a tooth loses natural structure, it becomes somewhat weaker.
If a tooth already contains a very large filling, there may not be enough healthy tooth structure remaining to reliably support another filling.
A crown can surround the weakened tooth and provide additional protection against fracture.
A Cracked Tooth
Teeth can develop cracks from:
Biting hard foods or objects
Grinding or clenching
Large existing fillings
Trauma
Normal wear over time
Some cracks cause pain when biting or sensitivity to temperature, while others may initially cause very few symptoms.
Depending on the location and extent of the crack, a crown may help protect the tooth and prevent the damaged portions from flexing during chewing.
A Broken Tooth
If part of a tooth breaks away, a filling may not always be strong enough to restore it.
A crown can rebuild the damaged tooth while protecting the remaining structure.
The appropriate treatment depends on how much healthy tooth remains and how deeply the tooth has fractured.
Significant Tooth Decay
Small and moderate cavities can often be repaired with fillings.
When decay destroys a substantial portion of a tooth, however, there may not be enough healthy structure remaining to support a filling predictably.
In these situations, a crown may provide a stronger long-term restoration.
After Root Canal Treatment
Teeth that have undergone root canal treatment may require additional protection, particularly back teeth that experience significant chewing forces.
A crown is often used to help protect the remaining tooth structure from fracture.
Not every root canal-treated tooth requires exactly the same restoration, so the final treatment depends on the location and condition of the tooth.
Severely Worn Teeth
Grinding and clenching can gradually wear teeth down.
When significant tooth structure has been lost, crowns may sometimes be used as part of a treatment plan to restore the teeth and improve their function.
Why Can't I Just Get a Filling Instead?
This is an important question.
Dentists generally want to preserve as much natural tooth structure as possible. When a filling can predictably restore a tooth, it may be the more conservative option.
But a filling depends on the remaining tooth structure for support.
If too much of the tooth has already been lost, placing an even larger filling can leave thin sections of natural tooth vulnerable to breaking.
A crown provides protection around the weakened tooth rather than simply filling the missing portion.
The decision isn't about whether a crown is “better” than a filling. It's about which restoration is appropriate for the amount and condition of tooth structure that remains.
Does Getting a Dental Crown Hurt?
The tooth is typically numbed with local anesthetic before it is prepared for a crown.
You may notice pressure or vibration during treatment, but the goal is to keep you comfortable throughout the procedure.
Some temporary sensitivity after treatment can occur, particularly around the gums or when the tooth is exposed to temperature changes.
Significant or persistent discomfort should be discussed with your dentist.
What Happens When You Get a Dental Crown?
The exact process depends on the tooth and the type of restoration being used.
Generally, the process includes:
Examining the tooth
Removing decay or damaged tooth structure
Shaping the tooth to receive the crown
Creating an impression or digital scan
Placing a temporary crown when needed
Fabricating the final restoration
Checking the fit and bite
Bonding or cementing the final crown into place
The goal is to create a restoration that protects the tooth while allowing you to bite and chew comfortably.
What Are Dental Crowns Made Of?
Dental crowns can be made from several materials.
Options may include:
Ceramic
Porcelain
Zirconia
Porcelain fused to metal
Metal alloys
Other restorative materials
There isn't one material that is best for every tooth.
The location of the tooth, appearance, bite forces, remaining tooth structure, and other factors can influence which material is most appropriate.
How Long Does a Dental Crown Last?
There isn't a guaranteed lifespan for a dental crown.
With good oral hygiene and regular dental care, crowns can often function well for many years.
Their longevity can be affected by:
Brushing and flossing habits
Tooth grinding or clenching
Diet
Bite forces
The condition of the underlying tooth
Decay around the crown
Trauma or accidental damage
Importantly, a crowned tooth can still develop a cavity.
The crown itself cannot decay, but the natural tooth at the edge of the crown can.
How Do You Take Care of a Dental Crown?
A crowned tooth should be cared for much like your natural teeth.
Good habits include:
Brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
Flossing around the crown every day
Maintaining regular dental examinations
Avoiding chewing extremely hard objects
Wearing a nightguard if recommended for grinding or clenching
Keeping the area where the crown meets the natural tooth clean is particularly important.
What Happens If You Don't Get a Crown When One Is Recommended?
That depends on why the crown was recommended.
A tooth with a very large filling or significant crack may continue to function for some time without additional treatment—or it may fracture unexpectedly.
The problem is that we cannot always predict when a weakened tooth will break or how it will break.
A relatively small fracture may still be repairable. A severe fracture extending deep below the gumline or into the root can sometimes make the tooth impossible to restore.
That's why crowns are sometimes recommended before a tooth actually breaks.
Does a Crown Mean the Tooth Is Saved Forever?
No dental restoration lasts forever.
A crown can significantly strengthen and protect an appropriate tooth, but the underlying tooth still needs regular care.
Decay, gum disease, grinding, trauma, or future structural problems can still affect a crowned tooth.
The objective is to extend the useful life of your natural tooth for as long as reasonably possible.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Crowns
How do I know if I need a crown or a filling?
The decision depends largely on how much healthy tooth structure remains, the location of the damage, existing restorations, and the forces placed on the tooth. A dental examination and X-rays when appropriate help determine which restoration is more suitable.
Can a cracked tooth be fixed with a crown?
Some cracked teeth can be successfully protected with crowns. However, the prognosis depends on the location and extent of the crack. Cracks extending deeply into the root may not be repairable.
Do you always need a crown after a root canal?
Not always. Back teeth commonly require significant protection after root canal treatment because of the forces placed on them during chewing. The appropriate restoration depends on the individual tooth.
Can you get a cavity under a crown?
Yes. The natural tooth remains underneath the crown, and decay can develop near the margin where the crown meets the tooth.
How long should a dental crown last?
Many crowns function for years, but there is no universal lifespan. Oral hygiene, bite forces, grinding, diet, and the condition of the underlying tooth all affect longevity.
Think You May Need a Dental Crown in Hinsdale?
A recommendation for a crown doesn't necessarily mean your tooth is “bad.”
Often, the purpose of the crown is exactly the opposite: to protect a weakened tooth before additional damage makes it more difficult—or impossible—to save.
At Salt Creek Family Dental, Dr. Celeste Medynskyj provides restorative dental care for patients in Hinsdale, Oak Brook, La Grange, Burr Ridge, Clarendon Hills, Westmont, Willowbrook, and surrounding communities.
If you've been told you need a crown, have a broken tooth, or are experiencing pain when biting, call 630-323-0060 to schedule an evaluation.
Celeste Medynskyj, DDS
Salt Creek Family Dental
911 N Elm St, Suite 225
Hinsdale, IL 60521
630-323-0060