Choosing a crown
How long do dental crowns last? +
Usually somewhere between 5 and 15 years, and sometimes longer. What decides it is mostly everyday habits: how well you clean to the gumline, any grinding, and what you bite on. Decay at the crown's edge is a common reason they're replaced. A crown that has served for ten years isn't failing, while one that's loose or sore after three needs a look sooner rather than later.
Which is better, a zirconia or a ceramic crown? +
Neither wins everywhere. Zirconia is very hard and is often chosen for back teeth that take heavy biting. Ceramic that lets light through looks closest to natural enamel, so it often suits a front tooth. Both can chip in the wrong situation. Dr. Mahesh will decide with you by looking at where the tooth sits, how you bite and any grinding, not by a blanket rule.
Do I really need a crown, or can I just get a filling? +
It depends on how much healthy tooth is left. If the walls are still solid, a filling is the gentler option and Dr. Mahesh will say so. A crown makes sense when a tooth is cracked, or so broken down that a filling would have little to hold on to. You're welcome to ask to see the X-ray, have the reasoning explained, and take a second opinion if you want one.
Is a cap compulsory after a root canal, and how soon does it go on? +
Not on every tooth, but most back teeth that have had a root canal are advised to get one, because a treated tooth is more brittle and can split. A front tooth with plenty of healthy structure sometimes manages with a filling. Usually a temporary filling goes in first and the crown follows at a later visit once the tooth has settled, so go easy on that side until then.
Bridges, implants and missing teeth
Is it better to get a bridge or an implant? +
It depends on your bone, the neighbouring teeth and how long you're willing to wait. An implant replaces the root, protects the jawbone and leaves neighbouring teeth untouched, but it needs enough bone, surgery and months of healing. A bridge is quicker and has no surgery, but the teeth beside the gap are shaped and take extra load. Our
dental implants page explains that route, and Dr. Mahesh can compare both for your gap.
Do the teeth next to the gap have to be filed down for a bridge? +
For a traditional bridge, yes: the two teeth beside the gap are shaved so crowns can fit over them. That's the main drawback, especially when those teeth are healthy. Some front-tooth gaps can be filled with a bonded bridge that needs far less shaping, though it isn't suitable everywhere. If cutting healthy teeth bothers you, say so, because it's a fair reason to compare with an implant.
Can I eat normally with a bridge? +
Yes, once it's fitted and the bite feels comfortable. Avoid chewing ice or very hard things, as with any crown work. What people underestimate is the cleaning: food and plaque collect under the false tooth, and decay in the supporting teeth is a common reason bridges fail. A floss threader or small interdental brush used once a day is what keeps one going.
How long can I leave a missing tooth before it matters? +
There's no fixed deadline, but waiting for years can have a cost. Neighbouring teeth may tilt into the space, the tooth opposite can drift downwards, and the bone where the tooth was slowly shrinks, which can make a bridge or implant harder later. If you're not ready, get the gap assessed and ask how urgent yours is. If the tooth is still in your mouth but failing, see
tooth extraction.
During and after treatment
Does getting a crown fitted hurt? +
Usually not, because the tooth is numbed before it's shaped. You'll feel pressure and vibration, and the injection itself is brief. Afterwards the tooth and gum can feel tender, or sensitive to hot and cold, for a short while, sometimes a couple of weeks. A tooth that has had a root canal has no nerve left to ache, though the gum around it can still be tender.
Why does my crown hurt when I bite down? +
Often because the crown sits a touch too high and takes the bite before the other teeth do, which is a quick fix at the clinic. Other causes include an inflamed tooth nerve, a crack, or decay at the edge, so it needs a check rather than waiting. Some sensitivity for a couple of weeks after fitting is normal, but pain on biting that carries on, or that wakes you at night, deserves a call.
What should I do if my crown comes loose or falls off? +
Keep it somewhere safe, clean it gently and call the clinic as soon as you can. Don't glue it back with household adhesive, which can damage the tooth and stop the crown seating properly. The exposed tooth may be sensitive and can chip, so avoid chewing on it. Bring the crown along: sometimes it can be re-cemented, and sometimes the tooth underneath has decayed and it no longer fits.
Can I travel or go to work with a temporary crown? +
Yes, for short periods, but it's weak by design. Temporary crowns are usually plastic and meant to last only until the real one arrives, so avoid chewy, sticky and hard food and floss carefully. If you have a trip coming, tell us at the first visit so the appointments can be planned around it. If the temporary comes off, call the clinic rather than waiting until you're home.
Cost and timing
What decides the cost of a crown or bridge? +
The number of teeth involved, the material, the laboratory work and whether the teeth need other treatment first, such as a root canal or gum care, all change the cost. A bridge is more than one crown, so it involves more work. We can only give a fair estimate after Dr. Mahesh has examined you, so call or
message us on WhatsApp to book that.
How many visits does a crown take, and how long is the wait? +
Usually two visits: one to shape the tooth and take the impression, and one to fit the finished crown. In between, the laboratory needs time to make it, often two to three weeks and sometimes longer. If you have a date to meet, say so at the first visit. Any root canal or gum treatment needed beforehand adds to the number of visits.
