Is It Ok To Leave Tooth Without Crown?
A crown is there to prevent exposed parts of the tooth from getting sore, infected or worse. So is it ok to leave tooth without crown?
Well, not really, as it turns out! Let’s have a look into everything we know about crowns and how long you can leave your teeth without one.
Is It Ok To Leave Tooth Without Crown?
A crown is put in place to protect a tooth that is decayed, broken or weak, or to cover dental implants and root canals.
With this in mind, it really isn’t a good idea to leave a tooth without a crown for a long time, as this can damage the tooth and cause you pain.
If you have a crown in place that has fallen out, your tooth will be OK for a short time, but you really should schedule a dentists appointment to get it fixed as soon as you can.
We know that it can sometimes be tricky to get a dentist appointment, and it won’t do too much harm to leave it a few days.
However, dentists offer emergency appointments, and losing a crown is considered a priority, so don’t wait too long before you book yourself in.
This useful article will tell you a lot about crowns, and why and when they are used.
How Long Can I Leave My Tooth Without A Crown?
Life is unpredictable, and it can come completely out of nowhere to lose a filling, a crown or even a tooth!
You will want to get your missing crown replaced as soon as possible, to prevent any future oral health issues.
Leaving a previously crowned tooth without a crown can cause a lot of problems, including pain and infection.
This won’t happen overnight, and you should be OK to leave your crown fixing for a few days – or even a few weeks, in a pinch – but it does need sorting.
It’s not a good idea to leave a tooth without protection, so get yourself a dentist appointment to get it fixed as soon as you can.
Even if your dentist is incredibly busy, they will be aware that a crown needs to be replaced as soon as possible, so phone and book that appointment as soon as possible!
Here is a good video that tells you what to do if your crown falls out:
What Happens If You Don’t Put A Crown On A Tooth?
If your dentist has advised you that you need a crown fitted, you should definitely take that advice and have the procedure done.
If you decide not to, then you can set yourself up for some very painful tooth issues in the future!
Delaying getting a crown fitted can allow tooth decay to reach the inner layer of the tooth and affect the pulp and the nerve.
This type of tooth damage is incredibly painful, and once it progresses that far you will definitely need a dentist’s input.
Crowns are used when a tooth is too far gone for the standard type of filling, and although it is fairly intrusive, it is a good option.
Although many people are scared of the dentist, and we all know that dental work is not cheap, it’s important to prioritise your oral health.
Can A Tooth Be Fixed Without A Crown?
As technology and techniques evolve, more and more things are done differently – and in some cases better – than they have been done previously.
These days, a broken or worn down tooth does not necessarily HAVE to be fixed with a crown. There are other options too!
- Inlays or Onlays. Partial coverage inlays or onlays can be far less invasive than fitting a crown, which involves griding down the tooth to about 75% of its original size.
- Indirect fillings. These are specially formed to fit areas of the tooth that need covering, and fill either the inside or the outside of the affected tooth.
- Resin composite. This technique requires highly trained dentists, and uses resin hardened by a light wand, applied in layers.
If you are concerned about getting a crown but a tooth needs work, consider discussing other options with your dentist.
However, ensure you do listen to the advice of these trained professionals – it may be that the tooth is too damaged for a traditional filling or any other methods.
Can I Have A Tooth Pulled Instead Of A Crown?
The short answer is yes, you can – it’s your body after all, and you get to decide what you are comfortable with.
We would always suggest that you follow your dentist’s advice – after all, they are trained professionals – but you do still have a choice.
A dentist will always try to keep all of your teeth in your mouth (that’s the ultimate goal, right?)
Sometimes the problem is financial – dentistry is not cheap, and an extraction can often cost less than having a crown fitted.
If the tooth is causing problems to the other teeth, such as affecting how they sit in the mouth, it may be recommended to pull it.
However, in general it is better to try to keep all your teeth. After all, that’s why crowns were invented in the first place!
If the tooth is too badly damaged for a crown to be effective, you should definitely opt to have it taken out.
In other cases, an impacted tooth (one that has not fully erupted or that is in the wrong position) is definitely a better candidate for extraction.
The position of the tooth is also a factor – if it is in a really difficult to access area than removing it may well be better than going for a crown.
Final Words
Having a crown fitted, although it might not be very pleasant, is a good alternative to losing a tooth, or living with the pain that can arise from an un-crowned tooth.
If your crown pops out, your tooth will be ok for a short time – but you really should get booked in with your dentist as soon as possible.