Can I get a crown if my tooth is very short?

Question

my front tooth is very short. I had a crown and it came off. can I get a crown even if I barely have a tooth?

Sarah Thompson, DMD · Answer

Based on your description, it sounds like you have only a crown prep remaining, in which looks like a short tooth.  If this is the case, it is not difficult at all to re-prep the tooth and place another crown.  It would be in your best interest to take care of this tooth very soon, because not taking care of it can result in you having to have that short tooth pulled.  Good luck and I hope this helps. Follow me if you have more questions.Sarah Thompson, DMD

Norman Huefner, DDS · Answer

Certainly short teeth can have a crown, but the retention (the ability of the crown to stay cemented onto the underlying tooth) is greatly influenced by the size and length of the tooth above the gum line.Alternatives include having orthodontics to extrude the tooth, giving more tooth structure above the gum line.Or, crown lengthening, meaning removing some gum and bone around the tooth.  This is often a great way to treat back teeth that are short, but front teeth may end up looking too long and possibly esthetically objectionable.In some cases dentists must resort to doing a root canal on the tooth, then placing a post and core to build up some "tooth structure" for the crown to stay adhered to.As a last resort, as happens many times when a tooth breaks off at the gum line, is to get an extraction and dental implant or possibly a bridge.If your crown keeps coming off I'm sure your dentist is as concerned as you are and can recommend the appropriate procedure to enable him/her to make a much more retentive crown for you.Good luck!

Albert Kurpis, DDS · Answer

If a tooth is clinically short, it may be a candidate for crown lengthening surgery.  This procedure removes gum and underlying bone tissue to provide more tooth length for retention of the final crown.

Can I get a crown if my tooth is very short?

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Can I get a crown if my tooth is very short?

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