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Dr. Thomas

Will Getting a Crown Weaken My Root Canal Tooth?

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I need a root canal on my top left front tooth. I’ve been worried about getting a crown because I don’t want a dark line showing up later, but my dentist said they could just fill it because the tooth is shaped weird. I heard root canals can weaken teeth and cause them to break, so I’m not sure if skipping the crown is a good idea. I’m worried the tooth might stain or break eventually. Do you have any advice on what to do? – Thanks. Luccina

Luccina,

Root canal treatment weakens teeth. Additionally, teeth needing root canals often have significant decay or fillings. For back teeth, strong chewing forces can split the tooth, making it impossible to save. Dentists regularly protect teeth with dental crowns.

However, front teeth primarily experience up-and-down biting forces, reducing the risk of vertical cracks. Horizontal fractures can still occur, especially with incisors.

A crown might weaken a tooth. Consider reinforcing the tooth with a flexible fiber post if you choose a crown. Alternatively, forgoing a crown can reduce the fracture risk, given the limited tooth structure loss. The trade-off is potential discoloration over time.

Interestingly, much of the early discoloration comes from root canal filling materials. Your dentist can prevent this by thoroughly cleaning the inside of the tooth before filling it. A dentist may use a composite or core material to build up the tooth and delay noticeable darkening for ten years or more.

Sugar Land cosmetic dentist Dr. Siny Thomas sponsors this post. Read how Dr. Thomas provides patients with some of the best dental care in Sugar Land.

My New Dental Crown Is Still Uncomfortable

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A dental crown that I got two years ago fell off. My dentist wanted to make a new crown instead of cementing the crown back on. I should have questioned my dentist about why she recommended a new crown, but I agreed to it. The new crown changed my bite, although it didn’t hurt. It feels weird and the sensation is hard to describe to my dentist. Her answer is vague about why the crown has changed my bite, but I have an adjustment appointment next week. Will I need another new crown? Thanks. Lyle from NM

 

Lyle,

A new crown should feel like a healthy, natural tooth. It should not disrupt your bite or feel uncomfortable.

What to Do About Discomfort with a New Dental Crown

If your new dental crown is uncomfortable and your dentist cannot resolve your concerns, get a second opinion. Untreated decay in the tooth beneath the crown can cause lingering discomfort. If the crowned tooth had a root canal in the past, you may not feel pain or have a toothache because root canal treatment removes infected tooth pulp and its nerves.

What Causes Tooth Decay Beneath Crowns?

Tooth decay beneath a crown can occur if bacteria or plaque get trapped between your teeth and the crown. Root canal failure can also lead to decay or an infection.

Your tooth’s condition will influence whether a second-opinion dentist recommends any of these options:

After retreatment, your tooth and bite should be comfortable.

 

Sugar Land, Texas, dentist Dr. Siny Thomas of Cornerstone Dentistry sponsors this post. Read about Dr. Thomas’s commitment to giving his patients the best dental care possible.

Can I Get My New e.max Crowns Removed Without Harming My Teeth?

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Can I get my new emax crowns removed without harming my teeth? They are too thick and bulky. The gum over my left center front tooth looks dark. My dentist said he could replace the crowns, but two of my teeth are already weak, and I don’t want to lose them.

After I told my dentist about my dissatisfaction, he admitted to making the crowns thick because my gums are thick from teeth clenching. Does that make sense? Now, my dentist recommends crown lengthening before replacing the crowns. I don’t have confidence in this alternative. If another dentist can remove the thick crowns, I can get a refund from my dentist in hopes of a better smile. I had no problems with my former crowns, but I had them for 17 years, and they looked dull. Thanks for your suggestions. Clark from Matthews, NC

Clark,

If your dentist gave you thick e.max crowns because your gums are thick, please don’t allow him to redo them. Your dentist lacks an understanding of aesthetics and function. Thick crowns will irritate and inflame your gums. The solution for thick gums is to contour the crowns to ensure they emerge from the gumline naturally. Tooth contours should be smooth and straight.

The picture on this page shows thick dental crowns and resulting gum inflammation. Too thick crowns create a space where bacteria can access them, leading to gum disease.

Thick dental crowns with inflamed gums above them

Thick dental crowns can irritate and inflame gum tissue

Can a Dentist Remove Your e.max Crowns?

A skilled cosmetic dentist can use diamond burs to grind e-max crowns off your teeth carefully. e.max crowns are lithium disilicate, a dense material that makes removing them challenging. However, an experienced cosmetic dentist can remove the crowns without damaging teeth.

Your dentist’s lack of knowledge about cosmetic dentistry indicates that he wouldn’t be skilled at removing the e.max crowns. We recommend getting a second opinion from a professional cosmetic dentist to remove and replace your crowns.

Your experience with an experienced cosmetic dentist will be different. The dentist will temporarily bond the crowns on your teeth to ensure they fit well, complement your gumline, and function properly. You will wear temporary crowns to ensure your satisfaction before the dentist bonds them to your teeth.

Schedule consultations with at least two cosmetic dentists to discuss your options for replacing your e.max crowns.

Sugar Land implant and cosmetic dentist Dr. Siny Thomas sponsors this post. Read how his advanced training helps him provide some of the best dental care in Sugar Land.

Is Swallowing Porcelain Dust at the Dentist Harmful?

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I’ve had two crown adjustments this month on an upper left molar. My dentist ground down the crown to adjust my bite. On neither occasion did he rinse my mouth. He just did the crown and sent me on my way. The crown feels natural now, and I don’t have any problems with my bite. However, I am concerned about the harm of swallowing porcelain dust, powder, or whatever glass partials are in it. I should have insisted that the dentist irrigate my mouth because I’m so anxious about it now. What symptoms should I watch for? Thanks. Symone

 

Symone,

We understand your concerns.

It is unprofessional for a dentist to neglect irrigating your mouth and allowing you to swallow debris from a dental procedure. Although dental materials are safe for your mouth, they should not be swallowed in large quantities. The protocol is to irrigate your mouth and use high-volume suction to remove the water and debris.

Nevertheless, porcelain is biocompatible, so you should not experience any signs or symptoms if you swallow debris from the dental crown. Although a dental crown contains some glass, it contains more feldspar, silica, and clay. Tiny glass particles in dental porcelain are not sharp and will not harm you.

If your anxiety about swallowing porcelain particles persists, call your dentist and explain your concerns. Your dentist should reassure you of the safety of the materials used in your mouth. You can ask your dentist to explain why he adjusted your crown without suctioning out the tiny particles left from the crown.

Sugar Land implant and cosmetic dentist Dr. Siny Thomas sponsors this post. Read how he strives to give patients some of the best dental care in Sugar Land.