Make Your Smile Your Crowning Glory with the Best Dentists in Dublin

A dental crown (also known as a “cap”) is an excellent solution for patients with damaged, decayed or weakened teeth. The crown itself is an artificial tooth that sits securely over the remaining old tooth. Any damaged or brittle areas are removed from the tooth beforehand, allowing the new crown to fit comfortably on top and making it far more durable. They can be made from porcelain, gold or a combination of different materials.

A crown treatment is a far more common solution than you may think, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you think you need our help.

There are several types of tooth fractures and breaks, each requiring different treatment. These include:

Minor cracks – Also called “craze lines,” these are surface cracks that affect only the outer white surface of the tooth, called the enamel. Minor cracks rarely need treatment. However, we may lightly polish the area to smooth out any rough spots and will advise you if there is anything to be careful of.

Cracked tooth – This type of fracture involves the whole tooth, from the chewing surface all the way down to the nerve. The pieces remain in place, but the crack gradually spreads. Cracks can sometimes be repaired with composite (white) filling material, but more often will need a Cerec or a crown to prevent the crack from getting worse. If the pulp (nerve and other live tissues) is damaged, you may need a root canal treatment as well.

Chips – Minor chips to a tooth don’t always need treatment. We may suggest repairing the damage with dental bonding material to prevent it from getting worse or to make the tooth look better. If the chip is very small, we may just polish and smooth the chipped area.

Broken cusp – These breaks affect the pointed chewing surfaces (the cusps) of the teeth. They usually do not affect the pulp and are unlikely to cause much pain. We may repair the damage to restore the tooth’s shape. However, a Cerec or crown will be required if the damage is anything but minor, as a break like that can lead to infection and further damage.

Serious breaks – These breaks may go deep enough to expose the nerve. They almost always cause the tooth to hurt and be sensitive. Usually, the broken part of the tooth will bleed. You will need root canal treatment to remove the exposed nerve and probably a crown to restore the tooth to normal function so you can eat and chew properly. Breaks like this require immediate dental work.

Vertical breaks or split root – These cracks start in the root of the tooth and extend upward toward the chewing surface. These breaks are often painful because the area around the root may be inflamed or infected. In most cases, the tooth will have to be removed and should be replaced with a dental implant or bridge.

Decay-induced break – In this case, the tooth has broken or crumbled because a cavity weakened it from the inside out. We will evaluate the cavity and recommend the best way to restore the tooth. In some cases, a filling is enough to keep the tooth healthy. If the decay is extensive however, the tooth may require root canal treatment, a Cerec treatment or a crown.