How Much Tooth Structure is Required for a Dental Crown?

by Rohit Seo | Sep 14, 2024 | Uncategorized

Dental crowns are an essential solution for restoring a damaged tooth. Whether it’s for a decayed, broken, or weakened tooth, crowns provide strength and improve the appearance of the tooth. However, a common question that arises is: How much of the tooth’s structure needs to be removed to place a dental crown?

A dental crown is a cap that encases a tooth, covering its surface entirely. The goal is to restore its shape, size, and function. However, for the crown to fit properly, a certain amount of the natural tooth must be prepared and reduced. If you’re looking for dental crowns in Victoria, our expert team can help you achieve a perfect fit with minimal tooth structure removal, ensuring a long-lasting and comfortable restoration.

How Much Tooth Structure is Typically Removed?

The extent of tooth reduction needed depends on the type of crown being used and the condition of the tooth itself. Typically, around 1 to 2 millimetres of tooth structure is removed from all sides of the tooth to place a crown. This ensures a fit for the crown while maintaining the strength and health of the tooth. 

The amount of tooth that needs to be shaved down is influenced by several factors, including: 

• Extent of Tooth Damage: If the tooth is severely decayed or cracked, more structure may need to be removed to ensure the crown fits properly and is securely attached.
• Type of dental crowns: Some crowns, like all-porcelain crowns, may require more tooth reduction due to their thickness. Metal crowns, on the other hand, are thinner and may require less tooth structure to be removed.
• Tooth Position: Crowns placed on teeth at the back of the mouth, where chewing forces are stronger, may require additional tooth reduction to ensure durability.

The Process of Preparing a Tooth for a Crown

The dental crown procedure involves a few key steps. Here’s what typically happens:

• Examination and Assessment: During the exam, the dentist will check the tooth’s status. Decide on the extent of shaving required for it. 
• Shaping the Tooth: With instruments at hand, the dentist will carefully extract the surface of the tooth to make room for the crown to be placed. 
• Making Impressions: Once the tooth has been prepared by the dentist for a crown process and shaped accordingly to ensure fitment of the crown in place, impressions are then taken for further assessment and sent off to a dental laboratory where the crown is meticulously crafted and customized based upon these impressions. 
• Placing a Temporary Crown: Most of the time a temporary crown is put in place as the permanent crown is being created. 
• Fitting the Final Crown: The last step in the process is placing the crown over the tooth that has been prepared and making adjustments to ensure it fits correctly before cementation. 

Minimally Invasive options

Patients who worry about the extent of tooth structure removal can explore options beyond the crowns.

• CEREC Crowns: One Visit CEREC Crowns are an option as they can be fitted in one appointment without the need to remove as much tooth structure compared to traditional crowns. 
• Dental Onlays: Onlays for your teeth offer an option compared to crowns, as they only cover a portion of the tooth. 
• Porcelain Veneers: Porcelain veneers may be considered for damage as they involve the removal of tooth structure. 

In summary, the extent of tooth material removed for a crown can differ based on each case; however, the main objective is to enhance the tooth’s durability and function while conserving as much of the tooth structure as feasible. 

Reach out to Academy Dental to book an appointment for a crown consultation.

Academy Dental is committed to providing customized care for all your dental needs. If you are planning to obtain a dental crown, our dentist in Victoria will find the most suitable restoration alternatives for your smile with the minimum tooth reduction possible. Contact us today to book a consultation and learn more about how we can help you get a healthy, beautiful smile.