Same Day Crowns: The Pros and Cons

A broken tooth can be a very painful thing, but with the increasing availability of same day crowns, it may be possible to save one. If the tooth deeply infected and could affect the jaw or gums, it may require extraction or a root canal. However, if decay has not eaten into the pith or the root, the tooth may be a great candidate for receiving a same day crown.

Crowns can prolong the life of a tooth, especially a molar. A dentist may make every effort to save a molar, which is used for chewing, especially meat and crunchy foods. It is more likely for food, plaque and tartar to build up on and around molars, causing cavities, breakage or fractures. Special attention should be given to preventive hygiene, and seeing a dentist as soon as there is an indication of trouble or pain may make getting a same day crown more possible.

Repairing a broken tooth with same day crowns

Sometimes an extraction is necessary, but there are many circumstances under which a broken or decayed tooth can be preserved. Consider these pros and cons when making the decision to receive a same day crown.

Pros

Immediate restoration of a natural looking smile and fully functioning teeth may be possible with these crowns. They can be done for about the same cost as traditional ones and may also save on the expenses of extra visits and the making of molds and a temporary crown while waiting for the new one to be created in the lab. Teeth may be less vulnerable to the damage that can occur in a natural tooth if a temporary crown comes loose between appointments.

Cons

A traditional crown made of porcelain fused to metal may be stronger and last longer than the same day type. The camera used to fit a same day crown may not read a tooth fracture if it is below the gum line. This could allow further decay and potentially require a second crown down the road if problems arise. The extra training and expense for the dental office may mean that this procedure is not as widely available as traditional crowns and may make it more of a hassle to find a qualified dentist in a given location.

Almost any tooth is a potential candidate for a crown; however, a wisdom tooth may not be. In some cases, a straight wisdom tooth may a good candidate to receive a crown, but because people tend to crunch on nuts or hard candies with their back teeth, molars and wisdom teeth are at higher risk for fractures and breakage. If such a tooth cracks, discuss with a dental professional whether a root canal and subsequent crown — same day or traditional — is worth the expense.

Conclusion

Teeth are subject to decay and breakage. With proper care, they may be saved just with fillings. However, when a situation arises where same day crowns may be a viable solution, consider the pros and cons before deciding to proceed.

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