How Long Can I Delay Fixing a Crack in a Tooth Crown?

My second molar has a hairline crack. I got four crowns in 2002, so they are aging. Last month, I felt the crack as my tongue ran alongside the side of my tooth. But now I can see the crack, and I can feel it with my finger. How long can I delay getting it fixed? I am leaving for Pennsylvania in early July to give my sister a break from caregiving for our mom. Is this an emergency? I don’t want to be in another state and need a new dentist for a crown. It would take me away from the reason I am traveling. Thanks. Journee from Pittsburgh, PA

Journee,

Although the hairline crack in your crown is not a dental emergency, it probably will not be too long before the crown breaks.

How Long Can You Delay Fixing a Cracked Dental Crown?

It is usually not a concern if a tooth or dental crown has a craze line or hairline crack. But if you could feel the damage in the past but now see it, your tooth is getting worse.

We recommend asking your dentist to examine your cracked crown and the other crowns to determine the extent of the damage. Depending on the condition of your crowns, your dentist may recommend replacing all of them because they are old. Also, talk to your dentist about your travel plans. If you may be at risk of the crown breaking while in Pennsylvania, it is better to find out now so you can replace the crown before traveling. Dentists who use CAD/CAM technology can make a new crown for you in one visit.

Ensure your dentist has the cosmetic dentistry training to color match your crowns with your natural teeth and ensure your bite is well balanced.

Dr. Thomas J. Goebel, a Moline, Illinois, cosmetic dentist, sponsors this post.

Please give step-by-step instructions to safely pull my own tooth

Please help. In November, I started feeling a toothache on and off. Now the tooth is starting to hurt really bad, but it’s not an emergency yet. I take Advil, and I can get along without horrible pain. Two weeks ago, I saw my dentist, and she wanted to do a root canal and a crown, but I do not have money for that. I can’t even afford her tooth extraction fee. I am down to part-time work on 2 different jobs.

Before it gets even worse, I just need step-by-step instructions on how to safely pull my tooth at home without doing any damage to other teeth, cutting myself, or doing some damage. It is not my intention to be reckless about this. I do not need an emergency room bill either. I Googled it and found instructions online, but nothing looks like it’s really from a dentist. This is a top left second molar tooth with a filling that I think either fell out or is no good. Thank you for helping me without making me feel bad about this. Abel from Colorado

Abel –

Thank you for contacting our office. Unfortunately, we cannot provide you with step-by-step instructions to safely pull your tooth at home. We would feel horrible about you receiving instructions on pulling your tooth and finding out later that something went wrong. In addition to the factors you mentioned, it will be difficult to know if you have removed all parts of the tooth or if anything remains. Please understand that we want to help. We will advise you in the best way for your long-term oral health.

Instructions for Extracting Your Tooth—Know the Dangers

Even if you find instructions for extracting your tooth, it is not wise. Please consider that a toothache is a symptom of an infection. An examination is needed to determine if the infection has spread into the jawbone or other teeth. Even if you successfully remove the tooth, the infection may still be there. You will need root canal treatment to get rid of the infection. Your dentist knows the condition of your tooth and recommends a crown because a tooth is weak after root canal treatment.

Think about the consequences of removing your tooth:

• How will you ensure that the instruments you use are sterile for use in your mouth?
• What will you do if you have excessive bleeding, pain, or swelling during or after the extraction?
• What if the tooth roots are deeply embedded, and only part of the tooth comes out?
• How will you get rid of the tooth infection and prevent it from spreading to other teeth?

Save a Tooth Whenever Possible

The good news is that the tooth may not need to be extracted at all. We recommend that you call a few dentists in the area, explain your urgent need for dental care (it is an emergency), as well as your financial situation. You can find a dentist who offers payment plans and financing and will give you the correct treatment for your tooth.

We wish you the best, and we urge you not to treat the tooth yourself.

Dr. Thomas J. Goebel, a Moline Illinois dentist, sponsors this post.

Can I see an emergency dentist and get a new crown right away?

My old crown fell off my left front teeth, and I think I need a new one. I’m going out of town next Friday to visit my family in NY. I will be gone until January. If I can get in to see an emergency dentist, will I be able to get a new crown within the next three days? I don’t want to take the risk of being out of town with a loose crown and having my vacation ruined. Thanks. Ezra from Colorado

Ezra– An emergency dentist will examine your crown and bond it back to your natural tooth if possible. Unless the emergency dentist provides same-day crowns—and you are a candidate for one—it is unlikely that you will be able to get a new crown right away. And still, the dentist may not have time in their schedule to make the crown during your visit.

Is a Same-Day Crown the Best Option for a Front Tooth?

Additionally, the location of the crowned tooth affects the type of crown that is best to use as a replacement. If a front tooth is involved, a porcelain crown made by a laboratory will produce more natural-looking results than a crown that a dentist completes the same day. A ceramist at a lab can add a layer of porcelain over a crown to ensure it looks like a natural tooth.

If you have a dentist that you regularly see, schedule an appointment with your current dentist instead of visiting an emergency dentist. Dentists arrange time in their daily schedules for emergency appointments. They will see you promptly and be able to make a recommendation for you.

You can likely receive a temporary crown to protect your tooth. A durable temporary crown can last for months. It can help you avoid making a rushed decision that you may later regret.

Thomas J. Goebel, DDS, of Moline, Illinois, sponsors this post.

My dental crowns and bonding don’t match

I needed two old crowns replaced and some repairs for chips on three front teeth. My dentist placed CEREC crowns are on my left first and second molars. I’ve had this dentist for four years, but he never did any major work on my teeth. The crowns look great. But he placed the dental bonding three weeks ago, and it is the wrong color. And I am not sure how it happened, but my left front tooth is longer than the right one now, and the color on my incisors and canine teeth do not match the crowns.

I complained to my dentist about the color and the long tooth. At first, he told me to give it a week. When I went back to the office, he said that he would see what he can do. I scheduled an appointment for last week, but I canceled it because I am afraid that he will make my teeth look worse.

I chose this dentist because he is calm, and I have dental anxiety. But I can tell you that I am getting anxious about my teeth. My dentist does not sound confident that he can correct the bonding. If he can’t get the bonding right on the next try, will it hurt my teeth for another dentist to remove and replace the bonding? Thank you. Tiera from KS

Tiera,

Thank you for your question.

Dentists complete dental bonding by hand. Bonding is an artistic procedure with each tooth as the canvas. As an artist, a dentist must select and manipulate dental composite for the right color, texture, and translucence to match your surrounding teeth. A small number of dentists have artistic talent and advanced training to produces results that look like a natural tooth. Unfortunately, your description sounds like your dentist lacks the experience, creative talent, and training to achieve your desired results.

Cosmetic Dentists Are Persistent

Artistic cosmetic dentists take their art personally. They will not settle on a smile that looks okay. They listen to you and will not complete your case until you are happy with the results. Your dentist’s comments reflect that you can adjust to the way your teeth look or he will try again. But what if you do not like the results?

Can a Dentist Remove and Replace Dental Bonding?

An advanced cosmetic dentist can remove and replace dental bonding on your teeth. And a cosmetic dentist has the required tools to remove the bonding only without damaging your teeth. But if you think you might need to have another dentist redo the bonding, why not schedule a consultation with a cosmetic dentist? The dentist will examine your teeth and bonding and explain what they will do to ensure a perfect match with your CEREC crowns and surrounding teeth.

Thomas J. Goebel, DDS, a cosmetic dentist in Moline, IL sponsors this post.