Dental crowns are part of a tooth restoration procedure that surrounds and covers a damaged tooth by forming a cap above the gum line. This restores the normal look of the tooth, repairs the damage, and restores natural function. Sometimes, however, despite the strength of dental crowns, it can get broken and damaged.
If this happens to you, don’t fret. We can many times repair your broken crown here at John P. O' Grady, DMD, in Danville, CA, can easily repair your broken dental crown with help from our dentist, Dr. John O’Grady. So how are broken dental crowns repaired?
How a Crown Breaks
Due to accidents, undesirable personal habits, and other instances, the integrity of your crown can be compromised, causing it to break. These causes typically include:
- A blow to your face
- Grinding of your teeth
- Falling from a substantial height
- Biting on something hard
- Through normal wear and tear of the teeth
What to Do If Your Dental Crown Breaks
The moment that your dental crown chips or cracks, you must notify your dentist immediately. This will allow Dr. O’Grady to give you initial instructions on how to deal with the broken dental crown and advise you how soon you must have it repaired.
You must also examine the area that has been affected to see if there are any missing pieces or if the dental crown has become loose. It’s not advisable to pull the crown off yourself, and be careful you do not swallow it.
With the damage to the crown, it is normal to experience temperature sensitivity. You may apply a piece of gauze to the damaged part of the tooth if you experience bleeding from the broken crown. Make sure that you rinse your mouth properly to avoid inflammation and infection from the breakage.
How Broken Crowns are Repaired
An experienced dentist can do the repair procedure with the use of composite bonding. With this procedure, the composite material will be bonded to the porcelain to repair it. This is the same composite material that dentists use for bonding and fillings.
In case you are dealing with a major dental crown fracture, this may not the way to repair it. You may have to deal with the reality that it is better to invest in a new dental crown instead of having your old one repaired. Your Danville CA dentist will be able to provide you with the best advice on how to move forward with your condition.
Got a Broken Dental Crown? We Can Help
Arrange an evaluation with your dentist here at John P. O' Grady, DMD in Danville, CA, Dr. John O’Grady by calling (925) 820-5585.