What Are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are, in essence, a specially made “cap” that will fit over a damaged, broken, or aesthetically displeasing tooth. There are several options with varying materials available, including porcelain and zirconia.
Unlike veneers which are simply shells applied to the front of the tooth, crowns are formed as an entire tooth, sliding over and covering the natural tooth. Dental crowns are a good option for those with damaged or broken teeth or teeth that need a large amount of filling. Because the crown covers and protects the original tooth, it can prevent further damage and decay.
Crowns are typically cared for in much the same way as natural teeth. Regular brushing and flossing along with regular trips to the dentist for a professional examination and cleaning will ensure the longevity of your crown.
Depending on the care taken and quality of work done, a crown can last up to fifteen to twenty years, making it one of the longest-lasting, permanent restorative dental procedures available.
Do I Need A Dental Crown?
There are a few reasons one might consider getting a crown. Crowns can be used to fix damaged teeth, but some opt to have crowns fitted for purely aesthetic reasons. These are just some reasons you may require dental crowns:
- Crowns can be chosen for aesthetic purposes and used to cover up misshapen or stained teeth. Improving perceived imperfections can do wonders for self-esteem and allow the patient to smile with confidence.
- Crowns can be used to restore severely worn down or even broken teeth.
- A tooth requiring a large filling without much natural tooth remaining can benefit from the support a crown covering offers.
- Crowns are usually fitted over dental implants (a permanent, titanium post surgically fitted to the jaw bone as a method of replacing missing teeth).
- Crowns can help hold a bridge in place.
- Teeth treated with root canals can be covered with crowns.
- Teeth weakened from decay can be protected from further damage like further breaking with crowns. They can also hold together a cracked tooth and prevent a full break from occurring.
How Much Do Dental Crowns Cost?
As no two cases are ever identical, a definitive cost for dental crowns cannot be given without the full examination by your Awesome Smiles Expert Dentist. A typical porcelain crown and build-up costs can range greatly depending on your own unique situation, including the number of crowns and the amount of damage to be fixed. Awesome Smiles offers easy payment plans with no credit check, designed to keep your smile looking its best.
How Is My Tooth Prepared For A Dental Crown?
When working with a good, skilled dentist, the preparation for dental crowns is relatively straightforward:
- A full mouth examination will be done. During this step, the dentist will evaluate the tooth to be crowned as well as the surrounding area to determine viability. They may use x-rays to get a better picture of the tooth as well as to see the root of the affected tooth.
- Filing and shaping the tooth. In order to make room for the crown, your dentist will need to shave down the natural tooth. The amount of shaving can vary, but the teeth are generally shaped into peg-shapes to which the crowns will be attached. Usually, light sedation or local anesthetic can be used to numb the area and make the process a bit more comfortable on the patient.
- Teeth impressions and temporary crowns. Not all dentists offer one-day procedures. In this case, impressions will be taken of your teeth for the final crowns to be made. Temporary crowns will be fitted until you come back in for the procedure to be completed, as sometimes it requires 2 visits due to infection.
- Scanning the mouth and creating the crown. If you are having a one-day procedure, your dentist will take a scan of your mouth and create a 3D replica. From here, the crowns are designed using special software before being sculpted from porcelain or zirconia. This is a great choice for people who want immediate results, so it’s good to find a dentist who offers this option.
- Installing the crown. Once the crown has been made (either with the same-day process or alternatively a few weeks after your temporary crowns were fitted), the final crown can be installed. Using a special dental cement, the crown is applied over the prepared tooth. Once dry, the crown is permanently in place and you’re all set to leave with your new smile.
Awesome Smiles – World-Class Cosmetic Dentists
At Awesome Smiles, we have worked tirelessly at honing our skills in the field of cosmetic dentistry. With world-class skills and training, we offer nothing short of the best quality and service to all of our patients. Whether you need a routine check-up and cleaning or professional, same-day dental crowns, there is no better place to trust with your teeth than Awesome Smiles.
Patient care is of utmost importance to us, and we have a long list of satisfied clients to prove it. We take pride in our offering of full smile makeovers, just take a look at our gallery to see the stunning results we have achieved.
If you’re ready for a dentistry experience that is nothing short of luxurious, we’d love to hear from you. You are welcome to give us a call at (954) 973-5798 or fill out our convenient online form. We simply can’t wait to quite literally put a smile on your face.
