Dental Crowns – Covington, GA
Protecting Damaged or Compromised Teeth
Although tooth enamel is the hardest material in the human body, this doesn’t mean that they’re indestructible. Your teeth can potentially become compromised in all sorts of ways, and they can end up susceptible to issues like additional damage or even bacteria and infection. To protect your teeth, our team at Dean Dental Care can provide you with customized dental crowns in Covington! Whether your pearly whites are decayed, chipped, or otherwise damaged, these restorations can be used to offer strength, durability, and longevity so that you can enjoy a healthy smile for many years to come. Read on to learn more about dental crowns or reach out to our office if you wish to schedule a consultation.
Why Choose Dean Dental Care for Dental Crowns?
- Personalized & Durable Dental Materials
- Utilizes CEREC Dental Technology
- Accepts Insurance & Flexible Financing
What is a Dental Crown?
Also known as a “cap,” a dental crown is a type of dental restoration that is made to be placed atop a natural tooth that has been damaged or compromised. Since the tooth is weakened and susceptible to bacteria and further damage, the crown can essentially protect the top surface while providing the strength it needs to withstand everyday chewing. These restorations can be constructed out of various materials, but our team prefers all-porcelain crowns for their durability and ability to mimic natural tooth enamel. In most cases, dental crowns are reserved for patients who are experiencing the following situations:
- A broken tooth
- A severely discolored or misshapen tooth
- Underwent root canal treatment
- Moderate to severe decay fixed with a large filling
- A dental bridge that requires support from adjacent teeth
- A missing tooth being replaced with a dental implant
The Dental Crown Process
Dental crowns are typically completed in just two appointments, but the treatment process is relatively straightforward. Firstly, we’ll need to evaluate your mouth and oral health to ensure that you’re free of any potential complications, like decay and gum disease, so that we can resolve those issues before moving forward with your restorative procedure. Once you’re ready, we’ll prep your tooth by removing a tiny amount of enamel to make room for your dental cap. We’ll take impressions of your tooth and send them to a lab for the construction of your crown.
While you wait, you’ll wear a temporary crown to both protect your exposed tooth and serve as a trial run for your permanent one. During this time, we can request any minor adjustments as needed before your final restoration comes to us for a final fitting. You’ll then return to our office to receive your finished dental crown.
Alternatively, our office utilizes CEREC technology that can construct a personalized dental crown in just a single visit. Instead of waiting a couple of weeks, you can have your tooth prepped and receive your permanent crown without the need for a temporary one. We will be happy to discuss which option suits you best during your consultation.
The Benefits of Getting a Dental Crown
With dental crowns, you can be sure to expect a wide variety of advantages, including:
- Improved biting power
- Natural-looking results
- Protection from future damage and decay
- Custom and comfortable fit
- Boosts confidence
- Can last over a decade with proper care
Understanding the Cost of Dental Crowns
The cost of dental crowns depends on a few factors. During your restorative dentistry consultation with your dentist in Covington, our team can provide a price estimate that is tailored to your unique situation. We will also be happy to help you understand payment options, such as insurance and financing.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Dental Crowns
Some factors that may have a bearing on the cost of your crown include:
- The damage to the underlying tooth. Some teeth require root canal therapy or other extensive preparatory procedures before they are able to support a crown. Each of these treatments comes with its own cost.
- Crowns can be made of quite a few different materials, which have different price points. In our office, we usually tend to favor lifelike options that blend seamlessly with the surrounding teeth.
- The crown creation process. Our office features CEREC technology, which allows us to create a crown in just one appointment. Alternatively, we may sometimes partner with a nearby lab for crown creation. The process used to make your crown may affect its cost.
Keep in mind that extreme caution is in order if you ever come across a deal for a bargain or discount crown. Remember, quality is important for what goes in your mouth, and you want a restoration that will fit well with your bite and stand the test of time.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Crowns?
Very often, yes, dental insurance does cover crowns. Usually, crowns are categorized as a major procedure, so around 50% of their cost might be covered, up to the amount of your plan’s annual maximum. Our Covington team welcomes all PPO plans, and we will be happy to help you file your claims and understand your out-of-pocket obligation for your crown treatment.
Other Options for Making Dental Crowns Affordable
Insurance is just one provision that can make dental crowns more affordable. Another resource that could help is financing through CareCredit. CareCredit is a third-party company that offers low-interest and no-interest payment plans for dental and medical services. The application process takes just a few minutes, and most patients are readily approved for an installment arrangement that works with their budget.
Are you interested in learning more about dental crowns and their cost? Our team would be happy to answer your questions, so do not hesitate to book a consultation with us today. We are eager to serve you!
Dental Crowns FAQs
Are Dental Crowns Permanent?
Dental crowns are a long-term solution to extensive dental damage or aesthetic defects because they can last five to fifteen years if they receive excellent care. However, they cannot be called truly permanent since they will eventually have to be replaced. The procedure that prepares a tooth for a dental crown is irreversible since it involves the removal of a small amount of enamel that will not grow back, so the treated tooth will have to wear a crown from then on for protection and support. A dental crown can allow a compromised tooth to remain functional for much longer than it would otherwise, and you can keep your device in great shape by practicing excellent oral hygiene, visiting our office in Covington regularly for routine exams and cleanings, and being careful to chew mindfully and protect your smile from injury.
How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?
Dental crowns that receive excellent care can last between five and fifteen years on average, and the most important factor in how long your device can last is your oral hygiene habits. However, the material your crown is made from and where it is located can also affect its lifespan. While metal restorations may last slightly longer than metal-free ones, the difference is often negligible, and devices placed on the back teeth may not last as long as those placed on the front ones since they endure more pressure during the chewing process. You can protect your crowns from unnecessary wear by chewing carefully, refraining from using your teeth to open packages or bottles, abstaining from tobacco and excessive alcohol use, and avoiding chewing on inedible materials like ice, wood, metal, plastic, and fingernails.
How Do You Know When a Dental Crown Needs to Be Replaced?
While only a qualified oral health professional such as Dr. Dean can authoritatively determine if a crown needs replacement, there are a few signs you may notice that can say you are ready for a new restoration. These include:
- Pain: If the tooth wearing a crown hurts, it may be due to underlying tooth decay. The device will have to be removed so the infection can be treated, and it may have to be replaced afterward.
- Instability: If your crown is wiggling about on its tooth or you notice a change in how it fits with your bite, contact our office.
- Degraded appearance: A dental crown should keep your tooth beautiful as well as functional. If your device is chipped, cracked, or showing stains or a dark line around its base, this can be reason enough to replace it.
Do Dental Crowns Get Cavities?
Dental crowns cannot develop cavities since they are not made from natural enamel, but the teeth supporting them can still become infected, which may require the appliance to be replaced. Since crowned teeth are as likely to develop cavities as uncrowned teeth, you’ll need to practice proper oral hygiene every day while taking special care to clean around the seam between your tooth and your restoration. You’ll also need to attend regular dental checkups every six months at our Covington office.