A piece of porcelain came away while you were eating, and now the tongue keeps finding the rough spot. From Burlington or nearer, the first step is deciding whether that crown can be repaired or should be remade.
A chip in a crown tends to happen at an ordinary moment: biting into crusty bread, an olive pit, a fork against the teeth. Afterwards the question is practical. Can the damaged crown be smoothed or patched, or has it reached the point where a new one would serve the tooth better?
Crown replacement means removing the existing restoration and making a new one, and it should only go ahead when there is a clear reason. Damage is one. Others include a poor fit, decay that has to be reached from underneath, or an appearance that has stopped working for you.
Underneath, the tooth itself may have changed since the crown was placed. That is why the examination covers the remaining structure, the gum, any symptoms and past work, not just the visible chip. Tell us about colour, comfort and any earlier repairs, and we will set out which options are realistic and why.
Crowns are not replaced on a schedule. The decision rests on what the damage involves and on the health of the tooth below, so that a restoration with useful life left is not removed without reason.
Small chips can sometimes be polished or bonded. When a large section is missing, the underlying material is exposed, or repairs keep coming away, the dentist considers whether a patch could still give proper shape and chewing function.
A fracture that reaches the edge of the crown can affect its seal against the tooth. Examination helps establish whether decay or a fit problem is involved and whether the crown must come off to treat it.
On a front tooth, a patched area may not match the rest of the crown. Your expectations for appearance are worth discussing, along with the pros and cons of replacing a crown that otherwise still works.
Mention sharp pain, swelling or any looseness along with the chip. These can shift the assessment and the urgency of treatment.
Remaking a damaged crown gives an opportunity to design it around the current tooth and bite. Material, contour and appearance are chosen together, with the amount of supporting structure and your cleaning routine in mind, so the new crown is suited to the forces it will face.
Still, a new crown does not secure the tooth’s future on its own. Remaining tooth structure, the pulp or an earlier root canal, gum health and other factors continue to affect how it does. Ask which of these apply to the tooth in question.
If the crown chipped because of heavy biting or grinding, or decay was found under it, the plan should address that. Ask how any underlying issue will be handled before the final crown goes on.
A back tooth that does heavy chewing and a front tooth people see every day place different demands on a crown. The suggested material should be explained in that context, not offered as one best answer for everyone.
Maybe the old crown felt bulky, trapped food or caught your tongue even before it chipped. Mention it, because shape, contacts and cleaning access can all be refined while the replacement is planned.
Visit numbers vary with the tooth and the treatment needed. Ask beforehand about the temporary crown, comfort, fees and how the plan would change if the tooth under the broken crown needs further care.
The dentist examines the chipped crown, the gum and your bite, asks about symptoms and uses appropriate records. Together you clarify why replacement is being considered and what cannot be known while the crown is still on.
After you consent and comfort measures are in place, the crown is removed with a suitable technique. With the tooth visible, any new findings are discussed before work that changes the agreed plan begins.
Supporting treatment is completed or arranged, and records are taken so the new crown can be made. Shade and form are discussed where relevant, and a temporary crown is placed while you wait.
The fit, contacts and bite are assessed and you can comment on how it looks and feels. When it is placed, the team explains first-day care, cleaning and any follow-up.
The tooth and gum around a new crown still need care every day. If the chip happened during clenching or biting something hard, ask what might reduce the chance of it happening again.
Guidance may depend on the cement and on whether you are still numb. Ask before you go when normal chewing is fine, and take care with your lips and tongue while sensation returns.
Brush along the margin and clean between teeth as shown. If floss catches or one area is difficult to reach, say so, and the team can check the contour and suggest a suitable aid.
Sensitivity that continues, pain when biting or a crown that touches before the others should be looked at. Testing it on hard foods, or assuming every sensation is normal, is not a good substitute.
Patient information: ADA MouthHealthy — dental crowns
These questions often come up after a crown breaks. Bring your own about looks, timing and what to do with the tooth in the meantime.
Bring the broken crown to our Bronte Street practice and we will examine the damaged crown, check the tooth beneath it and explain whether a repair or a new crown is the better route, with the steps for each.
If the break has left a sharp edge, the tooth hurts or the crown is moving, mention it when you call so the team can arrange suitable timing.
