When Should You Get a Same-Day Crown vs. an Extraction?

If you’ve had a toothache over the past few days, you may have been avoiding the dentist because you fear they’ll tell you the tooth needs to be extracted. However, tooth pain does not necessarily guarantee that the tooth is beyond saving. Dentists only perform tooth extractions as a last resort; saving the tooth is always a more ideal option.

With the help of a same-day crown, you don’t have to settle for the worst-case scenario. Learn what could be the cause of your toothache, when a crown is sufficient and why it is typically a better solution overall.

What is Causing Your Toothache?

One of the most common reasons your tooth is aching is because decay has developed in the crown. The crown includes the visible portion of your tooth and is the first line of defense for your inner tooth structure. Another common cause is teeth grinding and clenching, which slowly wears down enamel over time, causing the interior enamel structures to become more and more exposed. This can also lead to increased tooth sensitivity as well.

If your tooth already has a filling, it’s possible that the filling is beginning to lose its seal inside your tooth, therefore exposing the inner portion. In these cases, restorative dentistry will be needed to protect the vulnerable pulp inside the tooth and keep it functioning.

When a Crown is a More Appropriate Solution

You may have heard in the past that a dentist’s only response to damaged teeth is to extract it, but that’s simply not the case. Dentists exhaust every possible option before deciding to extract a tooth entirely. For example, if your tooth’s cavity or fillings take up more than two-thirds of your natural enamel, a crown will be used to cover and seal the damaged teeth from bacteria.

An extraction is only performed if the tooth is significantly putting other healthy teeth at risk of damage as well. If a tooth becomes significantly misaligned or impacted, it will likely need removal. If the root of the tooth is dead, then it can’t house your current tooth any longer. If the tooth is severely fractured or broken into multiple pieces, then an extraction is more appropriate.

The Benefits of Same-Day Crowns

One of the largest benefits of same-day crowns is their ability to be placed the same day as your dental emergency. There’s no two-week long waiting period to receive a dental restoration and you don’t have to sacrifice quality just to get a crown that looks good and remains durable for years to come. Additionally, the dentist can save more of your tooth’s overall structure because of the precision and accuracy of the milling machine creating your new crown.

Don’t avoid the dentist just because you think you’re guaranteed to need an extraction. Schedule an appointment to protect your oral health, stop oral pain and save your natural tooth today!

About the Author

Dr. Ryan Eskridge earned his DDS degree from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. He’s received extensive training and much clinical experience using CEREC CAD/CAM technology, allowing him to provide individuals with conservative dental restorations in a single appointment. To learn more about his practice, you can contact him through his website.