When Is a Crown Necessary vs. Optional?

This restorative treatment is necessary in the following cases:

1. To save a severely decayed tooth from extraction. Large cavities may not be fixed with tooth fillings, and a crown can protect a natural tooth from further damage.
2. To sub out a large old filling. It might be reasonable to replace a worn-out filling covering over 2/3 of the tooth surface with a dental crown.
3. To repair a harshly chipped, cracked, or broken tooth. Dental crowns can help with major tooth damage, such as injury or decay.
4. To protect a tooth after root canal therapy. Crowns are great for back teeth, which are prone to significant chewing force.
5. To enhance the look of a severely stained or misshapen tooth. A crown can provide such teeth with a natural appeal. 
6. To complete dental implantation. Crowns are irreplaceable for dental implants, being part of the construction that enables you to freely speak, eat, and smile.

A crown isn’t essential for minor cosmetic issues that can be handled with another dental crown alternative.

5 Top Alternatives to Dental Crowns

People seek alternatives to dental crowns in the expectation that they may be less invasive or expensive. Let’s examine several offers of modern dentistry. 

1. Dental Veneers

Veneers are an aesthetic alternative to crown for cracked tooth since they cope with minor chips, discoloration, and misshapen teeth. The placement procedure involves removing a tiny amount of enamel, while a crown requires grinding 1–2 millimetres of tooth structure from all sides to be positioned properly. Though porcelain veneers are considered less intrusive, they may lack the protective properties of dental crowns in the case of substantial tooth damage.

2. Inlays and Onlays

Porcelain inlays are “indirect fillings” bonded inside the decayed tooth, while onlays are placed on the tooth surface. Both are made in a dental lab for a custom fit. They are a more natural alternative to dental crown due to the preservation of a maximum amount of the tooth structure. However, onlays don’t cover all tooth cusps, and inlays don’t shield any. They only cope with moderate damage to the chewing surfaces.

3. Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is effective against cavities, chips, gaps, and discoloration. This non-invasive procedure involves applying color-matched resin to the processed tooth and bonding it with a blue light. It’s less expensive than a crown but doesn’t provide the damaged tooth with the utmost protection. It is also considered less durable.

4. Large Dental Fillings

Tooth fillings can cope with minor tooth damage, but they are not that efficient for large cavities. Crowns are more preferable in this respect since large fillings can crack, split, or fall out because of continuous chewing load. 

5. Temporary Crowns

Temporary crowns can’t be viewed as a full-fledged alternative to conventional crowns. They are commonly made of acrylic or stainless steel, while permanent crowns are manufactured from biocompatible zirconia and porcelain. Their main functions are to shield the prepared tooth from bacteria and mechanical damage, prevent bite misalignment, and maintain a smile’s aesthetics.

How to Choose the Right Option 

If you are tempted to make an unauthorized decision, consider that only an experienced dentist can suggest the most advantageous treatment for a unique case. We’ve summarized the main features of crown options to contribute to a constructive dialogue with your doctor.

Crown alternative	Pros	Cons
Dental veneers	Perfect for minor chips, cracks, discolorations, or misshapen teeth;Enhance smile aesthetics.	Placement requires a tiny amount of enamel to be removed;Serve only cosmetic purposes, while crowns fortify the entire tooth.
Inlays and onlays	Repair cavities or moderate damage to the chewing surfaces of teeth;Designed to reinforce teeth with custom-made materials;Less costly than crowns.	Provide less coverage than crowns.
Dental bonding	Fixes minor chips, gaps, discoloration, and cavities;More affordable than crowns;Painless application;Lifespan is up to a decade.	Сrowns outperform dental bonding in durability.
Large dental fillings	Mend minor tooth damage and moderate cavities;Budget-friendly crown alternative.	Provide less protection than crowns.
Temporary crowns	Quick placement;Lower price compared to permanent crowns.	A short-term solution;Fit less precisely than a conventional crown.

Conclusion

Despite a number of available crown alternatives, the choice of treatment depends on your individual dental needs. It’s reasonable to consult a qualified dentist to examine your tooth’s condition and make a well-grounded decision. A professional may suggest several options to choose from, but sometimes a crown is the only way to save an affected tooth from untimely death.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Crown Alternatives

Additional Resources

Interested in the efficiency of ceramic onlay and overlay restorations? Read this 5-year clinical performance review by dental experts in Turkey!