Is a Crack on a Porcelain Crown a Dental Emergency

Quite a few years ago, I had a smile makeover done with porcelain crowns. There was a defect on one from the beginning. Something called a craze line, I think. The dentist told me about it and said that they’re common and it is nothing to worry about. She was right until this week. I could barely see it before, and only then because she pointed it out. Now I can see. It’s a tiny fracture line. I can feel it with my tongue. I’m guessing I need to replace this. Would it be considered a dental emergency?

Dana

Dear Dana,

While it will need to be replaced, I wouldn’t consider it an emergency where you’d have to be seen today to get it replaced, but I would schedule an appointment for their earliest. At some point, soon, it will be a problem.  You mentioned that these crowns were done quite a few years ago, but didn’t say how long.  It’s possible that the crowns are nearing the end of their life expectancy.

When you go in to have this crown replaced, have the dentist examine the other crowns to see what condition they’re in. If it looks like a recommendation of replacing them is in order, you have a couple of choices.

First, you could have them all removed and replaced at once. This has the benefit of getting it all done at once so that you don’t have to think or worry about when each crown will fail. The downsides are a greater cost up front, and it will be a long appointment. If you choose that option, I recommend that you have it done with dental sedation. This way you can be completely comfortable during your procedure.

Second, you can just get the ones in immediate danger replaced, and then do the remainder one at a time as needed. This has the benefit of spreading out the cost. But, you will be making more appointments to the dentist each time a new one fails.

The Best Option for a Smile Makeover

For the benefit of those who may be considering a smile makeover, I want to point out that you wouldn’t want to do it with crowns unless absolutely necessary. There are a couple of reasons that would be an exception to veneers. The first is if those teeth already have crowns on them. The second is if they are decayed or damaged in some way that means they need crowns anyway.

The best option for a smile makeover is porcelain veneers. This prevents you from having to grind down healthy tooth structure.  Some dentists push a patient toward dental crowns because they don’t know how to do porcelain veneers. But, if that is the case, they are unlikely to get as beautiful a result with the crowns as you could have received from a dentist skilled in porcelain veneers.

This blog is brought to you by a gentle dentist in Naples, Dr. Andrea Cameron.