What to Do When Your Crown Chips: Can Dental Crowns Be Replaced?

 

We know that dental crowns are supposed to restore the tooth’s shape, size and appearance when there has been some damage to the tooth, but without proper care and maintenance, they themselves can crack or chip¹ or become damaged over time due to various factors such as trauma, decay or biting on hard objects.

 

Is it common for dental crowns to chip or crack?

Before we go deeper, let us first explore about dental crown types and how are dental crowns made. A dental crown can be made of metals, porcelain-fused-to-metal, resin, ceramic or porcelain. While it is true that dental crowns do not chip that easily because they are made to be strong², the fact is that chips do happen sometimes. Crowns can crack or chip when you fall, grind your teeth or bite down on something hard. 

The durability of dental crowns is about 5 to 15 years or longer. However, porcelain crowns seem to be more delicate and may need to be replaced more frequently. Porcelain crowns can chip but if the chip is not that big, it can be repaired with resin that matches the crown's colour. 

At Dental Designs, we use crowns made of sturdy, modern ceramic material that not only has a long track record of success with patients but allows us to conserve more tooth material during the bonding process as well. 

What are the signs that a dental crown has chipped or cracked? 

If your crown is chipped or cracked, you should know it right away. The tooth will feel jagged and there might be some pain if the natural tooth underneath still has intact nerves and blood supply (if you haven’t had a root canal).  

 

What should you do if you have a chipped dental crown? 

• You can evaluate your damaged tooth by checking in the mirror. If there are loose pieces, do not attempt to stick them back on your tooth. If the crown is loose, talk to a dentist as soon as possible.
• Gently rub your tongue over the injured tooth to feel for jagged edges. If the tooth feels reasonably smooth, your situation is likely not an emergency. Still, it is always advisable to seek help from the dentist when there is a problem with your crown.
• If your crown falls off completely, do not attempt to put it back on. Store the crown in a small container or plastic bag and bring it to your dentist. You should also avoid eating with the tooth that has the chipped crown.
• An over-the-counter pain relief medicine like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help to manage mild pain. However, if the pain is significant or if there is tooth sensitivity or significant bleeding, you should seek help from the dentist immediately.

Depending on the type of crown there are various replacement options such as ceramic crowns, porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns or zirconia crowns. Your dentist will consider factors such as durability, aesthetics and functionality when determining the most suitable replacement crown for you.

 

 

Can you fix a chipped dental crown? 

Fret not, it is possible to repair a chipped porcelain crown with resin. A composite material like resin can be bonded to the porcelain during this repair process. A composite is a material used in fillings and bonding. 

An alternative for small cracks or chipped crowns would be to file the crown to smoothen and polish it. This can either be temporary or permanent depending on how it looks and feels in the end. In some cases, if the chip is minor and doesn't compromise the integrity of the crown or underlying tooth, the crown may be repaired or smoothed out. 

However, if the fracture is major, it may be impossible to repair it. In this case, you may want to do a crown replacement. 

How can I prevent my dental crown from chipping or breaking? 

There are some diets you may want to avoid to protect your dental crowns from chips such as: 

• Hard and crunchy foods – such as pretzels, seeds or nuts
• Sticky foods – such as candy
• Chewing on ice
• Raw vegetables
  
  

In addition to avoiding certain foods, you may want to avoid using your teeth as tools to open or rip things. These can damage not just your crown but also your natural teeth. Remember to brush and floss regularly so your dental crown lasts longer. Schedule a regular appointment about once every six months with your dentist for dental cleanings and checkups. 

Is it time for your regular dental check-up for your crown? Just drop us a message here and we’ll be happy to assist you with scheduling an appointment.

Find out more about Dental Crowns with Dental Designs today!

References

1. Pjetursson BE, Valente NA, Strasding M, Zwahlen M, Liu S, Sailer I. A systematic review of the survival and complication rates of zirconia-ceramic and metal-ceramic single crowns. Clin Oral Implants Res. 2018 Oct;29 Suppl 16:199-214. doi: 10.1111/clr.13306. PMID: 30328190.
2. Zhang, Y., Chai, H., Lee, J. J.-W., & Lawn, B. R. (2012). Chipping Resistance of Graded Zirconia Ceramics for Dental Crowns. Journal of Dental Research, 91(3), 311–315. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034511434356