Cracked teeth, large cavities, and teeth treated with a root canal procedure often need a larger filling to keep them safe and restore their chewing capabilities. Dental crowns are deluxe restorations that fit over your existing tooth like a cap. They are custom made to both look and feel like a real tooth and help keep the healthy structure of your teeth underneath safe from dangerous bacteria and plaque. This allows you to keep your natural teeth while protecting your smile from further damage.
Why Choose Hilltop Dental for Dental Crowns?
- Custom made, lifelike restorations
- Dental insurance accepted and flexible financing options available
- A variety of durable, natural-looking materials used
What Is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a deluxe tooth restoration that both looks and feels like a natural tooth. These prosthetics are custom made in a dental lab based on impressions made of your real teeth. Your crown will be attached to the existing healthy structure of your tooth by fitting over it like a cap and then cemented into place by your dentist. With proper care and usage, it could last for 15+ years.
If you have a tooth with healthy roots but that has extensive damage to the enamel or needs a root canal, you could be a good candidate for this treatment. Dental crowns are an excellent way to fix chips, cracks, and large cavities or areas of tooth decay.
The Process of Getting a Dental Crown
Getting a dental crown begins with your dentist taking impressions of your tooth. These will be sent to the lab as a model for your new crown. At the Center for Advanced Dentistry, we are proud to recommend a variety of materials for your dental crown, depending on your personal preferences as well as the location of the tooth. These materials could include porcelain, resin fused to metal, gold, EMAX, zirconia, or others. Your dentist can discuss your recommended options during your appointment.
Next, Dr. Lester will remove any damaged or decayed tooth enamel, creating space for the crown and protecting the tooth from further damage. Your tooth will then be fitted with a temporary crown to wear until your new one is back from the lab. Typically, it takes about two weeks to receive the finished product.
Once your new crown is ready, you will return to Hilltop Dental to have it cemented into place on your tooth. Dr. Lester will remove the temporary crown and place the new one. Once the cement has hardened (within minutes) you can begin to use your treated tooth just as you would your healthy, natural tooth.
Benefits of Getting a Dental Crown
Unlike other parts of your body, your teeth cannot repair themselves. Thus, neglecting damaged teeth could eventually lead to worsening oral health problems, including tooth infections and tooth loss.
Thankfully, dental crowns can often protect your teeth from future damage while restoring both their appearance and function. Because they are custom made to fit your mouth, your dental crown provides improved comfort and chewing ability, as well as protection for the existing tooth structure, often preventing the need for extraction. Because they are fully customizable, your crowns blend in seamlessly with your existing teeth, so nobody needs to know they are restorations. In fact, you may forget they’re not your real teeth, too!
Your dental crowns can last for over fifteen years with proper care and usage. Simply brush and floss them just as you would your natural, untreated teeth, and be sure to visit Dr. Lester for your regular, biannual exam and cleaning appointments.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Crowns
If you’ve been recommended by Dr. Q to get dental crowns, then it’s likely one of the best options for strengthening and protecting your tooth. It’s also important for you to know how much your treatment will cost so that you can work within your budget. During your consultation, we’ll discuss the price estimate as well as your financial options. Until then, here’s what you should know about the cost of dental crowns.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Dental Crowns
Several different factors can influence the price of your restorations, including:
- The severity of damage: The level of complexity of treating your underlying tooth will impact how much you’ll have to pay. This means that if you have an infected tooth, then you might require a root canal treatment as a preliminary service before getting your dental crown, which can increase the overall cost of your dental care.
- The materials used: Your dental crown can be constructed out of a variety of materials, including zirconia, Emax, gold, and resin fused to metal—each of which comes with its unique price point. Our team will discuss which type of dental crown material would be best for you, depending on the location of the tooth in the mouth as well as other factors.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are considered a major restorative dental procedure, so they will most likely receive at least partial coverage for the cost of treatment. While every insurance policy is different, most companies can help pay for about 50% of the total price so long as you meet your annual deductible. Of course, it’s always a good idea to consult your insurer before committing to any dental treatment so that you know the details of your plan beforehand. You can also speak with our knowledgeable team, as we’ll be more than happy to help file claims on your behalf to make the process easier.
Options for Making Dental Crowns Affordable
If you aren’t covered by dental insurance, this doesn’t mean you’ll be on your own completely when paying for dental crowns. Our practice is proud to offer an in-house dental savings plan that provides significant discounts on various dental treatments, including dental crowns, for just one low annual fee. You can also opt for CareCredit—a third-party financier that has plans that turn the total price of your dental care into monthly installments, most of which come with little to no interest!