Can a Broken Tooth Be Saved with a Dental Crown?

A broken tooth can be both painful and alarming, but in many cases, it can be saved with the help of a dental crown. At Life Dental & Orthodontics in Walnut Creek, CA, our team provides advanced restorative dentistry solutions — including high-quality dental crowns created in our state-of-the-art on-site lab — to protect damaged teeth and restore their function and appearance. If you've chipped, cracked, or fractured a tooth, a dental crown might be the right option to preserve your smile. Still, there are some situations when a tooth is so severely damaged that extraction and a dental implant may be necessary. Keep reading to learn more about how and when a crown can be used on a broken tooth.

What is a dental crown?

A dental crown is a custom-made, highly durable cap that fits over a damaged or compromised tooth. Crowns are designed to protect the tooth from further harm, restore its strength, and improve its appearance. They are often used to address issues like fractures, severe cavities, or weakened teeth following root canal therapy.

When is a crown needed for a broken tooth?

Dental crowns are typically recommended for patients who have sustained significant dental damage. Some common situations when a dental crown might be necessary include:

• A fractured or cracked tooth
• Severe decay that cannot be repaired with a filling
• A tooth that has undergone root canal therapy
• Worn-down teeth due to grinding or clenching

By encasing the affected tooth, a crown provides added strength and prevents further damage while blending seamlessly with the rest of your smile.

What are the benefits of a dental crown for a broken tooth?

Dental crowns offer both functional and cosmetic benefits. In addition to protecting a broken or weakened tooth, they allow you to chew, speak, and smile with confidence. Crowns are crafted to match the size, shape, and color of your natural teeth, ensuring a natural-looking result. At Life Dental & Orthodontics, we are proud to have an on-site lab that allows us to create durable, high-quality crowns that look like real teeth and function the same way.

Can a crown save a severely damaged tooth?

In many cases, a dental crown can save a tooth that might otherwise need to be extracted. However, it's important to address a broken tooth as soon as possible to avoid complications like infection or further damage. During your consultation, our team will assess the condition of your tooth to determine whether a crown or another restorative solution is the ideal option.

If your tooth is broken or damaged so severely that it cannot be saved with a crown, we may recommend a tooth extraction followed by the placement of a dental implant and implant-supported crown. In either case, we will guide you each step of the way through the process of repairing, strengthening, or replacing a broken tooth with a crown to give you back the comfort and confidence you deserve.

Address your damaged tooth and restore your smile with dental crowns in Walnut Creek, CA

If you're dealing with a broken, cracked, or otherwise damaged tooth, don't wait to seek treatment. At Life Dental & Orthodontics, our caring team is dedicated to helping patients maintain healthy, beautiful smiles with personalized care and a complete range of modern restorative dental services, including dental crowns. Contact our Walnut Creek, CA, advanced dental practice today to schedule your consultation for dental restoration and find out if a dental crown is right for you.