What are dental crowns and why I might need one?
Dental crowns are a porcelain material that slips over an existing tooth to help prevent further fracture or breakage. In reality, there isn't a lot of alternatives to dental crowns. When we say you need a dental crown, it's to help protect that tooth from breakage. Doing patchwork fillings over and over and over again is not going to extend the longevity of your tooth.
Are there different types of dental crowns?
There are several different types of dental crowns. Most are made of a porcelain or zirconia material, and there are also gold crowns. A lot of the time, I like to recommend gold, especially on back teeth. Gold is one of the most biocompatible materials you can use in doing a restoration in your mouth. Those typically wear very well on back teeth and can last a very, very, very long time. Porcelain materials for crowns are very helpful in matching shade of teeth, and they look more aesthetic for the patient.
Can you explain the dental crown procedure?
A dental crown procedure is very simple. Typically, it can be done in two appointments, but now with our milling machine that we have in the office, sometimes it can be done same day. The day you come into the office, we prepare the tooth so that there's enough reduction for us to slip a cap over the tooth. We take a 3D scan of that tooth to make your dental crown. I design that tooth specifically for you and your bite, and then we deliver that crown with permanent cement.
Does a dental crown placement hurt?
Dental crown placement does not hurt at all.
Are there any consequences for getting a tooth crown?
When a crown is recommended to you, it's for a good reason. It's to prevent further breakage or fracture of a tooth. If you do get that dental crown procedure done, that is a permanent procedure. So if the crown comes off or it breaks, it will need to be redone.
Do crowns look like normal teeth?
Dental crowns, in fact, look exactly like normal teeth when we make them with a porcelain material. We match the exact shade and shape of your tooth.
Can you get cavities on crowned teeth?
You can still get cavities underneath crowns. You have to make sure you're coming in for your checkups and your exams and your cleanings regularly for us to check for decay.
How should I take care of my dental crowns?
You should take care of your dental crowns just like you take care of your other teeth. You should brush twice daily and floss every night and make sure you come in regularly for your checkups. A dental crown can last anywhere from 10 to 20 years if properly taken care of.
Are dental crowns covered by insurance?
Most insurances will cover dental crowns. We're happy to work with your insurance and come up with an estimate specifically tailored to you.
How can I schedule an appointment for a dental crown?
You can schedule an appointment for a dental crown with us by calling (586) 800-2250.
Why do dentists put crowns on teeth?
Dentists recommend and put crowns on teeth due to several different factors. Most of the time it's for breakage or fracture.
What are the pros and cons of a dental crown versus a dental bridge?
A dental crown and a dental bridge are two different things. A dental crown is a cover or a cap that gets placed over a singular tooth. A dental bridge is essentially capping two teeth, a tooth ahead of the missing tooth and a tooth behind the missing tooth with a dummy tooth in the middle. They are essentially the same in regards to how the teeth are prepared and how the restoration is cemented, but a bridge replaces a missing tooth. A dental crown does not.
What type of dental crown is best for a molar?
Dental crowns on molars can be made of several different types of materials. We can do porcelain material or we can do gold material. Gold is really nice for back teeth because it has a very high biocompatibility with our body and it wears really well to chewing forces.
What kind of crown is best for front teeth?
A dental crown for front teeth is obviously something that we want to be very aesthetic and look really nice in our smile. So typically we will do porcelain material for these crowns.
Is it possible not to get a dental crown after a root canal?
As far as after a root canal, we usually recommend a dental crown after that procedure because during a root canal, the blood supply is taken out of the tooth, which therefore makes the tooth a little bit more brittle and prone to breakage or fracture. When we put a crown on the tooth, this helps prevent that.
How do different dental crown materials compare? Are crowns as strong as real teeth?
Nothing compares to your natural tooth, but a dental crown will help prevent any additional wear or breakage.
What are the steps of a dental crown procedure?
The steps of a dental crown procedure are usually a two visit procedure. You come in, we prepare the tooth, we shape the tooth, we take a 3D scan of that tooth and we send you home with a temporary crown and then we bring you back to seek the final porcelain one. Or with our new in-house milling machine, sometimes we can do those crowns the same day.
What type of anesthesia will I need for a dental crown?
You will have normal local anesthesia for a dental crown procedure.
Are there any special instructions for brushing and flossing after a dental crown?
After a dental crown, you are to brush and floss as normal.
What is the average life expectancy of a dental crown?
A dental crown can last anywhere from 10 to 20 years if properly taken care of.
How can you tell if you have tooth decay under a crown?
A way to tell if you have tooth decay under a crown is to make sure you're coming in for your regular exams and checkups for us to see if there's decay underneath the crown. Sometimes you can feel sensitivity underneath that crown if there's no root canal done and sometimes that can be an indicator of decay.
How can I schedule an appointment for a dental crown?
You can schedule an appointment for a dental crown by giving us a call at (586) 800-2250. I'm Dr. Finley and I hope I answered your questions about dental crowns.
If you need to protect a damaged tooth or mask an imperfect one, a dental crown is a reliable solution. The dentists at Bailey Dental Group in Richmond, MI, create dental crowns that are both natural-looking and strong, often while you wait. Learn how our award-winning dentists, Cynthia E. Bailey and Tess Marie Finley, use the latest technology to restore your smile.
Protect your tooth
While Restoring Beauty & Function
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that completely covers a tooth, restoring its shape while protecting the natural tooth underneath. In addition to protecting teeth with crowns, Drs. Bailey and Finley also design porcelain crowns for cosmetic purposes. Crowns can hide a less-than-perfect tooth that detracts from a smile.
What are dental crowns used for?
Drs. Bailey and Finley design dental crowns to address a variety of patients' needs, from restorative dentistry to cosmetic dentistry. Crowns are used to:
- Restore a badly decayed or broken-down tooth
- Provide support to a weakened tooth
- Hold a dental bridge in place
- Cosmetic concealment of chips, cracks, or discoloration
- Protect a root canal-treated tooth
- Restore an implant
One requirement for a dental crown is that you have sufficient healthy tooth structure to support the crown. During a consultation, our dentists can examine your mouth to determine if a traditional crown is the right treatment or if another option, such as an implant or partial denture, would be a better solution.
Pros and cons of dental crowns:
Pros
- Balancing Your Bite: Having a misaligned bite can negatively impact your jawbone and overall oral health. A crown helps to properly distribute the pressure when you chew, realigning your bite.
- Protection: With proper care, crowns help to protect the underlying tooth from further damage from deterioration or decay. When combined with an implant, they can completely replace a lost tooth, which also safeguards your oral health.
- Hiding Imperfections: Crowns can hide chipped, cracked, or discolored teeth. They can also hide unattractive silver fillings, giving you a smile you can be proud to show off.
Cons
- Chips or Cracks: With proper care, your crowns can last for over a decade. However, they are not immune to chips and cracks. Some minor damage can be repaired, but severe damage may mean the crown has to be replaced.
- Sensitivity: Some patients find their tooth is more sensitive after a crown. However, using toothpaste designed to prevent sensitivity can alleviate the sensation.
- Cost: The cost of crowns varies based on the treatment. Our Richmond, MI, office offers financing options to help you get the care you need.
Enjoy Same-Day Crowns
Without Sacrificing Quality or Beauty
Unlike many dentistry practices that will fit you with a temporary crown first, Drs. Bailey and Finley in Richmond, MI, are often able to design and place high-quality permanent crowns on the same day.
We use an E4D® imaging system that combines precision laser scanning technology with a milling unit. This allows our dentists to custom-design crowns, bridges, and dentures and then have them precisely milled while you wait.
There's no need to wear a temporary crown while your permanent crown is being fabricated at a remote dental lab. And you won't have to make a second trip to the dentist to have the temporary crown removed and the permanent one placed.
Compassionate, experienced dental care
Ethical Dentistry
We take a conservative approach to dentistry and only make honest recommendations. At the same time, we maintain high standards and won't cut corners.
High-Quality Materials
We restore smiles by crafting crowns and bridges out of high-performing zirconia and IPS e.max®, all-ceramic dental materials renowned for their strength and beauty.
Compassionate
As a trusted Richmond, MI, practice for more than 35 years, we've built our reputation by carefully listening to our patients' needs and offering clear explanations for treatments.
Do you need a Crown?
Call for a Consultation
If you have extensive decay, the structure of the tooth may have been weakened, leaving it susceptible to further damage.
Using advanced dental technology, Drs. Bailey and Finley at Bailey Dental Group in Richmond can examine your tooth to assess the damage and determine the appropriate treatment. While fillings are fine for many cavities, if your tooth is severely compromised, we may recommend a dental crown to strengthen the tooth and avoid tooth extraction.
The important thing is not to wait too long before getting treatment since even just the act of chewing on hard food could further damage a compromised tooth. You can contact us online to get started or call us on (586) 800-2250.
How Much Does a Crown Cost?
On average, dental crowns typically cost $1,265 per tooth at Bailey Dental Group, but several factors can affect the price.
For example, if you are getting your crown after receiving treatment for an infected root canal, then there will be additional costs. Meanwhile, the cost of dental materials vary, also affecting the price. Zirconia and e.max crowns typically cost more than porcelain.
We recommend requesting a consultation so you can get a solid quote that is based on what treatment you need.
t's also important to remember that dental crowns are designed to avoid further damage to the tooth, which could result in more expensive treatments. These include dental implants, the loss of the tooth or surrounding teeth, or the need for dentures.
Our Dentists Use Zirconia and IPS e.max
To Create Custom Crowns
Our dentists prefer the aesthetic appearance of today's newer all-ceramic crowns over materials like porcelain and porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns.
All-ceramic materials such as Zirconia or IPS e.max create a more natural-looking tooth replacement. Both are stronger than porcelain. So unlike porcelain, they do not need to be layered with metal for added strength.
Unfortunately, the metal layer used with porcelain crowns often leaves a telltale grey line peeking out near the gums, which many patients understandably dislike.
How long do dental crowns last?
The average life span of a permanent crown is between five and 15 years. The zirconia material we use is stronger than its porcelain counterparts, but crowns of all materials are susceptible to wear and tear, so it is important to avoid grinding or clenching your teeth, biting your fingernails, chewing ice, or using your teeth to open packaging. By practicing good dental hygiene and avoiding these bad habits, your crown should last you more than a decade.
We make dental crowns affordable
Some things, like protecting a damaged tooth, can't wait. But we understand that unexpected expenses can be a problem. To help patients get the care they need when they need it, we work to help treatment fit into your budget:
Low-Interest Lenders
We accept financing through CareCredit® and LendingUSA™, which finance dental treatment with low-interest terms. This includes patients with no insurance as well as out-of-pocket costs for patients with insurance.
Cash Discount
If you would like to pay for your dental treatment upfront, Bailey Dental Group provides patients a five percent discount when they pay in full at the start of treatments that cost more than $1,000.
Reach out to our Richmond Office
To Schedule Your Dental Crown Consultation
With a combined 40 years of experience, mother-daughter duo Drs. Bailey and Finley bring care, skill, and knowledge to their dentistry.
If you have a tooth that has been badly damaged, is causing you pain after a root canal, or is creating an imperfect smile, reach out to our Richmond, MI, office to see if you're a good candidate for a dental crown.
Let us restore your oral health and give you a smile you can wear confidently. Request a consultation or call us on (586) 800-2250.
Dental Crowns Treatment Timeline
We Offer Same-Day & Traditional Crowns
Bailey Dental Group in Richmond, Michigan, invests in the latest technology. We can design a crown using our advanced E4D imaging and milling system to complete treatment in one visit or give you a temporary crown, so you never leave without a complete smile.
1. Consultation
Dr. Bailey or Dr. Finley will examine your mouth using advanced Spectra caries detection and scanning technology to assess your tooth. Once the problem has been identified, like an infected root canal, our dentist will go over a recommended treatment plan.
2. Preparation
If we determine you need a dental crown, the tooth will be prepared to remove any signs of decay and infection. The tooth will then be smoothed and shaped so that the crown fits over it without any added bulk that would look or feel unnatural.
3. Impressions
Using our advanced E4D imaging system, we will create a precise impression of the treatment area, a critical step in creating a crown that fits comfortably. Our dentist will use the information to design a crown that will be both strong and lifelike.
4. Fabrication
For same-day crowns, our dentist can immediately transfer the crown design to the integrated milling system so the restoration can be created while you wait. If your crown is being sent to our trusted lab, it will take about two weeks to be fabricated. We will fit you with a temporary crown to wear until you return for the permanent crown.
5. Placement
First, we'll remove your temporary crown. Then, we'll place your permanent crown and check that your bite is not compromised in any way. Once you and the dentist are completely satisfied with the fit and aesthetics, the crown will be bonded to the tooth.
Questions?
Aftercare
The best way to care for your permanent crown is to maintain great oral hygiene. Continue to brush twice daily and floss once a day. Since the tooth beneath your crown still needs to be protected from decay, treat your crown as you treat your other teeth. By maintaining good dental practices, you can extend the life of your new crown and keep your surrounding teeth healthy.