Why is my crown not fully covering my tooth?

Author: Skylar Dicki  |  Last update: Sunday, July 27, 2025

This often happens when the tooth enamel is trimmed away during the crowning process and the dentin is exposed. This means that the crown does not completely cover your tooth. If this is the case, your dentist can apply a solution to the crowned tooth to protect the exposed dentin from temperature changes.

Should the crown cover the whole tooth?

A dental crown is essentially a “cap” that encases the entire visible part of a tooth, from the gum line upwards. This full coverage ensures that the tooth is protected and restored to its proper shape, size, and strength.

Why does my crown only cover half my tooth?

Sometimes, though, a tooth's damage isn't severe enough to require a complete dental crown. It may also be too much for tooth bonding to fix. In such cases, your dentist may recommend a partial crown, also known as an inlay or onlay, depending on its exact design.

Why is my crown not seating all the way?

Ill-fitting crowns may be the result of clinical and/or laboratory procedures. Quality control is essential at both ends of the spectrum. Seating crowns should be predictable and consistent. In most cases, the problem with loose-fitting crowns is knowing exactly where the contact point is to make an adjustment.

How do you tell if a tooth crown is not fitted properly?

A crown is not correctly fitted if it feels loose or unsteady. A well-fitting crown has to be firmly affixed to the tooth's supporting structure.

Tooth hurt after dental crown? Watch this!

Why is my crown not covering my whole tooth?

This often happens when the tooth enamel is trimmed away during the crowning process and the dentin is exposed. This means that the crown does not completely cover your tooth. If this is the case, your dentist can apply a solution to the crowned tooth to protect the exposed dentin from temperature changes.

Can a crown be adjusted after cemented?

In General, once Dental Veneers in porcelain or Dental crowns are bonded permanently to your tooth, it is tough to reshape and, in most cases, must be redone if, unfortunately, you do not like the color or shape. Your dentist can reshape Porcelain Veneers or crowns.

How to know if a crown was placed incorrectly?

Dental Crowns – How to Identify When Something Is Wrong
  • Sensitivity or discomfort. A newly crowned tooth may be sensitive after the treatment. ...
  • Loose crown. There are cases where the cement may wash out from under the crown. ...
  • Crowns fall off. ...
  • Chipped crown. ...
  • Allergic reaction and dark line.

Why does the crown area always look empty?

Androgenetic alopecia, also known as pattern baldness, is the most common cause of hair loss in the crown area. According to the Norwood scale, it results in progressive hair loss, starting with the recession of the hairline followed by the thinning of the crown.

How to fix crown overhang?

Treatment Options For A Dental Crown Overhanging Margin
  1. Crown Adjustment: Minor overhangs can sometimes be adjusted by your dentist through reshaping the crown.
  2. Crown Replacement: If the overhang is significant or the crown is damaged, replacing the crown may be the best option.

What happens if a crown isn't sealed properly?

Improper Fit: If a crown isn't placed properly and doesn't fit snugly on your tooth, a small hap is left in which bacteria can accumulate. This will cause decay on your natural supporting tooth, weaken it, and eventually cause the crown to loosen and fall out.

Can a permanent crown be removed and put back?

Posted July 31, 2023 . Once a dental crown is placed, it can be removed and replaced. Attempting to do so with force risks damaging both the crown and the underlying tooth structure.

Can you fill a gap between crown and gum?

Re-Cementing the Crown: If the gap results from a loose crown, your dentist might remove, clean, and re-cement it. This procedure ensures a snug fit, preventing bacteria from entering the gap. Adjusting the Crown: Sometimes, minor adjustments to the crown's shape or size can eliminate the gap.

What does a failing crown feel like?

Increase in Pain or Discomfort

Tooth crown discomfort is a common sign of crown failure. Discomfort can arise from an improper fit, causing pressure and pain when chewing. Tooth sensitivity might occur if the crown is too high or if the underlying tooth structure is exposed.

Is it OK to leave a crown off a tooth?

This makes it essential to clean the area of the tooth properly. A tooth can survive for several weeks without a crown. However, this is not advisable as your teeth remain exposed. This could make your teeth sensitive to hot or cold temperatures and cause further damage.

How should a crown sit on a tooth?

A crown fits over your entire tooth, like a snug hat. To ensure a proper fit, a dentist will need to remove a small amount of enamel before bonding your new crown in place. Dental technicians craft crowns from a variety of materials, including resin, metal and porcelain.

What does a failed crown look like?

If there are visible cracks or chips in your custom crown, it's a sign that the crown is damaged and may need to be replaced. Gum Recession: If your gums are receding around your dental crown, it could be a sign of gum disease or a poorly fitted crown.

Is it normal to see scalp through crown?

In most cases, seeing your scalp through your hair is perfectly normal. It's influenced by things like your hair thickness, density, genetics, and of course, aging.

What happens if you don t have enough tooth structure for a crown?

How Can You Restore a Tooth When There's Not Enough Structure for a Crown? If your tooth doesn't have enough structure for a crown, then the dentist will try to rebuild it first. They will use a bit of composite resin to reshape your tooth and give it a bit more structure.

Is a crown supposed to cover the whole tooth?

The procedure of doing a dental crown is a cap that covers the entire tooth, and it is often necessary when a root canal has been done or a tooth was cracked or chipped, among other reasons.

How do you know if your crown needs to be adjusted?

5 Signs That Your Dental Crown Needs to Be Replaced
  1. Your Bite Feels Misaligned. When your dentist first placed your crown, it was designed to fit in seamlessly with your other teeth. ...
  2. You Have Pain or Around Your Crown. ...
  3. Your Crowned Tooth Has Receding Gums. ...
  4. Your Crown Has Visible Damage. ...
  5. Your Crown is Old.

How long does it take for a crown to settle?

On average, most patients feel fully adjusted to their new crown within one to two weeks. But for some, especially those with more extensive dental work, everything may take longer to feel normal.

Can I cement my own crown back in?

Can I Glue My Crown Back On? Dental crowns can be glued back on using special dental cement that can be bought over-the-counter at many drug stores. That said, dental cement is NOT a long-term solution. If your crown has fallen out, first call your dentist to see what they recommend.

What to do if your crown doesn't fit properly?

Discuss this issue with your dentist to see if the crown can be redesigned. Making a bulky crown can make the area less cleanable and not ideal. A poor-fitting crown can also have ledges where food and bacteria can hide, leading to unhealthy gums. This usually results in puffy and bleeding gums.

How to tell if your bite is off after a crown?

Ways to tell if your bite may be off:

It is tender to chew on that tooth/side of the mouth. Something just feels different than it did before. It mainly bothers you when chewing/eating.

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