Can a crown be removed without damaging the tooth?

[Zach_H]

I have a crown on my upper 1st molar that’s a little over a decade old. My dentist told me at some point, that tooth would probably need a root canal, but it would be a while. I’ve been having discomfort in that area and will have to make an appointment soon. I wanted to give it a few days and make sure I didn’t just bite oddly, etc...

The crown is a PFM on an upper first molar and is on permanently. I don’t care if the crown is ruined and a new one is needed. Is it possible to get it off without damaging the tooth itself? How challenging will this be on my end? Is it painful or long, etc...?

Can any dentist do this or is a specialist needed?

Thanks!

 

[MountainMama]

I have a crown on my upper 1st molar that’s a little over a decade old. My dentist told me at some point, that tooth would probably need a root canal, but it would be a while. I’ve been having discomfort in that area and will have to make an appointment soon. I wanted to give it a few days and make sure I didn’t just bite oddly, etc...

The crown is a PFM on an upper first molar and is on permanently. I don’t care if the crown is ruined and a new one is needed. Is it possible to get it off without damaging the tooth itself? How challenging will this be on my end? Is it painful or long, etc...?

Can any dentist do this or is a specialist needed?

Thanks!

I had a crown replaced. It can be done without damaging the tooth. They break it apart as they take it off, then use something similar to a grinder to get the pieces off. It doesn't hurt. They numbed me, because there was decay under my crown, so they had to drill. It was done at my regular dentist.

 

[Judythecat]

My friend had a root canal done through a crown. The Dentist just drilled into it to create the access opening.

 

[Zach_H]

My friend had a root canal done through a crown. The Dentist just drilled into it to create the access opening.

I think that’s what the endodontist will do as well when the time comes, but I don’t want to have a patch in the bottom of the crown where I eat and chew....it will make me insane and paranoid. When I had a temp filling with my last root canal I would look at it everynight with a flashlight to make sure it was there.

I have a little OCD and would rather know everything was ok if possible.

 

[Zach_H]

I had a crown replaced. It can be done without damaging the tooth. They break it apart as they take it off, then use something similar to a grinder to get the pieces off. It doesn't hurt. They numbed me, because there was decay under my crown, so they had to drill. It was done at my regular dentist.

Thanks. Was your crown a PFM?

I wonder how they know there is decay, etc... since the metal blocks everything on the X-ray ? Did you have pain?

thanks again.

 

[MountainMama]

Thanks. Was your crown a PFM?

I wonder how they know there is decay, etc... since the metal blocks everything on the X-ray ? Did you have pain?

thanks again.

I am pretty sure it was. I know it was harder to take off, but at some point the dentist said the metal came apart and it came off, so it wasn't all ceramic. The reason they knew there was decay was that they could see a slight shadow on the tooth, below the crown. It was very close to the nerve, and I ended up needing a root canal while wearing the temporary crown. I actually went back to get the permanent crown put on, and it hurt to take off the temporary, so the dentist wanted to wait and see if the pain increased before putting the permanent on. She said it would be better to not drill through the crown if we could avoid it. It ended up having shooting pains and biting pain about two weeks later and I got a root canal

 

[saralou35]

I had a reroot canal through a crown last week! The Endodontist did it! He’s filled it up and just looks like a tooth with a filling now? U can’t see it and I think it’s quite secure!

 

[Zach_H]

I am pretty sure it was. I know it was harder to take off, but at some point the dentist said the metal came apart and it came off, so it wasn't all ceramic. The reason they knew there was decay was that they could see a slight shadow on the tooth, below the crown. It was very close to the nerve, and I ended up needing a root canal while wearing the temporary crown. I actually went back to get the permanent crown put on, and it hurt to take off the temporary, so the dentist wanted to wait and see if the pain increased before putting the permanent on. She said it would be better to not drill through the crown if we could avoid it. It ended up having shooting pains and biting pain about two weeks later and I got a root canal

Thanks for the feedback. I like your dentists conservative approach. It has to be better to have the temporary crown on and off, etc...as needed than to mess with the final crown.

I had a molar that got retreated with another root canal that I fear is not going to make it (fingers crossed it will) and my dentist and the endodontist both suggested using the temporary crown until we know the status of the tooth. No point wasting a bunch of money or the years insurance benefit to find out it was for nothing. The dental loop is not a fun one.

 

[Zach_H]

I had a reroot canal through a crown last week! The Endodontist did it! He’s filled it up and just looks like a tooth with a filling now? U can’t see it and I think it’s quite secure!

Thats great. I don’t doubt it would work and be fine, only that I’d be paranoid about it and obsess needlessly. The last thing I need in life is something else to worry obsessively over lol