Question: What should I do if my crown breaks?
Explanation: A broken crown means the restoration itself has fractured, leaving part of it on the tooth. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns may chip their porcelain layer, exposing dark metal. All-ceramic crowns can fracture through. The underlying tooth is often exposed and sensitive. Keep any fragments. Avoid chewing on that side and keep the area meticulously clean, as the exposed tooth core is vulnerable to decay. A dentist will assess whether the crown can be repaired, whether the underlying tooth is sound, and whether a new crown is needed.
Related Questions:
Can a broken crown be repaired rather than replaced?
Small porcelain chips can sometimes be polished smooth or repaired with composite bonding, particularly in less visible areas. Bonding to porcelain is less durable than to enamel. Fractures through the full thickness of the crown almost always require remaking it.
Is the tooth underneath a broken crown damaged?
Not necessarily, but it must be assessed. Crowns often fracture because the tooth beneath has decayed and lost support. Radiographs and removal of the remaining crown material reveal the true state of the underlying tooth structure.
Why did my crown break?
Common causes are grinding, biting something hard, insufficient thickness of ceramic, an unbalanced bite placing excessive force on one crown, or decay undermining the tooth beneath. Identifying the cause matters, since replacing the crown without addressing the cause invites the same outcome.
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