Perfectly Seamless Tooth Restoration
A dental crown, essentially a “cap”, is designed to cover a tooth that might be cracked, undergone a root canal, discolored, decayed, or misshapen. These crowns, tailored and precisely fitted, are made to match the color and shape of your natural teeth and can endure over 15 years. Additionally, crowns are often utilized to secure a dental bridge, complete a dental implant, or for various cosmetic enhancements and aesthetic reasons.
What’s The Process Of Getting A Crown?
A dental crown procedure usually requires two office visits and is performed by a dentist.
Here is how we go about it:
Examining and preparing the tooth
As with any dental procedure, it starts with a dental examination. During this examination, the dentist will check and clean your teeth to ensure they are prepared for a seamless fitting. If the tooth is cracked or significantly damaged by decay, we will eliminate the affected areas to enable the dental crown to protect the tooth from additional decay.
Shaping the Crown
Afterwards, we will use dental putty to make an impression of your teeth, which will be used to create full porcelain crowns. In the meantime, you will be fitted with a temporary crown to wear until your next appointment. If you’re looking to replace a missing tooth with a dental implant, we’ll take a mold of both the implant area and the adjacent teeth. This impression will then be sent to our lab, where your personalized crown will be crafted.
Placing the Crown
During your second appointment, we will exchange your temporary crown for a permanent one. The crown will be securely attached using either strong dental cement or a discreet screw. To complete the procedure, we will polish the crown and make any necessary adjustments to ensure your comfort and security.
Cost Of Dental Crowns In San Diego
The out-of-pocket cost for a dental crown can vary widely from patient to patient. With a typical insurance plan a single crown averages out to about $200 to $600+. Without insurance, a reasonable ball-park figure for a crown would be about $800 to $1200 and up. To get your mouth looking and feeling normal again, most people feel that a dental crown is an easy decision but the cost may still give you pause.
So what goes into determining the cost of a dental crown?
- The type of crown and the material that is used.
- The location and complexity of the procedure.
- The number of crowns that may be required.
- Combining the crown with other dental appliances like bridges.
- Supplies and equipment that are required for your specific treatment.
Remember, no dental practice can provide an accurate quote over the phone. Ultimately, your needs are as unique as your smile. It’s important to speak with a dentist and undergo an oral exam to find out all your treatment options and to receive an accurate quote. If you have dental insurance, we would be happy to supply you with a quote to submit to them so you can find out your out-of-pocket costs before you make a decision.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
The need for a crown after a root canal is largely determined by the tooth’s location in the mouth. Molars and premolars, situated towards the back and crucial for chewing, often require crowns. On the other hand, incisors or canines, less involved in chewing, may not always need crowns.
One notable difference between a crown and a filling is their durability, particularly in teeth with extensive biting surfaces. Fillings on molars’ biting surfaces are prone to chipping or dislodging due to the constant pressure from chewing or habitual clenching. In contrast, a crown’s continuous and unbroken surface, extending from gum-line to gum-line, is designed to endure much greater force over a longer period.
Dental crowns play two essential roles in your mouth. Firstly, they completely restore your tooth’s function, enabling you to close your teeth and chew without pain or discomfort, eliminating the need to favor one side. Secondly, and equally importantly, crowns are carefully designed to blend in with your natural teeth. This involves matching their color and contour to your aesthetic. In fact, individuals may sometimes forget which tooth has the crown, as it seamlessly blends in.
A post isn’t quite a dental implant (which is surgically implanted in the jaw bone) but it is exactly what it sounds like: a medical-grade post that may be cemented into a prepared root-canal to reinforce the base and core of a dental crown. Dental posts are only used if there isn’t enough healthy tooth left over to reliably hold a crown.
The experience of getting a crown can be similar to getting a filling, depending on the condition of your tooth. We take care to thoroughly numb the area and use anesthesia as needed to ensure the preparation of your tooth is not painful. You may experience some sensitivity or soreness in the gums around the tooth for a brief period after the procedure. If you feel anxious about visiting the dentist, please inform us! We are here to alleviate your concerns and ensure your experience is as comfortable as possible.
In most cases, dental crowns can last up to 15 years. However, if they are properly maintained, they can last for 25-30 years.
Caring for a dental crown mirrors the maintenance of a natural tooth. Consistent brushing and flossing help ensure the health and cleanliness of your dental crown as well as the gum tissue that supports it. Additionally, regular dental cleanings and checkups with your dentist are vital components of maintaining your overall oral health.