How Do You Know if a Crown Has to Be Redone...or Can Be Fixed?

A properly done crown should look and feel very much like a normal tooth. It should not trap food, have gaps or have bad smells. In my opinion, these are signs of an improperly done crown, however, I would have to look at it and take an x-ray to diagnose it. If you had this problem pretty much since the time the crown was put in, you should have brought it up then and if your dentist did not want to fix it then sought a second opinion. After 5 years it will hard to tell if the problems were there form the begining or have developed over time.

Having said that, even the best crown will eventually need to be replaced due to wear and tear but it may last 7-10 years or much longer depending on the abuse or care you do to it.

Putting a filling is patchwork and sometimes it may be OK, but if I were you I would seek a second opinion. Ask your physician or another dental specialist like a periodontist, oral surgeon, or orthodintist if they recomend someone to evaluate your crown.

Good luck

Dr. T 

Sounds like a replacement will look and feel better for you.  Most insurances allow a new crown every 5 years.  A filling costs less but is only temporary here.  The crown should last longer in most cases but the gums appear to be part of the problem too.  Discuss this well before a new crown is made.

Only a qualified, honest dentist can answer this question for you aftere looking in your mouth and at your X-rays. Sounds to me like you don't trust your dentist. That's BAD!

If you are getting an odor, there is a chance that the tooth may have decay. The problem with teeth that have had root canals is, that even if you do get decay, there is no nerve in the tooth so you will not feel any pain. Either way, having a space and getting food impaction will affect the longevity of the tooth so please have it looked at.

I do not recommend having a filling done because that is an easy solution. What i recommend is having a new crown done and of course check with a periodontist why your gums are receding, you have to take care of that problem as well.  Good Luck!

Placing a filling is a temporary fix and you may be hiding and masking problems such as decay under the crown. If food gets impacted, so does bacteria and since your tooth is root canalled you have no sensation to warn you about any issues.

insurance companies pay for replacements in five years. and this should tell you that 5 years is basically average for a crown to last.

 

 

Any patches or repairs really are just temporary fixes.  If there is decay or other reasons to address a crown, a new one should be made.

 

This one lasted for 5 years, so while you paid a lot 5 years ago, there very likely will not be a price break for a new one.  Even insurance companies will pay for a crown every 5 years.

 

One should remember that nothing in dentistry lasts forever.  Some things last longer than others, but one should not expect ANYTHING to last the rest of your life.