What Are The Risks Of Waiting Too Long To Get A Dental Crown?

Dental crowns are one of the most reliable solutions for restoring a damaged tooth, offering protection and strength while restoring its appearance. However, some people delay the procedure, hoping the issue will resolve on its own or assuming it’s not urgent.

Unfortunately, waiting too long to get a dental crown can lead to a range of complications that can cause further damage to your teeth, gums, and overall oral health.

In this blog, we will explore the risks of postponing a dental crown and why timely treatment is essential for your smile and well-being.

Consequences of Delaying in Getting a Dental Crown

1. The Tooth Can Be More Damaged

How Delaying Treatment Affects the Tooth?

When a tooth is damaged, whether from decay, fracture, or a root canal procedure, it becomes vulnerable to additional harm. Without a protective dental crown, the tooth is exposed to further stress from chewing, biting, or grinding.

Over time, the existing damage can worsen, leading to more extensive fractures, additional decay, or even complete tooth loss.

Possible scenarios include:

• Worsening decay: If the tooth is decayed, it continues to deteriorate without a crown, potentially leading to an infection or more severe decay.
  
• Cracks and fractures: A weak tooth can crack further, making it harder or even impossible to repair.

Key Point: The longer you wait, the more likely it is that your tooth will need extensive, and often more expensive, repairs or even extraction.

2. High Risk of Getting an Infection

Why Infection Is a Serious Concern?

A tooth without a crown is highly susceptible to bacterial infection. Once the enamel and protective layers of the tooth are compromised, bacteria can invade the inner pulp of the tooth, causing infection.

This can result in an abscess, which is painful and often requires more invasive treatment, such as a root canal or even tooth extraction.

Signs of infection include:

• Swelling around the tooth or gums
• Severe pain, especially when biting or chewing
• Pus or a bad taste in the mouth

Key Point: Waiting too long for a crown can increase your risk of developing a serious infection that could require more complicated and expensive dental procedures.

3. Gum and Bone Damage

How Missing Crowns Impact Surrounding Tissues?

A damaged or untreated tooth can affect the surrounding gums and jawbone. When a tooth is compromised, the surrounding tissues can begin to deteriorate as well. The lack of protection from a crown can lead to gum recession, which exposes the roots of the tooth to further damage.

In severe cases, this can affect the bone structure around the tooth, leading to bone loss.

Potential consequences include:

• Gum irritation, bleeding, or infection
• Bone loss in the jaw, which can affect your bite and lead to further dental complications
• Shifting of neighboring teeth

Key Point: Not addressing the issue with a crown can cause a cascade of oral health issues affecting more than just the tooth itself.

4. The Tooth Can Become Irreparable

When Repair Becomes Impossible

Some dental problems, like cracks or severe decay, may initially seem fixable with a crown. However, delaying treatment can worsen the situation to the point where a crown is no longer a viable option.

If the tooth becomes too weak or the damage too extensive, the dentist might not be able to place a crown at all, leading to the need for extraction.

Signs that a tooth may be beyond saving:

• Extensive decay or fracture reaching the root of the tooth
• Root canal complications where the tooth cannot be restored
• Severe mobility of the tooth

Key Point: Prolonging treatment can lead to a point where the only solution is extraction, leaving you with the need for a more complicated and costly replacement, like dental implants.

5. Tooth Sensitivity and Pain

Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Pain or Sensitivity

A compromised tooth without a crown can lead to more sensitivity to temperature, pressure, or sweet foods. This discomfort may seem tolerable at first, but it can worsen as the tooth’s structure deteriorates further.

Sensitivity may turn into constant pain, affecting your ability to chew or even speak comfortably.

Possible pain symptoms include:

• Sensitivity to hot or cold foods and beverages
• Throbbing or sharp pain when chewing or biting
• Pain that lasts for days or intensifies with time

Key Point: Delaying treatment for a crown means enduring unnecessary pain and discomfort, which can affect your daily life and well-being.

6. Cosmetic Concerns

How Delaying a Crown Affects Your Smile?

Beyond the functional aspects, a damaged tooth can also have an impact on the aesthetics of your smile. If you have a visible crack or decay, it can affect your self-esteem and confidence. A crown restores the tooth’s shape, size, and color, improving both its function and appearance.

Cosmetic issues caused by delay:

• Noticeable cracks, chips, or discoloration in your smile
• Teeth that look uneven or damaged, affecting your confidence
• Difficulty smiling without feeling self-conscious

Key Point: Waiting too long for a crown can result in a smile that looks less than ideal, impacting both your appearance and self-confidence.

What Should You Do Next?

Schedule an Appointment

If you suspect your tooth is in need of a crown, don’t wait until it becomes a bigger issue. Visit our dentist as soon as possible for a thorough examination. The earlier you address the problem, the less likely it is that complications will arise.

Early intervention with a dental crown can save you time, money, and unnecessary pain in the future.

Maintain Your Oral Health

In addition to getting the crown, make sure to follow our dentist’s advice on maintaining good oral hygiene. Regular brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings will help preserve your crown and keep your smile healthy for years.

Don’t Delay, Protect Your Smile Today!

Waiting too long to get a dental crown can lead to a wide array of complications, ranging from severe tooth damage to infections, pain, and even tooth loss. By addressing the problem early on, you can prevent these risks and protect both your oral health and your smile.

A dental crown is a simple, effective solution that can restore your tooth’s strength, function, and appearance, and it’s always better to get it sooner rather than later. So, don’t delay—contact our dentist today to take the next step in maintaining a healthy, beautiful smile.