Dental Crowns – Dallas, TX
Preserve and Protect Damaged Teeth
Do you have a broken tooth that’s causing problems? Cracks, chips, cavities, and other injuries to the structure of your teeth allow bacteria to penetrate the tender pulp inside. This can lead to an infection that can impact your gums and jawbone if left unaddressed.
Fortunately, our team at Bear Creek Family Dentistry can provide resilient dental crowns to preserve and protect damaged teeth. These restorations are customized at every stage of creation to fit like a glove and look just like your natural teeth for seamless results. Continue reading to learn more about them, and feel free to contact us for additional information.
What is a Dental Crown?
Dental crowns are prosthetics usually made from durable porcelain or composite resin that are made to fit over teeth that have been harmed. They’re designed just for you and match the shade, shape, and size of your natural teeth so no one can tell them apart.
This treatment can be used to address several different issues, including:
- Shielding severely decayed or broken teeth.
- Preserving a tooth that just underwent a root canal procedure.
- Anchoring a dental bridge in place.
- Capping a dental implant to replace a missing tooth.
- Covering a misshapen or discolored tooth to enhance your appearance.
The Dental Crown Process
Although it might vary depending on your situation, you can typically expect to get your dental crown in two separate appointments. At your initial visit, our team will examine your mouth to determine the extent of the damage. Sometimes, additional treatments are needed, like filling cavities, performing a root canal, or addressing gum disease.
Once we’ve determined that you’re a good candidate, we’ll prepare your tooth by clearing away decayed materials. Then, we’ll remove enough enamel for your restoration to fit over it without being overly bulky. Next, we take images and X-rays and make impressions of your teeth. Finally, we’ll work with you to select the appropriate color for your new tooth. We’ll send all this information to a special dental laboratory to begin creating it. It can take a couple of weeks to arrive, so in the meantime, we’ll fit you with a temporary crown to safeguard your vulnerable tooth.
The Benefits of Getting a Dental Crown
There are many advantages to being fitted with a dental crown in Dallas, such as:
- Prevent potential problems. If your injured tooth goes untreated, it could suffer additional disease, decay, or damage.
- Preserve your natural tooth. This treatment allows you to keep your natural tooth in conditions that might otherwise require extraction and replacement, which comes with additional risks.
- Versatile solution. These prosthetics can perform both functional and aesthetic functions to boost your abilities and confidence.
- Long lifespan. They can last 15+ years if cared for properly.
- Simple maintenance. Keeping them in good shape is as easy as brushing and flossing twice daily along with regular checkups every 6 months.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Crowns
The cost of dental crowns depends on numerous factors. During your restorative dentistry consultation, our team will examine your mouth and provide a cost estimate based on your unique situation. We will also be happy to help you understand your payment options, including dental insurance and low-interest financing.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Dental Crowns
The cost of your crown may be affected by several factors:
- Preliminary care. Some teeth need to undergo extensive preliminary care before receiving a crown. For example, you might need root canal therapy. Or, if you are replacing a missing tooth, you may need to get a dental implant placed in your jawbone. Such procedures come with their own fees, which can vary depending on circumstances.
- Dental crowns can be made of various materials, including different types of metals. The type of material used and its source can influence pricing. In our practice, we favor composite resin and porcelain. These are lifelike options that strongly resemble natural teeth.
- Crown creation. We partner with trustworthy local labs to provide crowns. Lab fees must be taken into account when we are deciding how much to charge for our services.
Remember that “cheap” crowns are not necessarily better. You want a high-quality product that will work well with your bite and stand the test of time.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Crowns?
Very often, yes, dental insurance does cover crowns. They are usually classified as a major procedure, so around 50% of their cost might be covered, up to the amount of your plan’s annual maximum. Our team welcomes insurance, and we are in-network with most major PPO plans. We will be happy to help you figure out how your benefits apply and file claims on your behalf. We can also assist you with acquiring preauthorization if necessary.
Other Options for Making Dental Crowns Affordable
Beyond dental insurance, there is another provision that might make it easier to afford your new dental crown: financing. We work with both CareCredit and Sunbit to provide affordable payment plans for qualified patients. The application process is fast and easy, and we will be happy to walk you through it. Most patients are readily approved! You may even be able to choose a payment amount that works with your monthly budget.
Are you ready to learn more about dental crowns and their cost? Get in touch with Bear Creek Dentistry in Dallas today!
Dental Crowns FAQs
Do Dental Crowns Feel Natural?
After several days of receiving your brand-new dental crowns, your restoration should start to feel increasingly more natural. Your dental cap will be constructed out of durable materials like composite resin and porcelain, which can withstand the everyday pressures of chewing, similar to your natural pearly whites. This means it shouldn’t feel strange to eat with your dental crowns, especially since your restorations will be created to match the rest of your smile. With a comfortable and personalized fit, you will hardly tell the difference!
How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?
In most cases, dental crowns can last as long as 5 to 15 years, and this mainly depends on how well they are taken care of. The lifespan of the restoration can also depend on the kind of material it’s made from. For instance, metal crowns often go for longer than metal-free ones. Of course, you’ll want to consider other factors like diet, oral hygiene, and bad habits that can wear down the restoration, such as nail-biting, teeth grinding, and smoking. Additionally, a dental crown placed on a front tooth can often have a longer lifespan than those placed on the back molars since they won’t be worn down as much from chewing.
Are Dental Crowns Covered by Insurance?
The majority of dental insurance companies offer partial coverage for restorative treatments, including dental crowns. Since they’re often considered “medically necessary,” you can typically expect around 50% of the total cost of the service to be covered by your insurer, so long as you paid the deductible and before you’ve passed your annual maximum. Don’t forget that every insurance policy will be different from patient to patient, so it’s a good idea to verify the specifics of your plan with your provider so that you know the details and there are no surprises. You can also speak with our front desk team, who will be more than happy to walk you through the specifics while also filing claims on your behalf for a smoother experience.
How Do You Know When a Dental Crown Needs to Be Replaced?
You’ll need to confirm with your dentist to know for sure if your restoration needs to be replaced with a new one. Of course, there are some indications that a dental cap is nearing the end of its lifespan. The things to look out for include:
- Discomfort: A painful dental crown can sometimes mean there’s decay or infection underneath it, meaning you’ll need to get it removed and have the tooth treated as soon as possible.
- Worn Surface: If your restoration is worn down, chipped, or even discolored, it can impact the way you feel about your appearance. Replacing it could help you regain your confidence in your smile again.
- Loose: A loose dental crown can end up failing later on, especially if you eat sticky treats. Give our team a call right away so that we can help resolve the issue.
- Dark Line at the Base: If you have a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown, the top layer can start to wear down and reveal the darker metal underneath, which will need to be replaced.