Dental Cap or Crown
If the crack is a little too much for dental bonding or filling, then a dental crown may be required. To cover the tooth with a dental crown, the tooth must first be filed down into a small stump to allow for the crown to sit comfortably on top.
Dental crowns can be made from one of four ways: metal, porcelain fused to metal, all resin and ceramic. Of all of these, the metal crown is by far the most durable and reliable. However, due to the color of the material, it is deemed incredibly unsightly which has led to many more patients opting for ceramic crowns.
As there is a lot of work that is needed to ensure that a crown is fit successfully, you will be required to take multiple trips to the dentist before you can put the procedure behind you. In your first visit, the dentist will clean out the crack and sand the tooth down into a small, smooth stump that will allow for the crown to fit correctly. An impression of your teeth will then be taken so that a crown that fits perfectly can be crafted in a dental lab using your preferred material. A temporary crown will be put into place until you receive your new crown.
On your second visit, your temporary crown will be removed and replaced with your newly designed crown. The dental cap will then be held into place using dental cement so that the crown doesn’t fall out in future. If the crown isn’t fitted properly, this will cause discomfort and will require it to be refitted urgently with an emergency dentist.
If you’re suffering from multiple cracked teeth, a dental bridge can also be used to cover the multiple teeth. Having a dental bridge requires the same dental procedure as a dental crown.