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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you crown a cracked tooth that doesn't hurt? Equally feeling bad at the idea of essentially losing this tooth at 27.

26 replies

loopylass13 · 20/04/2018 23:50

So my tooth is cracked. It has been that way for 18 months. The dentist was happy to "wait and see" but i got in a little flap thinking it would have to be pulled out as very close to the gum line. Basically the dentist said they could crown it for me so that it does not go any worse as that is the risk if left. However I am not sure. My vanity is screaming "Nooooo!!!" at the idea of a fake cover tooth, that once gone - gone forever. I know others have it worse but i am grieving my tooth. I can't bare the idea of losing it either to crown or being pulled, but if left then that is equally the risk I am taking. I am only 27 so feel like it is a major knock to my ego as I consider my teeth one of my few beauties as I am an ugly ducking in many other ways. I want to cry and it is only a tooth! If I go for the crown, I also have to choose being the £250 silver version or the £600 white version, not sure I can justify that money when I have other bills. But I have to live with my smile. I don't know what to do for the best and if my feelings are normal going through something like this. Can those who have had to have a crowned tooth share their insight and experience with me. It feels like I am grieving such a stupid little thing but it still pains me.

OP posts:
Fruitcorner123 · 20/04/2018 23:53

For me this depends where in your mouth. I have a gap right at the back of my mouth. I was mortified when it happened but no-one ever notices and I couldn't care less now. Glad I didn't pay for a fake tooth. It would have been hundreds of pounds on credit card for a tooth you can't see anyway.

Userplusnumbers · 20/04/2018 23:57

It's not like a cracked tooth is going to get any better...

MCSpammer · 21/04/2018 00:03

Yep, it'll only get weaker with time and one day you'll be eating something hard (hopefully not penis) and half of it (tooth not penis) will break off in a jagged mess and it'll be emergency dentist time for you to get it crowned.

Puffycat · 21/04/2018 00:03

Seriously depends where the tooth is. Will it show? I know it seems like a lot of money but you can’t cheap on your teeth.
I had a cracked molar once and it hurt like bugger.
Get it sorted!

Aquamarine1029 · 21/04/2018 00:08

Where is the tooth?

Aquamarine1029 · 21/04/2018 00:09

If it effects the way your smile looks then you should absolutely fix it. No question. Of it's a back molar that can't even be seen you don't have to worry.

Waterlemon · 21/04/2018 00:13

The thing is that you cannot “wait and see” as the outcome is inevitable- the tooth will break at some point in the future. So the sooner you do something about it the better.

I recently started seeing a private dentist after only ever being treated by nhs. My teeth are shocking - lots of damage done in childhood/teens and poor dentistry.

I’ve also been revcomended a crown for a cracked tooth - except this dentist’s crown will sit on top like a little hat rather than cover the whole tooth. And hold the tooth together. I have other crowns and was shocked with how much actual tooth is lost when they fit a full nhs crown.you are left with a tiny stump! My private dentist will never remove any of the healthy tooth.

I would say that if you need a crown, have it done but go private. Although there is nothing wrong with nhs dentists, the quality and techniques used cannot match that of a private dentist. It’s not cheap though! My crown will be nearer £1000! But I will be keeping all of the tooth that Is currently there.i now see money spent on my teeth as an investment.

However, if it’s a back tooth and not visible when you smile, I would wait a little longer then simply have it removed. (And save yourself a small fortune)

YouCantGetHereFromThere · 21/04/2018 00:35

I would get the crown. I had a cracked tooth for a couple of years and it constantly felt like it was going to fall apart. Got a white crown and it feels so much better. I've had it for nearly 10 years with no problems.

vampirethriller · 21/04/2018 07:20

Cracked teeth can cause horrible problems. One ended up giving me an abscess which then gave me sepsis, because for ages it didn't bother me and I was too vain to get it taken out. Don't leave it!

Walkingthroughawall · 21/04/2018 07:43

I'd probably take the dentist's advice - it is their area of expertise after all. As others have said - the cosmetic element depends a bit on where the tooth is. Even if you're not so worried about the appearance, you/dentist also need to think about the teeth on either side - a gap makes the teeth on either side slightly more vulnerable to damage. My front 4 teeth are crowns - hated every second of the procedure but they've lasted over 20 years so far. From a cost-benefit PoV, £600 for a crown now may feel expensive but it may well save you more than £600 in repeat procedures/appointments over the next few years if it's just left alone.

Butterymuffin · 21/04/2018 07:48

It's cracked and needs something done. Don't just leave it. As pp have said, but different if it's at the back but sounds like it's on show, in which case get the best crown you can and get your confidence back.

e1y1 · 21/04/2018 07:51

Are you joking? Doing nothing will guarantee one thing only, you losing the tooth (just loosing if your lucky) infection and abscess if you are not lucky.

You are still very young, but everyday of your life you are getting older and this is one of the things that happens.

If it makes you feel any better, all the Hollywood smiles are crowned and veneered to the 9s.

Of course, there is no substitute to a real tooth, but now yours is cracked it needs fixing. A healthy, functional tooth even if it is with a crown is better than the alternative (no tooth).

Personwithhorse · 21/04/2018 07:51

I did’nt think they can crown a cracked one, you might need root canal which is not nice as well, if it can’t be seen at the back it might be better to have it out - bitter experience!

e1y1 · 21/04/2018 07:52

*you’re lucky

Minkywater · 21/04/2018 08:00

I would crown it because:

  1. The structure has weakened and with time it will crack further. Could be in a month or ten years. If you bite down on something hard it will crack and there is no telling how it will crack so it could break in an awkward way that makes it impossible to save at all looking at extraction.

Even if its at the back and no one sees it can affect your bite

Also it leaves it more vulnerable to decay and infection as it will be harder to clean and more of the enamel is exposed.

I know its not nice having dental work done and the costs are high.. i also appreciate that you feel you are too young but in reality these things happen and even if you were older it still sucks. There are far younger people than you with far more dental work done. No point in comparing.

Another thing is that a crown isnt a fake or false tooth. There is a tooth underneath it its just a cap. A false tooth is one attached to an implant for example or in dentures.

At least what happened to you is not due to decay and lack of oral hygiene. In the kindest way possible, perhaps its time to take pride in health rather than shallowness. As the saying goes, shit happens.

Minkywater · 21/04/2018 08:09

Why would you extract a salvagable tooth? If you can afford it you can get a ceramic crown. It looks so natural.
Also if that cracked tooth gets infected or food gets stuck and it becomes hard toclean..even if painless can make your breath smell. Its not just about whether it shows when you smile!

I also agree that the most beautiful smiles have had work done be it crowns or bonding or veneers. Its not the olden days where the option is either having natural your tooth or a false one. It really doesnt have to be that extreme!

llangennith · 21/04/2018 08:13

Is that the cost from a private dental practice? I had a large white crown a year ago with an NHS dentist and the cost was £184.

cansu · 21/04/2018 08:13

S porcelain crown costs 250.00. just get it done.

Original poster
loopylass13 · 21/04/2018 09:13

Thank you everyone, made me see sense. Really helped to vent somewhere and realise, that I am not alone and it is okay to feel what i feel. I do need it crowned. It is a top tooth, number 5 from the front and I can see it when I smile. I naturally bite first there so likely only a matter of time before I make it worse. It is a NHS practice they stated the NHS price is 250 for a silver looking crown, but to do it with them privately would be between 450 and 600 depending whether just white or the white fused with metal. The dentist stated she would need to remove 2 millimetres around the tooth, does that sound right? I also had a massive cry at my dad this morning and I might have accidently guilted him into helping me cover a little of the cost of the more expensive option, oops. I will pay him back given time. Thank you everyone sooooo much, I really appreciate your time and effort and little me be practical in my shallowness x

OP posts:
cansu · 22/04/2018 14:56

I have a white porecelain crown and it cost 250 ish I think. I would check the prices as I can't see why it should be silver??

ArdnaGreine · 22/04/2018 15:28

I believe most NHS practices provide you with a "white" crown on the 5th tooth back. It may be ceramic fused to metal. It's possible the practice may be bending the rules slightly.
Do you like and trust your dentist?
A private crown will be superior in appearance. It might be worth seeing what local private practices offer.

SluttyButty · 22/04/2018 15:47

I have a cracked bottom molar and the dentist has decided to leave it because it's causing no issues, I can't see it so I don't care.
I needed a filling replaced in a pre molar that you can see when I smile. I paid the extortionate fee for a composite white filling.
Apparently a premolar doesn't qualify for white treatment so there's no choice but to pay the private fee to avoid the silver look.

BirdyWordy · 22/04/2018 15:49

A cracked tooth will just get worse and eventually go grey or break off won't it?

Would a dentist really put a silver tooth so close to the front?
Apologies, I'm elsewhere in Europe and we only have white fillings and crowns. Metal fillings and crowns are an English thing.

I would look into private.

SluttyButty · 22/04/2018 15:49

I missed a bit out. A premolar doesn't qualify for white treatment on the nhs is what it should have said.

peacheachpearplum · 22/04/2018 15:55

OP I'm nearly 40 years old than you and I'd get it crowned, funnily enough one of my molars cracked at Easter and I'm due to see dentist next month about a crown. I have a total phobia about ending up with dentures so not going to let any of my teeth go without a fight. I've got a full set and that is how I want it to stay. It is money well spent in my view.