Can crowns be placed without drilling the tooth?

Because a crown completely covers the tooth, the tooth must be reduced by about the thickness of the crown (typically 1 to 2 mm). If a crown is placed without reduction, the tooth becomes larger than its original size, pressing on the gums and throwing off the bite — which ends up damaging both the tooth and the gums. However, if the damage is limited, partial restorations such as inlays or onlays — which require less tooth reduction — may be an option instead of a crown. After diagnosing the condition of your tooth, we will recommend the approach that preserves the most natural tooth structure.