When a tooth is extensively broken down, it may require a dental crown to protect it from loss due to further fracture. The crown, made out of either porcelain, porcelain fused to gold alloy, or gold alloy is a restoration which wraps around the tooth strengthening the tooth structure bringing a broken tooth back to full and comfortable function.
Sometimes, a tooth fracture is noticed on a routine dental examination. You may not know your tooth is fractured, and the dentist will inform you of the condition. If it is a minor, surface fracture, often the tooth is observed for a while to determine if treatment will be needed. If a piece of your tooth has broken off, or if a tooth has become tender to biting pressure, and you find yourself avoiding chewing on that side of your mouth, you should quickly visit the dentist as the fracture may worsen and cause loss of the tooth. Your dentist will know if a dental crown will help you. He/she will test the tooth to determine the extent of the fracture, and will give you your options. Sometimes, a filling is all that is needed, but usually, fracture is treated with a crown or porcelain or gold onlay (a partial crown).
If you have had root canal treatment on a tooth in the back of your mouth, in most cases, a crown will be needed to prevent loss of the tooth due to fracture. Root canal therapy removes the center of the tooth, leaving the structure weak. It is always necessary to have a crown in this case. Front teeth will often be restored with a filling after root canal as the forces on these teeth are greatly less than the forces placed on back teeth.
Materials for crowns are either porcelain, porcelain fused to gold, or gold. Gold is usually reserved for the teeth at the very back of the mouth as the forces at the back of the mouth are greatest, and gold does not break. Further forward in the mouth either porcelain or porcelain fused to gold will be recommended. These crowns are more esthetically pleasing, especially the all porcelain option. You should know though that the all porcelain crown is the least durable.
Ask Dr. Gregory Apsey about his dental warranty program for crowns and bridges to protect your investment. With good regular care, your dental crown should last many years to come.