Is It Possible to Have a Crown Redone? Will It Mean I Need a Root Canal?

Dental crowns are a long lasting treatment. They can last over 20 years in the right circumstances. We have crowns now that are both highly aesthetic and very strong. Not that long ago we still had a lot of crowns that looked dark at the edge or for back teeth, showed silver at the edge.

A crown can be easily re-done. I does require some additional trimming to make a new crown, but if the current crown is in good condition, then you will likely not need too much treatment. You are correct in thinking that every time a crown is removed and replaced it does have some affect on the health of the tooth. Re-doing a crown multiple times does increase the chance that the tooth may ultimately need a root canal.

Some labs and dentists are fanatical about making a very natural crown. Others are not so concerned and there are many very average crowns out there. In general, a new crown ought to be able to be designed such that it IS very natural, but make sure your dentist knows exactly what you are concerned about BEFORE starting this re-crowning process.

If you have been really disappointed in the size or shape of other crowns, you may need a better dentist and a better lab. If you are REALLY concerned about this going well, the dentist may have a wax replica made before he starts so you can see and get a sense for the target results. Oftentimes, the new temporary crown can be modified to be similar to the new final result. You can test drive the plastic crown to get an idea of what the new final one will be like.

In general, this should be able to be done easily, but discuss your concerns first, and make sure you are getting a thoughtful reply from your dentist and staff. Listen for clues as to HOW they are going to address your concerns.

 

Hi:There is always an increased chance of root canal when there is work done on a existing crown.  You can definitely send the crown back to the lab prior to cementation if you are not satisfied.Best,Dr. Maddahi

Thank you for your quesion. Like any medical procedure, there are always risks. In my opinion it is minimal  though in comparison to leaving bulky crowns on. Bulkiness  can cause inflammation of the gums, which might lead to gum recession, teeth sensitivity and gum disease in the long term.
In my office, before cementing ANY permanent dental work, including crowns , we show it to the patient to make sure he/she is happy with a final result. In case, which is very rare, patient wants to change/modify something, we absolutely send it back as long as it is a reasonable request.