Broken Crown Repair in Turramurra

A broken crown needs a specialist prosthodontist, not a quick patch. A crown is a custom-made cap that covers a tooth down to the gum. When it cracks, falls off, or starts to leak, the tooth underneath is at risk. At Dental Specialists of Turramurra, our lead prosthodontist, Dr Anthony Au, plans and fits replacement crowns for complex cases through our Broken Crown Repair service.

This page is a plain guide. Short sentences. No jargon unless we explain it.

What is a dental crown?

A crown is a tooth-shaped cap. It is cemented over a prepared natural tooth to give it back its shape, strength, and look. Crowns are made from:

• High-strength porcelain.
• Porcelain bonded to a metal inner layer.
• Gold alloy (used less often today).

Most crowns last 10 to 15 years, sometimes longer, if they are well made and well cared for.

What does a broken crown look like?

There are 4 common ways a crown can fail:

• The crown falls off. The cement has failed. The tooth underneath may be sensitive to air and cold.
• A chunk of porcelain breaks off. You can see a dark line or a missing piece. The tooth may still feel okay.
• The crown feels loose. It rocks when you push it with your tongue. Food gets stuck underneath.
• The crown feels high. Your bite feels off. The tooth aches when you bite down.

If you notice any of these, book in soon. The exposed tooth underneath can decay quickly.

What should I do if my crown falls off?

Follow these 4 steps:

• Find the crown. Pick it up and check it is whole. Put it somewhere safe.
• Rinse your mouth with warm salt water. This cleans the tooth and the crown.
• Do not try to glue it back yourself. Superglue and household glues are not safe in the mouth.
• Call us on (02) 9488 7455. We will see you the same day if we can.

If the tooth aches badly or you have a swelling, contact our emergency line straight away. The team at Dental Specialists of Turramurra keeps emergency slots open every weekday.

Why do crowns break?

The 5 most common reasons are:

• Old age. Crowns wear out after 10 to 15 years.
• Grinding or clenching. A heavy bite cracks porcelain.
• Decay under the crown. A new cavity forms at the edge of the crown where it meets the tooth.
• A poor fit from the start. Gaps let saliva and bacteria in.
• A blow to the face. Sports, falls, or biting something very hard.

A specialist prosthodontist plans the bite, the fit, and the materials together. That is why complex cases are sent to a practice like ours.

Why see a specialist prosthodontist for crown repair?

A prosthodontist is a dentist who has done 3 extra years of full-time training in rebuilding and replacing teeth. Dr Au leads the prosthodontic side of our practice.

There are 4 reasons a specialist matters for a broken crown:

• They can spot the cause, not just the symptom. A crown that broke once will likely break again unless the bite or grinding habit is fixed.
• They plan the full mouth, not just one tooth. A new crown that does not match your bite can break the teeth on the other side.
• They use stronger materials and precise digital scans. A well-made crown from a master ceramist lasts longer.
• They handle complex cases. Crowns on implants, crowns after root canals, and full mouth crowns are all part of our day-to-day work.

What happens at the broken crown visit?

The visit has 4 parts:

• A careful look. We check the crown, the tooth, the bite, and the gum around it. We take digital photos and a scan.
• A plan. We explain the options. Sometimes the old crown can be re-cemented. Often a new crown is the safer long-term choice.
• A temporary fix. If we need time to make the new crown, we cover the tooth with a temporary crown so you are not left with a gap or a sensitive tooth.
• The final crown. Once the new crown is ready, we fit it, check the bite, and cement it in place.

The whole process usually takes 1 to 3 weeks from first visit to final crown.

How long do replacement crowns last?

A well-made crown from our practice can last 10 to 20 years. The 3 biggest factors are:

• Materials. High-strength porcelain with a precise fit lasts longest.
• Bite forces. Grinding or clenching shortens the life of any crown. A night splint helps.
• Care. Daily flossing around the crown, twice-a-day cleaning, and 6-month check-ups keep the gum and tooth underneath healthy.

How much does broken crown repair cost?

Costs depend on the materials, the complexity, and whether the tooth underneath needs extra work. We do not publish prices. After your first visit we give a clear written quote.

You can spread the cost with Afterpay, DentiCare, or humm. We accept BUPA, Medibank, and other major health funds.

How do I book a broken crown consultation?

Call us on (02) 9488 7455 or visit us at Suite 1-2 / 1335 Pacific Highway, Turramurra NSW 2074. We are open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

You can also read more about our Restorative Treatments page for the full range of what we do.

What makes our practice different?

We focus on comfort and on getting the diagnosis right. Dr Au uses a computerised anaesthetic that numbs you drop by drop, so the numbing is gentle. We offer aromatherapy eye packs, virtual reality DVD viewers, and a calm lounge for time-out. Patients who feel nervous can ask about premedication or inhalational analgesia.

We are a Platinum Invisalign Provider, so if your bite is part of why the crown broke, we can plan the bite and the crown together.

Frequently Asked Questions