Why a Crown May Be Best for a Cracked Tooth

With today’s advanced dental technology and materials, many patients can fully restore their worn or cracked teeth without needing a full dental crown. For instance, tooth bonding or a porcelain veneer can often restore the tooth without your dentist having to modify most of its structure. However, dental crowns are still often necessary to completely restore teeth that have suffered from significant dental damage. After thoroughly examining your tooth, your dentist will help you decide if a dental crown is best for your cracked tooth, or if you’d benefit from a more conservative treatment option.

What a Crack Means for Your Tooth

The top portion of your tooth, called the crown, is comprised of layers, with the center chamber (pulp) located at its center. The nerves and blood vessels within the pulp are protected by the main structure of your tooth, called dentin, and the highly mineralized outer layer known as enamel. When a crack develops, it usually affects the enamel and dentin, and the severity of the fracture will determine which treatment is best to restore your tooth.

When Capping the Tooth Is Necessary

The thing about a cracked tooth is that it won’t heal; the crack will remain even if you do restore the tooth. Any pressure can cause the crack to deepen and widen, eventually becoming too extensive to restore. By capping a significantly cracked tooth with a custom-designed dental crown, your dentist can help you protect the healthy tooth structure that remains and avoid more serious tooth damage. The crown will help hold the tooth structure together while simultaneously absorbing the pressure of your bite to protect the tooth.

Fix Your Cracked Tooth with a Customized Crown

If your tooth is cracked, then a custom-made dental crown could be the best way to protect it for life. To learn more, schedule an appointment by calling Lathrop Dental Center in Katy, TX at 832-437-3849. We proudly welcome patients and families from Katy, Fulshear, Weston Lakes, Simonton, Richmond, Rosenberg, Brookshire, Wallis, Orchard, Cypress, Sealy, Columbus, and all surrounding communities.