Here at Healthy Smiles Dental Care in Barton City, we always strive to help patients retain their natural teeth for as long as possible. To that end, we offer a number of restoratives services that can seamlessly repair broken teeth, including dental crowns. If you have a suffering tooth that may be able to benefit from this procedure, get in touch with us right away. We will evaluate the situation and do all we can to get your oral health back on track ASAP.
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that fits over the entire portion of a tooth that is visible above the gumline. It is a custom-made restoration whose job is to protect a damaged tooth while also restoring its function, strength, and appearance.
Dental crowns can be used in a number of different situations. For example, we may recommend that you receive one if:
To start the crown process, we will first prepare your tooth by removing a bit of its enamel. This step is necessary to ensure that your restoration will fit well. Next, we will use advanced scanning equipment to capture a digital impression of your mouth. We will design your crown using state-of-the-art software, and then our in-house milling unit will create your permanent restoration out of top-quality ceramic. Once it is ready, we will verify its fit before attaching it to your tooth.
This one-visit process is superior to the traditional process for creating crowns, which requires at least two appointments and makes it necessary for patients to wear a temporary restoration while a laboratory creates a permanent one.
After you get a dental crown, you can expect to enjoy a number of benefits, including:
The cost of dental crowns can vary depending on a few factors. When you visit us for your restorative consultation, we can talk about specific numbers. We can also tell you about your payment options, such as insurance, financing, and our Kleer membership savings plan. We want to make the process of paying for your care as low-stress as possible.
Some factors that can influence the cost of dental crowns include:
Keep in mind that cheaper is not always better when it comes to dental care! You should be extremely wary of any deals for “bargain” crowns that you may come across.
In most cases, yes, dental crowns are covered by insurance. They are usually classed as a major procedure, so about 50% of their cost may be covered, up to the amount of your plan’s annual maximum. Of course, some stipulations could apply (medically necessary crowns are more likely to be covered than crowns that are purely for cosmetic purposes). Our insurance-friendly team can help you confirm how your unique policy may reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.
In addition to insurance, there are a few provisions that might make it easier for you to afford your care:
Are you eager to learn more about dental crowns and their cost? Contact our team today to book your consultation. We are eager to speak with you!
A well-made dental crown could be the key to allowing you to keep your natural tooth even after it has been damaged. If you would like to learn more about dental crowns before having one placed, you can always schedule a consultation at our office; our team can answer any questions you might have. If you would rather do a little research of your own first, feel free to check out our dental crown FAQs below.
Your dental crown won’t last forever, but you can potentially keep it for a very long time before eventually needing to get a new one. The lifespan of a dental crown can be anywhere from 5 to 15 years. Generally speaking, the most significant factor that will determine the longevity of your restoration is the care you give it. Make sure that you’re taking the right steps to help your crown last as long as possible. For example, you should stay away from bad habits such as nail biting that could damage your crown.
There’s no risk of your dental crown developing a cavity. However, the tooth underneath the restoration will still be as susceptible to decay as the rest of your smile. If harmful oral bacteria are allowed to gather around your crown, they might slip underneath it and attack the protected tooth. The good news is that even after a crown is placed, brushing and flossing remain effective ways to prevent tooth decay. On top of that, if you visit our office for a checkup and cleaning, we can make sure that your crown and the tooth underneath it are still in good shape.
If you’re told that you need a dental crown, you should make a point of having the procedure performed as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that the tooth will suffer from further damage or decay. At a certain point, saving the tooth may no longer be an option; it will have to be extracted in order to protect the rest of your smile. It’s in your best interest to have a dental crown placed before your oral health issues have a chance to grow significantly worse.
Losing a dental crown isn’t necessarily an emergency situation, but it’s definitely a problem that needs to be resolved quickly; the tooth will be at a heightened risk for further decay or injury as long as it remains exposed. We recommend waiting no more than a few days to visit our office. We’ll figure out what steps to take next based on the state of your crown. Sometimes we may be able to simply reattach it, but if it has been lost or badly damaged, you will need to get a replacement.