What Happens If You Don’t Get a Dental Crown?

When a tooth suffers damage, either from decay, an injury, or after a root canal, a dental crown often becomes necessary. Crowns are designed to protect or shield the tooth from further damage, help with chewing, and restore the natural look of your smile. These “teeth caps” serve as a durable cover, offering protection and function. If you don’t get a crown when your dentist recommends it, the consequences can go beyond just your smile.

Increased Risk of Tooth Damage

When a tooth is compromised, it’s more likely to get worse without a dental crown. The tooth is exposed, and without protection, cracks or chips can deepen. Over time, these small problems may become major ones.

• Weakening Structure: Teeth that require crowns are already weakened. Without support, they can easily break. It’s not uncommon for patients to return with a tooth that has shattered, needing more invasive treatments like extraction.
• Grinding and Clenching: For people who grind their teeth, a damaged tooth without a crown faces even more stress. Crowns act like armor, shielding the tooth from further damage caused by grinding and clenching.

A dental crown specialist near you will help guide you through the process of saving your tooth. Once a tooth is at risk, waiting only increases the chance of more extensive damage.

Potential for Infection or Decay

Leaving a damaged tooth untreated invites bacteria. An untreated crack, cavity, or exposed root can quickly become an entry point for germs. When bacteria seep in, decay can spread deep into the tooth, eventually reaching the nerve, causing pain and infection.

• Infection Risk: An exposed tooth is a vulnerable tooth. Bacteria that reach the inner layers of your tooth can cause painful infections or abscesses. You may even need another root canal or an extraction if the infection becomes severe.
• Progressive Decay: Without a crown, tooth decay worsens. The protective layer your tooth once had is gone, leaving it open to faster decay. What started as a small problem can escalate into something that requires more aggressive treatment.

The protection offered by dental crowns in Salt Lake City, UT, prevents these complications, keeping your tooth safe from further harm.

Difficulty in Chewing or Speaking

The effects of skipping a crown extend beyond tooth damage. Chewing can become difficult, and over time, you may start avoiding certain foods because it becomes painful to eat.

• Chewing Discomfort: Without a crown, chewing on a cracked or weakened tooth may hurt. Patients often switch to softer foods or chew on the other side of their mouth, but this doesn’t solve the problem. Instead, it can lead to imbalances in the bite and jaw pain.
• Speech Impact: A damaged tooth can even affect the way you speak. Missing teeth, or teeth that are too painful to use, may cause a slight lisp or difficulty pronouncing certain sounds.

If eating and speaking become uncomfortable, the problem will keep worsening. A crown helps restore full function, making it easier to live your daily life.

Risk of Losing the Tooth

One of the biggest risks of not getting a crown is losing the tooth altogether. A tooth that’s left untreated becomes more fragile, and in many cases, it cannot be saved once it deteriorates past a certain point.

• Tooth Extraction: When a tooth cracks or decays beyond repair, extraction might be the only solution. Losing or missing a tooth is more than just a cosmetic issue—it can affect the alignment of your other teeth, leading to gaps and shifting.
• Jawbone Loss: Without the root of the tooth in place, the jawbone can start to shrink. This loss of bone can eventually affect your facial structure. Replacing or restoring the missing tooth with a dental implant is possible but can be a more expensive and invasive option than getting a crown in the first place.

By opting for crowns for teeth when your dentist recommends it, you can save yourself from these more serious consequences.

Higher Costs for Future Treatment

Waiting to get a crown can lead to more complex and often more expensive treatments down the line. While crowns may seem like an investment, the alternatives can be much costlier.

• Additional Dental Work: A simple crown today may prevent the need for root canals, extractions, or even dental implants later. Procedures like implants or bridges are more invasive, requiring more time and money.
• Restorative Treatments: A single crown protects a tooth from needing more expensive restorative treatments. For example, if a tooth is lost, an implant or bridge might be the only way to restore it.

Addressing your dental needs early by getting a crown helps you avoid costly and more intensive treatments in the future. Protecting your tooth with a crown now will save you time, money, and discomfort down the road.

Conclusion

Getting a dental crown isn’t just about restoring your smile—it’s about preserving your oral health for the long run. A crown protects a weakened tooth, preventing further damage, decay, and even tooth loss. Without it, you risk complications that may require more intense and expensive dental procedures.

Need a Dental Crown? Schedule Your Appointment Today

If you’ve been told you need a crown, it’s important to act quickly. Protect your tooth and avoid future complications by scheduling an appointment with Warm Family Dentistry. Our team is here to guide you through the process and ensure your smile stays healthy. Book your consultation today and take the first step toward safeguarding your dental health.