I have a cracked tooth. I don't know how badly the tooth is cracked. I went for my crown the other day and when I tested the temporary crown by chewing delicately on pasta, it is no better.My doctor said the next step would be a root canal and when the endodontist looks at the tooth with a microscope he would be able to see how badly it is cracked. The last step would be extraction and implantation. I am very concerned about the process (including general anesthesia,) cost and time involved in getting an implant and a bridge is not a viable consideration.If I do have the root canal and the tooth is cracked beneath the gum line I understand this mean I would need to have the tooth extracted. Why? After the root canal, can't the new crown be slapped on the tooth and move along? Isn't the purpose of the crown to protect the tooth from further damage by supporting the tooth? I read that sometimes even with the root canal (removal of nerve) I might be able to feel pressure pain from biting. But couldn't I just stay off the tooth with a crown and manage with the knowledge that an adeptly completed crown would still protect my tooth? I just want some clarification here as to why the crown on top of a deeply cracked tooth that has had a root canal wouldn't work?Thanks.
Answers (2)
From board-certified doctors and trusted medical professionals
It's very difficult to make out a dark gum line in your photo, but Zirconium crowns do not show a dark metal line. If your bridge is truly Zirconium, then the dark line has to be bacteria that has colonized at the gum line. If the bridge is not Zirconium, then the line is most likely...
This certainly is a possibility and oftentimes can work quite well. I f you have virgin natural teeth that are a good color, you might want to consider other options such as orthodontics. Crowns do cut away tooth structure and once gone ,it cannot be replaced.Talk to a dentist and see what they...
There are times when we cement perm crowns with temp cement just as your dentist did to ensure their comfort,etc. I would definitely not have them cut off and replaced. Just keep up with regular checkups and have the dentist check them each time at the margins and try to remove them . f...
