Most people are familiar with the concept of a broken or chipped tooth, and they know a trip to their dentist is in order if such an event should occur. However, many people are less familiar with the occurrence of a chipped crown. Crowns are very resilient and built to withstand the challenging oral environment of biting, masticating (chewing) and swallowing a wide variety of different types of food.
Although crowns are quite robust and typically last about 10 to 20 years, they are sometimes vulnerable to wear and tear.
It is possible to chip or crack a crown generally for the same reasons as what can befall a natural tooth.
A crown can incur damage in an accident or facial injury, extreme hot or cold temperatures or when an individual bites down on a very hard piece of food, such as a nut or carrot. Fortunately, it is possible to repair a chipped or cracked crown depending upon the following:
● The crown’s location in the mouth
● Extent of the damage
● Age of the crown
If the repair is minor and the crown has a reasonable amount of life left, a dentist may determine the best course of action is to repair the crown. If the crown is toward the front of the mouth and the damage incurred affects the patient’s appearance, if a repair is not feasible, a dentist may replace the entire crown. If the crown is very old, a replacement is most likely recommended as a repair will not noticeably extend the life of the crown.
For most patients, crowns are a welcome solution for a variety of dental issues. They provide a great solution to enable patients to enjoy countless meals and a beautiful smile. If you’re looking for a new dental home or it’s time to schedule your next dental checkup, call our Napa office at (707) 603-4955 or call our Santa Rosa office at (707) 578-3118 or visit our website to request an appointment! Thank you for being a part of the Smile Country Dental family, and we look forward to seeing you soon!