Dental crowns are bespoke caps that are used to protect a weak tooth. They help to restore normal biting and also ensure a natural aesthetic appearance. Contemporary crowns made with porcelain, ceramic and composites are designed to withstand great force from chewing however they can sometimes chip or crack through wear and tear, injury or biting hard objects.

Finding out that your crown has chipped can cause some immediate concerns. Knowing how a dentist will assess and repair your crown, what to do at home and when a full replacement may be required can help to give you some control over the situation.

1. What to do immediately

When finding out that your crown has chipped you should follow these steps to protect your tongue and soft tissue.

  • Remove any broken pieces. Remove any broken pieces of porcelain or ceramic from your mouth. Be careful not to swallow or breathe in any pieces. Place larger pieces into a clean container so that you can show your dentist.
  • Protect sharp edges. If there is a sharp edge from the chip irritating your tongue or cheek then cover with some dental wax, a small piece of sugar free chewing gum or temporary dental cement available from pharmacies.
  • Gently rinse with warm salt water. Rinse gently with some warm salt water to clean around the area.
  • See your dentist. Book an appointment with your dentist. Even if it is just a small chip it can cause problems in the future if left. The inner parts of the crown can be exposed causing further decay.

2. Common reasons for crowns to chip

Understanding why crowns chip can help prevent you doing things that can cause excessive force on your crown.

  • Biting hard objects. Chewing hard objects like ice cubes, unpopped popcorn, hard sweets or nuts can cause excessive pressure on the crown causing cracks in the fragile porcelain.
  • Teeth grinding. If you have a habit of grinding your teeth at night you can cause excessive pressure on your teeth and crowns. This can cause excessive wear on your crown.
  • Accidental damage. If you suffer an accident, sport injury or unexpected blow to your jaw this can easily cause your porcelain crown to fracture.
  • Natural wear. Over time your composites and porcelain will start to show signs of wear and tear.
  • Incorrect occlusion. If your crown is sitting slightly higher than the rest of your bite line your crown will absorb excessive force from chewing.

3. Minor/Moderate repairs

Depending on the extent of the chip, your dentist can often smooth or repair your crown.

Smooth and polish

  • If the chip is very small and shallow they can smooth out the rough edge with fine diamond burs and polish to make it smooth.

Bond with composite

  • If the chip is visible but doesn’t affect the structure of the crown they can etch the surface, apply bonding agent and apply bonding agent and apply a shade matched composite to the area. They will then cure it with a light.

Porcelain Repair Kits

  • Specialist repair kits can be used to bond new porcelain or micro hybrid resins to your exposed porcelain area. They use special coupling agents and dental bonding agents.

4. Full crown replacement

If your crown has suffered a large amount of damage then it won’t be viable to repair. You will need a new crown.

  • Large cracks. If a large section of your crown has broken off then there will be no structure to your crown. Spot repairs will easily fail.
  • Exposed metal. If you have a porcelain fused to metal crown and there is a large chip exposing the dark metal underneath this can cause issues with the aesthetic appearance.
  • Decay underneath. If there is a crack in your crown and bacteria gets underneath then active decay could occur on the natural tooth. You will need to have your crown completely removed, cleaned out and have a new crown.
  • Loose foundation. If your crown is chipped and your post/crown is loose then you will want to have a new crown fitted to ensure it is sealed properly.

5. Diagnosis & assessment

When visiting your dentist with a chipped crown they will carry out a diagnosis.

Visual inspection

  • They will visually inspect your crown using bright lights, lopes and fine probes to see how deep the crack is.

Digital x-ray

  • They will take a digital x-ray to check that your natural tooth is healthy, check your root canal filling and look for any hidden decay.

Occlusion

  • They will use articulating paper to see how your teeth are meeting when you bite and grind. This will help identify where there is a high spot causing excessive pressure on the crown.

6. How to prevent crowns from chipping in future

To help protect your restored teeth you should:

  • Wear a night guard. If you have a habit of grinding your teeth at night then wear a bespoke night guard to help cushion your bite and distribute pressure evenly.
  • Wear a mouth-guard whilst playing sport. Always wear a bespoke mouth-guard whilst playing contact sports, martial arts or any high impact sport.
  • Don’t use your teeth. Don’t use your teeth or crowns to help tear open plastic packaging, bite your fingernails, hold metal objects or crack nuts.
  • Brush well. Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and floss around the crown to prevent gum irritation and decay.
  • Visit your dentist regularly. Visit your dentist every 6 months for a professional clean and thorough check up.

7. Cost

The cost depends on if your crown can be polished, bonded or needs replacing.

  • Polish. The cheapest option will be to have the rough edge polished. This can often be done under a consultation fee or small procedure fee. This will cost around $50 to $150/ (or £1,000 – £3,000).
  • Bonding. Bonding with composite can cost around $150 and $450 per tooth (or £2,500 – £8,000).
  • Replacement. If you need a full replacement then a new porcelain, ceramic  crown will generally cost around $800 to $2500 (or £8,000 – £25,000+).
  • Insurance. Many dental insurances will offer some cover for crown replacements due to accidental damage. Many dental practices will also offer a warranty on your new crown.

Summary Checklist

  • Remove any loose pieces of porcelain from your mouth.
  • Cover sharp edges with dental wax or temporary filling.
  • Gently rinse with warm salt water.
  • Book a diagnostic appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.
  • Have your crown polished or bonded for minor chips.
  • Be prepared to have your crown replaced if there is large cracks, exposed metal or decay underneath.
  • Wear a night guard if your crown was damaged due to grinding your teeth at night.
  • Don’t chew on hard objects like ice cubes, popped kernels or hard sweets to protect all your current crowns.

FAQs

Is a chipped crown an emergency?

A chipped crown is rarely a serious emergency. However if you are experiencing extreme pain, uncontrollable bleeding, swelling or your crown is cutting your tongue then you should seek dental attention. However if you aren’t experiencing any pain you should see your dentist within a day or two to prevent further damage or decay.

Can I get my porcelain crown repaired without removing it?

Yes. If your crown has a small or moderate chip then it can often be polished or repaired using tooth colored composites and specialist bonding agents.

How long will my crown last with a composite repair?

Composite repairs are classed as an intermediate solution. Depending on your bite and where the chip is your crown can last between 1- several years.

Why does my chipped crown hurt? I had a root canal.

Even though your tooth has been treated with a root canal and therefore has no live nerve you may still experience pain. This is usually due to the rough edge irritating your gums or excessive pressure causing inflammation in the ligament holding your tooth.

A chipped crown is an easy situation to manage. By protecting your sharp edges, seeing your dentist and choosing the right treatment you can quickly get your tooth back to full functionality and a natural appearance. To help protect your investment make sure to brush your teeth daily, avoid chewing on hard objects and wear your protection guards.