Dental Crowns

Many people are familiar with the term “crown” as it applies to dental work. Some people call it a “cap”. Both words refer to the same thing. A lot of people know the word but do not really understand what a crown is. This page will explain what a crown is, why it is necessary, and how it is made.

• What is a Crown?
• Dental Crown Benefits
• Why Do I Need a Dental Crown?
• Dental Crowns vs. Veneers
• The Dental Crown Process
• Types of Dental Crowns
• Dental Crown Care
• Dental Crown Longevity
• Dental Crown Cost
• Dental Crown Insurance Coverage
• Dental Crown FAQs

What is a Crown?

Our dentists can use the word crown in two different ways. Sometimes we forget that our patients may not know this and understand the difference. Here is a simple explanation:

1. Anatomical Crown

   This term describes the visible or exposed portion of the tooth. Each tooth has a crown and one or more roots. The crown is the portion of the tooth that you see and use. The root is the anchor or foundation of the crown.

2. Crown (dental restoration)

   This type of crown is a dental treatment used to restore a tooth back to full shape and function. A crown covers the entire anatomical crown of a tooth, usually extending to, or just under, the gums.

What Are the Benefits of Dental Crowns?

Dental crowns are popular restorations that can offer a variety of benefits. They can improve the aesthetic appearance and functionality of your smile by addressing problems left by compromised teeth. Potential benefits include:

• Restoration of damaged or decayed teeth
• Protection and support from possible future cracks, chips, or stains
• Natural-looking and long-lasting results
• Improved bite alignment in some cases

Additionally, dental crowns are often incorporated into other restorative treatments, such as dental implants or a root canal.

Why is a Dental Crown Necessary?

The first step in determining the necessity of a crown is the proper diagnosis of the tooth. Dr. Ann and Dr. Lauren are top notch in diagnosing dental problems. They both have extensive education beyond dental school, and they use the latest dental technology available.

Because a crown’s purpose is to rebuild or restore a tooth back to full shape or function, a crown is necessary when a crown has lost some of its shape or function. Here are some examples of dental problems that typically require a crown to fix:

• Very large cavities that are too big for a filling
• A broken tooth
• A tooth crack extending past the enamel into the tooth
• Old dental work that covers more than half of the tooth and is failing
• A tooth that has had a root canal
• A tooth that will support a removable partial denture and needs major changes in shape in order to do so
• A severely worn down tooth (or teeth)

Multiple crowns are necessary when your dentist needs to rebuild your entire bite. This often happens in patients who have had decades of wear and damage on their teeth.

Multiple crowns are also necessary when you want big cosmetic changes. Some teeth are not strong enough to support porcelain veneers. Crowns are able to make many of the same cosmetic changes as veneers are!

Dental Crowns vs. Veneers

Dental crowns and veneers serve different purposes in dentistry. In general, crowns have a greater emphasis on function, whereas veneers place a greater emphasis on appearance. A crown covers the entire exposed portion of a tooth (everything except the root), and a veneer only covers the visible surface of a tooth.

Crowns are necessary to restore teeth broken down by large cavities, fractures, or old, failing dental work. They return a tooth to full shape, size and function. A crown can function as a cosmetic improvement for a tooth or teeth, but that is not the primary purpose.

Veneers are an optional cosmetic treatment to improve or completely remake someone’s smile. Most patients undergo veneer treatment on multiple teeth across the entire smile to create a uniform, natural appearance. A veneer is a more conservative option than a crown in that it requires less removal of natural tooth structure. Veneers also require more healthy supporting tooth structure than crowns do.

What Does the Crown Process Involve?

On the Patient’s End

A patient in need of a dental crown will have two appointments with the dentist. The first visit is longer and involves preparation of the tooth for the crown. At this visit, the dentist removes any cavities, old dental work or cracks in the tooth and builds up a solid core to support the crown. Enamel is removed to make room for the thickness of the new crown, which replaces the enamel.

The dentist takes either a mold or a 3D digital scan of the prepared tooth to send to the lab. Then we make a temporary crown to cover the tooth while the lab technician makes your final crown.

Your second visit is shorter and less invasive. We remove the temporary crown and fit the final crown to your tooth. Typically, we will double-check the fit with an x-ray to make sure the crown fits perfectly and seals out any contamination. Once you and your dentist both love the look and fit of the crown, she will cement it to your tooth using a permanent dental cement.

On the Dentist and Dental Lab Technicians’ End

While you are wearing the temporary crown for about three weeks, the dental lab technician is using an exact replica of your prepared tooth to make your final crown. This all takes place according to your dentist’s detailed specifications, your personal preferences, and the lab technician’s expert knowledge about dental crowns.

An important thing to know about Designer Smiles: we send our crowns to a dental lab technician with the highest level of training and education, who is right here in the USA. Unlike many other dental offices who send dental lab work overseas to get a lower price, we are committed to keeping our business here in the states. Not only do we wish to keep our business domestic; we also believe that our patients deserve the very best when it comes to dental restorations.

What Kind of Crown Will I Get?

A good one!

There are several different types of dental materials used to make crowns today. Each material has different pros and cons, and there is not one single material that is great for every tooth. Dr. Ann and Dr. Lauren will discuss your options for a particular tooth and help you select which option is best for you. A short summary of the available types of crowns is as follows:

Gold

Gold was the first material used to make dental crowns, and we still use it today. It has the advantage of being strong, even in very thin increments, so it does not require as much removal of enamel. Gold has an obvious cosmetic disadvantage, and this is why we do less gold crowns than the other types.

Porcelain-fused-to-metal

A very commonly used crown, this type uses a metal core to support an overlay of porcelain. These are very strong and useful for molars that will sustain a lot of chewing force. The metal core creates a cosmetic disadvantage, and some people notice a dark grey line at the gums with these types of crowns.

Zirconia

Zirconia is an interesting material because it is technically a metal, but it looks like porcelain! Zirconia is very strong and very hard. It is cosmetically superior to both PFM and gold crowns. One disadvantage to zirconia is that its hardness can cause damage to the tooth it bites against.

All-porcelain

This crown is completely ceramic (glass-like) and gives the best cosmetic appearance of any crown material. The all-porcelain material is available in various levels of translucency (see-through) to most closely mimic a real tooth. The disadvantage to all-porcelain crowns is that they are not quite as strong and are susceptible to breaking.

How Do I Take Care of My Dental Crowns?

In order to get the most out of your dental crowns, we recommend applying a thorough cleaning regimen to your daily routine. By maintaining proper care of dental crowns, natural wear and tear can be prevented for many years. Traditional cleaning methods you use on your natural teeth is key for extending the life of dental crowns. Furthermore, maintaining a consistent schedule with your dentist for regular cleanings and checkups can ensure that a trained professional is able to keep an eye on your dental crowns over time. If you grind your teeth while you sleep, a night guard may be needed to avoid adding unnecessary pressure to your dental crowns that could lead to inadvertent damage.

How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?

Dental crowns are designed for durability and longevity as they are meant to be able to withstand natural wear and tear. Generally, if patients maintain their dental crowns with the methods detailed above, they can expect to enjoy their results for about five to 10 years, with some patients’ results lasting around 15 years. By maintaining regular dental checkups and a healthy cleaning routine, you can extend the lifetime of your dental crowns.

How Much Do Dental Crowns Cost?

The cost of dental crowns will vary from patient to patient as a wide variety of factors play a part in the price that patients pay in the end. As noted on this page, there are many reasons people may need a dental crown and different types of dental crowns that can be utilized. The work needed to insert the crown, the type of crown, and the number of crowns required will all play a factor in the total cost of the procedure. Our practice offers affordable financing options through Lending Club and CareCredit^®, to help patients manage the overall cost. We also accept cash, check, and credit cards such as Visa^®, MasterCard^®, and Discover^®.

Are Dental Crowns Covered by Insurance?

Whether insurance companies will help cover the cost of the dental crown procedure is solely based on the individual patient’s insurance policy. While some insurance companies aid in the price of dental crowns, it is most common that they will only offer coverage if the procedure is determined to be a restorative or medical procedure. If the procedure is determined to be a cosmetic one, insurance companies are unlikely to assist in the overall price. Our team can help you better determine your estimated financial responsibility at your initial consultation.

Additional Dental Crown FAQs

Are dental crowns painful?

Many patients have likened the dental crown experience to that of a routine cavity filling. Sedation dentistry techniques like IV sedation and oral conscious sedation may be utilized to enhance patient comfort. Some patients might experience discomfort following the procedure, including sensitivity and tenderness, but these effects can usually be mitigated with prescribed or over-the-counter medication.

Do I need a crown or a bridge?

While dental crowns and bridges are both restorative treatments, there are key differences between the two. For instance, candidates for crowns typically struggle with teeth that are severely damaged and need support. Custom-made to cover the entire visible portion of the tooth, crowns are routinely used during the dental implant process, while dental bridges are not. This technique can protect the tooth from additional wear and tear while also improving the tooth’s appearance.

Meanwhile, a dental bridge may be a better treatment option than dental crowns for patients missing one or more teeth. Bridges utilize the adjacent teeth to fill the gap and support the replacement teeth or tooth. Dental crowns may be used on those adjacent teeth to anchor and secure the bridge.

Will my dental crown look natural?

Dental crowns are designed to appear natural and like an original part of your smile. When performed by a skilled dentist, such as the team at Designer Smiles, patients typically find their dental crown results to be more than satisfactory.

Can dental crowns be whitened?

Short answer: no.
Since dental crowns are often made from natural-looking materials that are not susceptible to stains, there is a low chance they will even need to be whitened. Teeth whitening only works on natural teeth and the chemical agents in teeth whitening treatments may actually end up harming your dental crowns. It is important to maintain a strong oral hygiene routine of flossing and brushing at least twice a day, as well as twice-a-year regular dental exams, to maximize whiteness.
What type of crown is best for me?
Each patient has their own individual goals and needs when it comes to restoring their smile. Dr. Ann and Dr. Lauren are happy to discuss crown options during your initial consultation and answer any questions you may have. Factors to consider when weighing your options include:

• Cosmetic advantages
• Strength of material
• Cost
• Amount of natural tooth that needs to be removed
• Location of the teeth being restored
• Any oral health concerns

Do You Need a Crown?

Call our office today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Ann and Dr. Lauren. They can answer all of your questions, correctly diagnose your dental problem, and help you choose which type of crown will meet your cosmetic and functional needs.