Alternative to Dental Crown: What Are The Best Five Options?

Posted by Ebony Fallon on May 17, 2021 in Dental Health | 0 comments

Sometimes, getting a dental crown is not a good choice for some people. If you want to know the alternative to a dental crown, there are five options you need to consider. These alternatives may give you a better result than applying a crown. Dental Excellence’s Canberra-based dentists can assist you with the ideal options for your unique condition.

Dental Crowns: What to Know?

A dental crown, also called a cap, helps shelter the tooth to reestablish its shape and size, strength and enhance its presence. The dentist places a cap above the tooth. Once cemented, it completely encases the whole portion of a tooth that lies at or over the gum line. The patient gets an alternative to dental crown.

Here are some of the reasons why you may require dental crowns.

You may desire to have dental crowns for aesthetic reasons.
The original tooth may be broken or heavily decayed, resulting in a weak tooth that must be made stronger.
You had a previous restoration that is now chipped or fallen off or a root canal treatment that needs permanent protection.

Importance of Dental Crowns After Root Canal

Several studies stated that dental crowns following a root canal treatment improve the opportunity of tooth survival. One study documented a six times higher endurance rate for a tooth with a dental crown. Another study disclosed that just around 33% of the molars suffer without a crown for five years.

Here are some significant reasons why getting dental crowns after root canals is necessary.

Restore Fragile Teeth

A tooth can become more delicate after the root canal treatment because of tooth drilling, infection, or cavity. A solid dental crown can ensure this tooth and make it enduring while at the same time forestalling any harm.

Retain a Natural-Looking Color

Sometimes, a tooth may change color after getting root canals. If a tooth seems grayed or profoundly stained, a dental crown can provide a more natural look and whiter tone to match the rest of the teeth.

Protect Teeth from Sensitivity

After root canal treatment, some present nerves may grow additional sensitivity to heat and cold which can be entirely uncomfortable. This is another factor why a dental crown is necessary to cover a tooth after the root canal technique.

Prevent Infections

The influenced tooth surface is at more danger of infection and contamination after a root canal treatment. A dental crown will secure the tooth by sealing it off from risky leakage to stay away from repeated pollution, so you don’t have to go through a tooth extraction.

The importance of a dental crown is truly beneficial, regardless if you get a root canal treatment. However, there are a few different ways that you can work around the need to have the full crown replaced.

Alternative to Dental Crown: Five Best Options

A dentist may recommend a dental crown once you need it. However, if you want an alternative to a dental crown, below are a few options that you can discuss with your dentist.

Porcelain Onlays

Porcelain onlays can save more of your regular tooth structure. This alternative to a dental crown is a more secure technique that leads to an improved mouth. The dentist will bond the porcelain onlay to your regular tooth’s enamel, helping it prevent crack while saving a large portion of the enamel. This treatment takes more work and time and requires a high level of skills. However, when performed by a qualified dentist, it tends to be a terrific option compared to a dental crown.

Phasing Treatment

In certain occurrences, you can get a filling rather than a crown. Though a crown would be the ideal treatment, getting a filling could get you time until you have a more definitive procedure.

Provisional Crowns

Sometimes, dentists will apply an in-office fabricated crown, otherwise called a provisional crown. They bond the provisional crown to the tooth and get the patients time to afford a complete treatment. The disadvantage to these crowns is that they are temporary, which can only last 3-9 months. Keeping them for too long can cause the patient to lose the tooth.

In-office Lab Indirect Treatment

In-office lab indirect resin crown is a better short-term option than a crown, though very few dentists apply this technique. The material used for an indirect crown is resin instead of porcelain. The dentist will make the indirect resin crown in the office and complete it on the same day. Even though only a few dentists perform this treatment, indirect resin crowns can save your money and time in the office lab.

Tooth Extraction

This solution can be the very least treatment your dentist may recommend. However, removing a tooth is one of the permanent approaches to avoid getting a dental crown. This condition is sometimes the best solution, especially if the root canal treatment you received is not effective and causing your tooth to be painful. Moreover, if you are not ready to have a crown, you can get tooth extraction and, afterward, install a dental crown.

What Are the Things You Need to Consider Before Getting an Alternative?

Here are some factors you need to know before deciding to get a restorative dental treatment.

Know the Reason for Getting Dental Crowns

The dentist is ready to proceed to actual treatment. Generally, if you have tooth pain when you bite down, your tooth might be broken or cracked. A fractured tooth is frequently a severe case that needs a dental crown. Furthermore, dental situations like vertical breaks till the gum line may require a full-inclusion crown. Numerous individuals also get a dental crown to conceal their discolored teeth.

Inquire About All Possible Alternatives

Even though a dental crown is a good choice, there can be others as well. For instance, you may decide to get a filling rather than a dental crown. Hence, always know about the other options and weigh your alternatives accordingly.