What are Dental Crowns?
A dental crown or a dental cap is used to protect, strengthen and cover a damaged tooth. The cap of the affected tooth allows for the tooth to be stronger due to a new and strong covering. The cap protects the tooth from further cracks, infections or cavities. And by the nature of creating a new covering for the tooth, a crown can be used to improve the aesthetics of the tooth. The dental crown can create a new look for you with a whiter, straighter or overall more symmetrical tooth than the original it replaced.
Additionally, a dental crown can be used in the dental implant process to create a new tooth shaped structure to function as the tooth it replaced to help maintain healthy jaw bone strength. Dentists use porcelain or ceramic to make crowns that match the color of your natural teeth. Dentists can use other materials including gold, metal alloys, acrylic if they want to offer you a stronger material for one of your back teeth where aesthetics are less important and obvious. Dentists can even offer porcelain bonded to a metal shell as this combines the strength of the metal and the aesthetic cohesion of porcelain to your other teeth.
Your dentist may recommend a crown as part of your treatment plan to address:
- Cover a dental implant
- Cover a discolored or poorly shaped tooth
- Cover a tooth that has had root canal treatment
- Replace a large filling when there isn't enough tooth remaining
- Protect a weak tooth from fracturing
- Restore a fractured tooth
- Attach a bridge
In general, dental crowns treat damaged, decayed or less than perfect teeth. Dental crowns are not strictly functional like fillings but they are not strictly focused on aesthetics like veneers. The dentist uses dental crowns to replace the surface of the tooth above the gum line, unlike other dental procedures that address cracked teeth below the gum line. The dental crown is used to replace the surface of the tooth when your tooth is damaged to help stop further damage and to protect the remaining tooth.
Dental crowns improve your overall oral hygiene as they help keep the tooth strong from infection or cracks. Typically, a dental crown addresses a significant surface fracture, a crack or decay, or a weak spot. With these issues addressed, and the dental crowns improving the shape, color and overall look of the tooth, you are certain to leave this appointment with a smile.
Associated Costs
The total bill at the end of the procedure will vary from patient to patient; your personal price will be determined by how long dentist works on your procedure, the materials the dentist uses, number of appointments, and the amount of work the dentist invests in your smile. Your dental insurance plan will help cover the costs of many procedures and many of the steps in the procedures. If you have questions about your payment options for your treatment plan, please talk to our staff at any time to clarify any concerns. We want your wallet to feel as healthy as your smile.
More on Dental Crowns : How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?