What Is a Dental Crown Buildup?

If there's too much damage to a tooth, your dentist might suggest a crown. The dentist normally shapes the remaining tooth and creates a crown. Sometimes too little of the tooth is intact and the dentist needs to create a sturdier support for the crown. This often is the case if there's a root canal on the tooth.

Function

• A crown buildup gives more body to the tooth so the crown has something substantial to hold.

Types

• A crown buildup might involve simply building with bonding composite material or require a post to create a stronger bond.

Time Frame

• Normally, the dentist completes the crown buildup when he makes a form for the permanent crown and puts a temporary crown onto the tooth.

Considerations

• A crown buildup is just that--a buildup. It isn't intended to be the final restoration on the tooth.

Benefits

• A crown and crown buildup, often accompanied by a root canal, is one way to save a tooth that otherwise might need to be pulled.

Cost

• A crown buildup is an additional cost to the crown procedure and is quoted in the price separately.