Can my cracked crown be replaced? i have a porcelain crown that i cracked while eating. can it be repaired, or will it have to be replaced entirely?

As : As dr timmerman suggested, it may be "fixed", but the repair will not last. If the fit of the crown is sound, then the broken porcelain is a cosmetic issue.

If : If it is an "all porcelain" crown (no metal underneath) than there is no long term method to repair it. If some porcelain chipped off a crown that has metal inside and underneath the porcelain, than there are methods that can be used to repair that crown in the mouth, but the repair material is not as shiny, durable, or as strong as the original porcelain and therefore will generally deteriorate or break again in time. Any repair is usually merely a temporary fix. Unfortunately, the only long term option is to replace the cracked crown with a new one. I would suggest you first discuss with your dentist the type of "porcelain" crown, as some tooth colored materials are stronger than others.

A : A cracked crown can and should be replaced. If the tooth under the crown is cracked, then the situation is different.

Replace : Replace or repair will depend on the size of the chip. If it is very small, a dentist can smooth it out and polish it. If that is not possible, then complete replacement is needed. Unfortunately crowns cannot be repaired in the mouth, as any attempt is only a temporary fix if it is cracked and not chipped or broken, it is possible to just leave it alone. If properly bonded, it may not be an issue, other than esthetics, and might be ignored.

See your dentist: Only your dentist can make this treatment decision, and only after he/she has had an opportunity to evaluate your specific and individual situation.