Chips happen – to our favourite mugs, that perfect pair of jeans, and sometimes, even our dental crowns. But unlike your favourite mug, a broken crown isn’t something you can simply replace with a trip to the cupboard. Ignoring a broken crown tooth might seem harmless, especially if it’s not causing any immediate pain. However, that small crack or chip could eventually snowball into serious dental drama.
Dental health is a priority. Let’s explore the potential consequences of neglecting a broken crown and why consulting with your dentist is crucial to maintaining a healthy, beautiful and functional smile.
The Battle Within: Bacteria vs. Your Tooth
Dental crowns are the guardians of your teeth. They act as protective shields, safeguarding teeth weakened by decay, cracks, or root canals. But when a crown breaks, a chink appears in its armour, exposing the vulnerable tooth underneath. This creates an open invitation for harmful bacteria to attack.
These microscopic munchkins love a warm, moist environment to multiply. With a broken crown, they have a prime spot to set camp and start chowing down on your tooth’s exposed dentin (the layer beneath the enamel). This, my friends, is the recipe for a cavity catastrophe, and that’s why you need a crown on your tooth.
From Cavity to Chaos: The Downward Spiral of a Broken Crown
A neglected cavity can quickly escalate into a full-blown infection. This can cause a whole host of common dental crown problems and unpleasant experiences, including:
- Tooth sensitivity: That innocent sip of iced coffee or bowl of hot soup suddenly feels like an assault on your senses. Imagine the pain when your crown broke off with a tooth in it.
- Pain and discomfort: The infection can travel deeper into the tooth, leading to throbbing pain and making even chewing a chore.
- Inflammation: If the crown broke off at the gum line, the gum tissue around the broken area might become swollen and red.
- Abscess formation: In some cases, the infection can progress to an abscess – a pus-filled pocket that can be extremely painful.
The Domino Effect
The consequences of a broken crown aren’t just confined to your dental health. Ignoring it can also affect the overall aesthetics and functionality of your smile. A chipped crown can be unsightly and throw off the balance of your smile. A broken crown may interfere with your bite, making it difficult to chew your food properly. Additionally, it can impact your speech, making it challenging to articulate words clearly.
Taking Action
Fortunately, a broken crown doesn’t mean the end of your smile. Here are the steps you can take:
- Schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. Early intervention is critical. The sooner you address the broken crown, the less likely it is to cause further damage or discomfort, and the more accessible and inexpensive the treatment will likely be. Dr Jason Pang specialises in cosmetic dental crowns in Neutral Bay and can help restore your smile and prevent further complications.
- Discuss options for repairing or replacing the crown. Depending on the severity of the damage, your dentist might be able to repair the existing crown. In some cases, a complete crown replacement might be necessary.
Considering Your Options: Repair vs. Replace
Here’s a quick breakdown of the repair vs. replacement scenario:
- Repair: If the damage is minor, your dentist might be able to fix the chip or crack using a particular type of resin. This is usually a quicker and more affordable option.
- Replacement: For more extensive damage, a complete crown replacement will be necessary to ensure optimal protection and function of the tooth.
Cost Considerations
Let’s address the elephant in the room: price. The cost of dental crown replacement can fluctuate significantly based on factors like the material used (e.g., porcelain, metal), the complexity of the procedure, and your geographic location. And if you’re wondering ‘how long do dental crowns last,’ the answer is that it depends on various factors, including the quality of the crown, your oral hygiene practices, and your overall dental health.
Emergency Preparedness: What to Do if Your Crown Breaks Off
Let’s say the unthinkable happens, and your crown decides to take a vacation – straight out of your mouth! Here’s what you should do:
- Find the piece (if possible). If you can find the broken crown piece, bring it to your dental appointment.
- Schedule an emergency crown replacement appointment with your dentist. Don’t wait! Leaving a broken crown untreated can worsen the situation.
- Protect the exposed tooth. In the meantime, you can use sugar-free gum as a temporary cover for the exposed tooth to minimise pain.
Preventing the Cracks: Keeping Your Crown Strong
While dental crowns are designed to be durable, there are steps you can take to help them last longer:
- Avoid biting down on hard objects. This can put undue stress on the crown and lead to cracks or chips.
- Practice good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, use mouthwash as your dentist recommends and floss daily.
- Limit your intake of sugary and acidic foods and drinks. These can contribute to tooth decay and weaken the underlying tooth.
- See your dentist for regular check-ups. Regular dental exams can help identify potential problems early on and prevent them from escalating.
Ignoring a broken crown is risky and could lead to serious dental problems. Don’t let a small crack or chip turn into a major catastrophe. Schedule an appointment with your dentist at Cosmic Smile today, and let us help you restore your smile to its full glory. Remember, a healthy smile is a happy smile!
