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Why Crown / Cap a Tooth?
There are several reasons why one might want to have a tooth crowned. One common indication is where there is substantial tooth missing, either from an accident or from decay. A cap has the ability to hold a weak tooth together so that it can withstand the constant work of chewing. Where remaining tooth is weak, cracked, or just unable to hold a filling, a cap may be indicated.
Similarly, when teeth have had root canals they become weaker and more brittle. If they are at risk for fracturing, they should be strengthened with a crown. This can happen when there are large fillings or fractured areas on the root canal tooth. There are some teeth that should always be crowned after a root canal, even if there are not large fillings present. These are molars with multiple roots, where the tooth after finished root canal will be thin between the roots and susceptible to cracking in half.
If an implant is placed in the bone to replace a tooth that has been lost, that implant will need to have a cap placed on it.
Another reason why one might decide to crown a tooth is to make the tooth look better, especially where there are stained fillings or silver fillings showing through in the front of the tooth.
If you have a tooth that is broken down but you have no way to pay for a crown, it is certainly better to have a large filling placed than to do nothing and let things get worse.
What is not a good reason to have crowns? If you are told that silver (amalgam) fillings are hurting your health and that for that reason you should have them replaced with crowns, be very wary. There is no evidence that having silver fillings removed improves health and no disease which is improved by having silver fillings removed. (Check Quack Watch.com)
Do I Really Need a Crown?
Do I Really Need Multiple Crowns?
Unfortunately, I can't answer the question for you. I can give you a few caveats, though. If you feel that you have been given a treatment plan for dental work you do not need, trust your instincts and get a second, or third, opinion. Some teeth definitely need a crown and some definitely do not need a crown and there are many shades between.
I have practiced dentistry for 30 plus years, and one trend that disturbs me is this: Dentists who give all patients treatment plans for cosmetic dentistry and multiple crowns, where those patients would be better off with their own natural tooth structure. If a dentist's M.O. is to present every patient with an expensive plan, without regard to the patient as an individual, that, to me, is ethically wrong, to say the least. Yes, dentistry is a high overhead business, and yes, dental work is time consuming and expensive. But over treatment in the service of making money is wrong. "Selling" certain treatments over others is wrong.
It is not infrequent to hear new patients in our office tell us they were presented with recommendations for expensive treatment, that, in our opinion, they did not need, or which would have been destructive or harmful. Some offices have purchased expensive crown-making equipment. How will payments for this equipment be financed? Hopefully, not by 'selling' crowns that are unnecessary.
Be aware that there are many responsible dentists who are concerned about these issues. If you are unsure, get a second opinion, even a third …
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Please remember that information on these site is not all-inclusive and it may or may not apply to your situation and you need to call your own dentist. A dentist needs to see the tooth, take and x-ray, etc. to diagnose and treat. I cannot respond to email inquiries or phone calls. Thanks for visiting!
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