My cap broke over the weekend. This is the one that’s on the upper right side. It’s a molar tooth. I didn’t even know before it broke that it was loose or weak. I was chewing ham and I heard a crackly gritty sound which I thought might have been a piece of bone from the meat, but it was my tooth. I looked in the mirror and could see that the cap was broken so I took it off. I don’t have dental insurance but I know that it needs to be replaced. This is the 4th time the cap has broken on the same tooth. Why does this keep happening? I am wondering if I can even get a new cap or if I will have to wear a temporary one for a few months until I can save up. What’s the best way for me to get a new cap as quickly as possible do I have to call around offices and just ask? Thanks Tommie
Tommie – We recommend that you find an experienced cosmetic dentist who can give you a quality, strong porcelain crown (cap) and make it affordable for you. You will wear a temporary crown while the new one is being made.
It is possible that your crown keeps breaking because it is poorly made or incorrectly bonded to your tooth. When you think about it, in the long run, it will cost you less money to get a well-made crown that is properly secured to your natural tooth.
So it’s best not to call around and get price quotes for a cheap crown that may need to be replaced in the near future. A dental crown should last five to fifteen years, depending on the quality and how well you take care of it.
As you look for a dentist to provide you with a crown, find a cosmetic dentist. This will ensure that you get natural-looking results. Also, in advance of your appointment, ask about arrangements to help make the crown affordable for you. Most dentists offer payment plans, which will spread out the payments over several months.
This post is sponsored by Baton Rouge dentist Dr. Steven Collins.