- Dental crowns have long been trusted as a reliable dental restoration, prized for their durability, long lifespan, and effective protection of the underlying tooth. When maintained well along with proper oral hygiene, properly prepared teeth and well-crafted crowns can last anywhere from 10 to 40 years or more. By protecting broken, decayed, or damaged teeth, crowns can help avert more involved and expensive issues like root canals, dental implants, bone deterioration, and gum disease in the future. You might wonder: How much do crowns cost?
The pricing of a dental crown hinges primarily on the chosen material(s), the level of training of the doctor, the geographical area, the lab used to fabricate it and the complexity of any required procedures needed to prepare the tooth for the crown.
FIRST, WHAT IS A CROWN?
A dental crown is a cap-shaped covering that encases and entirely replaces the visible portion of a tooth (the crown of a tooth). It is permanently bonded to the existing natural tooth structure to provide protection against future damage or decay.
Dental crowns serve various purposes, both restorative and cosmetic, such as:
⦁ Concealing severely discolored or misshapen teeth
⦁ Covering and protecting teeth that have undergone root canal treatment
⦁ Repairing extensively broken or worn-down teeth
⦁ Securing dental bridges
⦁ Reinforcing and protecting teeth with large fillings or limited natural tooth structure
⦁ Safeguarding weakened teeth from decay
⦁ Serving as an artificial tooth supported by a dental implant to replace missing teeth
THERE ARE SEVERAL TYPES OF CROWNS:
- Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) Crowns
- All-Ceramic or All-Porcelain Crowns
- Metal or Gold Crowns
- Zirconia Crowns
- CAD-CAM Crowns
- E-Max Crowns
- Temporary Crowns
PREPARATION:
Dental crowns are only suitable for application on teeth and gums that are in good health. Prior to receiving a dental crown, preparatory procedures might be necessary, including:
- CORE BUILD UP – to reinforce a tooth’s integrity so it can support a crown
- DENTAL IMPLANTS – to act as artificial tooth roots to replace missing teeth
- ROOT CANAL – to eliminate any infection within a tooth or tooth root
- GINGEVECTOMY – or minor gum surgery for improved tooth aesthetics and outcomes
WHEN IS A CROWN RECOMMENDED INSTEAD OF A FILLING?
Tooth decay and damage are both progressive and irreversible. As they worsen, the more the healthy tooth enamel and structure deteriorates. While fillings are suitable for small to medium-sized issues, larger fillings exceeding the remaining natural tooth structure are neither durable nor able to withstand long-term biting and chewing stress.
Crowns are frequently utilized for the restoration and protection of teeth with extensive fillings. Dental crowns enhance a tooth’s strength and mitigates the risk of potential fractures. They are also common for teeth after root canal treatment to restore their original strength following the removal of infected biological material. Once a root canal has been done on a tooth, over time, the tooth becomes brittle. This renders it more likely to crack or break. By placing a crown over the tooth, it can prolong the lifespan of the tooth by protecting it and giving it strength.
While crowns may entail higher initial costs compared to fillings, they prove cost-effective in the long run by preserving natural tooth strength and overall oral health, and when done properly, can last for decades.
DENTAL CROWNS AND INSURANCE:
The majority of dental benefit plans cover 50% of dental crown costs, resulting in reduced out-of-pocket expenses for many patients. You must remember, though, that dental insurance is VERY different from medical insurance. Dental benefit plans have an annual maximum limit of between $1,000-$1,500 they will pay (per year) for covered dental treatment each year. That’s it. Once they’ve paid the annual maximum, that’s it. It may surprise you to know that many plans have a one year waiting period before crowns are even covered. (Don’t base your treatment decisions based on your dental benefits.)
Remember, the insurance companies are in the business of MAKING money, not PAYING it out in claims. (Read more about THE MYTH OF DENTAL INSURANCE here.) It’s also worth noting that dental benefits don’t cover cosmetic crowns aimed at altering tooth appearance. Such procedures are considered elective and unfortunately, are not covered. In these cases, patients are responsible for the full cost of cosmetic crowns.
NOT ALL CROWNS ARE THE SAME:
We’ve all seen people with ugly, poorly made crowns. They may be different shapes/sizes than they should be, they might be thick and bulky, or the wrong color and don’t match the teeth next to them or are solid color and look like a marble, and others have dark lines around the gums, making them look horrible. Single crowns are usually the easiest to spot. They shouldn’t be. When done by someone with a high level of skill and a demand for perfection from their lab, they aren’t. All it takes is someone willing to take the extra time to get it just right.
Likely, the patient was informed by the dentist who crafted those crowns that it was the best that could be done. NOT true. Many dentists are simply unable to deliver superior esthetic results in a single crown, or in crowning a few teeth, and they tell patients that the only way to get a beautiful smile is to crown ALL of their teeth. (Or at least all the teeth you see within their smile line). Unfortunately, this is common. Regrettably, it is done not out of necessity but rather due to its ease and/or profitability for THE DENTIST.
THE IMPORTANCE OF SEEING A SPECIALIST:
Finding a dentist who can deliver extremely high quality esthetically made crowns is not as easy as you might think. Unless someone has had crowns placed on ALL of the teeth within their smile line, if you look closely at many people’s smiles, you can usually pick out the one or two teeth that are not real; the teeth that have crowns on them. You shouldn’t be able to!
Being Prosthodontists, and specializing in crowns, we can deliver the very highest level of esthetics and properly functioning crowns. The bottom line is: If you need a crown, your best bet is to have it made by a Prosthodontist.
QUALITY CROWNS AT THE DENTAL IMPLANT CENTER:
At The Dental Implant Center, we prioritize taking the extra time and effort in delivering crowns made from only the highest quality materials and employing a reputable lab for our crown fabrication. Our lab produces top-tier prosthetics, renowned nationwide for their quality. The level of commitment we make to only accepting exceptional porcelain work, sets us apart. Our unwavering dedication to quality ensures each crown and bridge maintains our esteemed reputation. Quality is paramount, with no exceptions.
We provide comprehensive dental services catering to your family’s needs, including preventive care, restorative treatments like fillings and crowns, bridges, and intricate rehabilitations involving dental implants and implant-supported solutions. With only Prosthodontist specialists, we focus on meticulous attention to detail, aiming for beautiful, natural-looking and long-lasting outcomes. We don’t take the cookie-cutter approach to treatments. We consider many aspect of a patients condition, lifestyle, needs and limitations before recommending one treatment over another. This highly personalized approach helps us plan treatments that lasts for decades, if not a lifetime. We prioritize easy access to high quality dental care through flexible scheduling and convenient financing options.
If you need just one crown, or several crowns, come see the difference between mediocre dental outcomes and excellent outcomes at the Dental Implant Center. Contact us today to schedule your complimentary consultation. You can reach us Monday-Thursday between 7am and 3pm at 214-956-9100.
