How Much Tooth Is Needed to Use a Crown?

Crowns can help save a tooth weakened by the fracture of a large filling. Crowns are made from different materials such as porcelain, metal and gold, or they can make a crown with porcelain fused to metal. You usually don't need a lot of the tooth left, but you will need to visit your dentist in order to be completely certain.

Instructions

• 1

  Go to the dentist for an examination. The dentist will probably need to take an X-ray to see how much damage the tooth and roots have sustained.

• 2

  Talk to your dentist about the measurement of your tooth. A crown is possible If you have a ferrule, or rim, of at least 0.0797 inch all the way around your tooth.

• 3

  Discuss with your dentist if he can do the crown. Sometimes when there isn't much of the tooth left, the dentist may need to remove some of the gum before a crown can be put on the tooth.