How Much Tooth Surface Do You Need to Apply a Crown?
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You’ve probably heard of a dental crown — a cap-like cover customized specifically for a damaged or decayed tooth. But have you ever wondered how a crown is applied to the tooth? Or rather, how much tooth is even needed for a crown to fit snugly on top of it?
Dental crowns are a great way to protect your teeth, especially if they’re prone to getting tooth decay. The crown not only protects the core of the tooth from bacteria but also makes sure it is still functional. So, if you’re looking to get your pearly whites crowned or simply want to learn more about the process, keep on reading this blog.
The Process of Placing Dental Crowns
Before finding out how much tooth is needed for a crown placement, you first need to understand how it is placed and when you might need it. Typically, a dental crown is suggested to a patient if most of their tooth has been damaged or chipped off. Other times, tooth decay might also warrant a crown cover, as that helps to keep the bacteria away.
The first thing your dentist does is clean out the affected tooth and polish away the decayed tissue matter. Once clean, an impression of your tooth is taken so the crown can be molded accordingly. This ensures that the crown matches the rest of your teeth and looks natural enough to blend in.
While the actual crown is being made, it is likely that the dentist will place a temporary crown over the tooth to keep it shielded for a few weeks. However, when the dental crown is complete, you will be required to go back to the dentist and permanently get the crown bonded to your tooth.
How Much Tooth is Needed for a Crown?
Now that you understand the process of applying a dental crown, we can finally move on to understanding the structure of it. Typically, you need at least some sort of base for the crown to sit on. That is to say, you cannot fix a crown if you barely have a tooth remaining, as there won’t be enough room for it to bond.
This is why, as a rule of thumb, most dentists claim that you need at least one-third or a quarter of a healthy tooth to qualify for a crown placement. The tooth must also not be decayed, damaged, or broken in any way and should be visible. This is so the crown can easily get attached to the tooth’s surface without any complications. For instance, if you did not have a healthy tooth or a stable root, applying a crown would only cause more pain. It could also lead to the tooth getting fractured, the crown breaking off, or a case of heightened tooth sensitivity.
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What’s The Takeaway?
Ultimately, you need a quarter of your tooth present that is healthy and bacteria-free to undergo dental crown placement. Dr. Collins is here to guide you on everything you need to know about dental crowns and more, so make sure to contact Rosenberg Dental & Implant Center at (281) 369-9242 or visit our clinic for an in-person evaluation.