Reviewed by a licensed dentistTreatment: CrownCode: D2740 and othersQuestion: Skipping it
What happens if I don't get the crown?
The short answer
It depends on why the crown was recommended. A weak or cracked tooth may hold up for a while, or it may break, sometimes in a way that can't be fixed. If the reason is cosmetic, skipping it doesn't harm the tooth.
More detail
What can happen over time
- Nothing noticeable, for a while. Many weak teeth hold up for months or years.
- A break. A thin wall or chewing corner can snap off. If it breaks above the gum, it can often still be crowned, sometimes with extra work first.
- A crack that grows. If a crack reaches the nerve, the tooth may need a root canal. If it runs below the gum line or splits the tooth, the tooth may need to come out.
- Decay that keeps growing under or around a big old filling, which can reach the nerve.
If you decide to wait
That's your choice to make. A few things can help in the meantime:
- Go easy chewing hard foods, ice, or hard candy on that tooth.
- Ask whether a filling could protect it for now.
- Ask for a re-check date.
- Get seen promptly if it starts to hurt when you bite, becomes sensitive, or a piece breaks off.
Questions to ask
- What's most likely to happen if I wait?
- How urgent is this, in your opinion?
- Could a filling hold it for now?
- What signs mean I should come in right away?
- Before we schedule, can I get my cost in writing? (A predetermination if I'm using insurance, or a good faith estimate if I'm paying myself.)
When a second opinion makes sense
Reasonable if you have no symptoms, the tooth isn't cracked or broken, and the timeline feels rushed.