Over the years, teeth become damaged due to several reasons including natural wear and tear, decay, and more. At Prime Family Dentistry, we offer a solution for damaged teeth: dental crowns.
A dental crown is a restorative dental device that is used to salvage the structure of a severely damaged tooth. It is a tooth-shaped cap that is placed over the affected tooth. A dental crown may also be used with a dental implant to replace a missing tooth.
There are several reasons why you might need a dental crown:
Cover/protect a weak tooth
Stabilize cracked tooth
Repair broken tooth
Repair severely worn-down tooth
Cover/strengthen a tooth with a large filling and little natural tooth structure
Reinforce a tooth after root canal treatment
Anchor dental bridge
Repair misshapen/discolored tooth
As an artificial tooth with a dental implant
Cost of Dental Crowns
The average cost of a dental crown ranges from a low of $400 to a high of $3,000. There are several factors involved in determining the cost, including the material used in the crown and your insurance coverage. Most dental plans will cover up to 50% of the cost of restorative crowns. The average cost of each type of crown is as follows:
Ceramic: $800 to $3,000
Metal: $600 to $2,500
PFM: $500 to $1,500
Composite: $400 to $600
Our office staff will be happy to work with your insurance provider to determine coverage for your dental crown. If you do not have insurance coverage or if your coverage is unsatisfactory, we do offer financing options.
Dental Crown Procedure
When it comes to dental crowns, you have two options:
Traditional, which requires at least 2 appointments
Same-day, which can be completed within 4 hours
Traditional Crowns
Traditional crowns require at least 2 appointments.
The first appointment involves examining and preparing the tooth that needs a crown, which involves filing down the tooth and removing a portion of the enamel. Then, we will create an impression of the affected tooth as well as the neighboring teeth. This will be sent to the lab for the fabrication of your custom crown- which usually takes several weeks. We will place a temporary crown on the affected tooth while you wait.
Once the permanent crown is returned to the office, we will have you come in to have it placed. First, we will make sure that it fits properly. Then, we will secure it with dental cement.
Same-Day Crowns
Some dental clinics have the ability to create dental crowns in the office. This process typically takes under 4 hours and allows you to skip the temporary crown and several weeks of waiting.
First, digital pictures are taken of your mouth, which will be put into the computer to fabricate your custom crown. This typically takes a few hours and, depending on your personal situation, you may be able to run some errands or even go back to work while you wait. Once the crown is made, we make sure that it fits and then secure it in place with dental cement.
Care and Maintenance of Dental Crowns
Care and maintenance of dental crowns depends on whether you have a temporary or permanent crown.
Temporary crowns
are typically placed when you must wait for the lab to fabricate your permanent one. Therefore, they’re not designed to last very long, which means it’s critical to properly care for it so it doesn’t fail before your permanent one is ready. Here are a few tips to care for and maintain your temporary crown:
Avoid sticky or hard foods
Floss properly
Chew on the opposite side as much as possible
Permanent crowns
are designed to last up to 20 years with proper care and maintenance, including:
Practicing proper oral hygiene including brushing and flossing properly and using an alcohol-free mouthwash
Practice proper oral habits including not using teeth as tools, not crunching on hard candies or ice, etc
Dental Crown Benefits
Dental crowns offer several benefits, including:
Salvaging the structure of a severely damaged tooth
Protects a dead tooth from falling apart
Versatile cosmetic and functional treatment
Best protection for a tooth with a history of decay
More durable than other restorations
Dental Crown FAQs
How long do dental crowns last?
On average, dental crowns last 5 to 15 years. If cared for properly, a crown may last up to 20 years. Some indications that a crown is nearing the end of it’s lifespan include:
Pain in the crowned tooth
Feeling of instability of the crown
Crown is not aesthetically pleasing
Is a dental crown painful?
No, a dental crown is not painful. Thanks to the advancements in dental technology, most dental procedures can be done pain-free.
Do dental crowns hurt?
Patients are given local anesthesia to numb the area before we get started. Therefore, you should not feel any pain. If you have dental anxiety, we offer sedation options to keep you relaxed during the procedure. You may have some discomfort as the anesthesia wears off, but this should subside fairly quickly.
How does a dental crown work?
A dental crown is a restorative device used to cover and protect a severely damaged tooth. It is a cap that fully encases the tooth, which prevents bacteria from getting into the tooth and causing further damage and decay.
