Affordable Tooth Crown
Natural & Affordable Tooth Crown To Treat A Range Of Dental Concerns For Natural & Beautiful Results That Last.
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Tooth Crown / Dental Crown
Tooth crown is a cap that covers over and protects the complete enamel of the tooth, restoring the tooth to the authentic shape. It seals the enamel and protects it from further damage. If the Enamel which is the strongest substance in the body that protects the tooth has suffered some damage beyond repair, we will replace it with a dental crown to restore function and aesthetic or sometimes with a partial crown
What you will learn about tooth crowns
What is a partial crown
Partial crowns sometimes refereed to as onlays or inlays are similar to dental crowns in many ways. Like regular tooth crowns, they are also made from porcelain and they’re also designed to protect and preserve a maximum amount of your healthy tooth structure. The difference is that a partial crown is designed to cover only the portion of the tooth that is blemished or damaged, rather than capping the tooth entirely.
What does a crown do for a tooth?
If a Dentist has diagnosed you of the need for a Dental crown and you are left wondering what exactly a Dental crown does for your teeth. The single important function a dental crown provides for the tooth is support and protection. When a tooth has suffered any kind of damage, usually to the enamel and/or the Dentin or Pulp, the tooth is covered with a cap to protect and support the tooth structure that’s left. A crown can also serve a cosmetic purpose. It can be used to cap a discolored tooth, misshapen tooth or a tooth with a silver filling that the patient does not like.
Why Does A Tooth Need To Be Crowned ?
The following are typical reasons for putting a crown on your tooth:
- When a tooth is badly broken down, a normal filling may not be strong enough for chewing
- The tooth had root canal treatment done previously
- To improve the appearance and/or contour of a tooth that is discolored, misshaped or out of alignment
- The tooth is under heavy chewing force, has cracked, or needs protection from wear and tear
why do I need a crown instead of a filling
The Dentist would most likely recommend a crown if the decay is too large for a filling. The filling would most likely fall off. Fillings are efficiently used to repair a small area of decay, the procedure can be completed fairly quickly, and is a less expensive option. However, a crown is recommended for badly decayed, broken or damaged teeth and offers many, long term benefits. The Dental crown would reinforce and strengthens the tooth in a way the filling can not making it the ideal option for large decay restoration
Types of Tooth Crowns
Generally, dependent on the type of material the crown is made from, There are 5 types of Dental crowns: ceramic, porcelain fused to metal, gold alloys and base metal alloy crown
1) Ceramic Tooth Crown
Ceramic — These are used for restoring front teeth, and are popular in this area for their ability to blend with your natural tooth color. The crown is made of a porcelain-based material.
2) Porcelain fused to metal crowns
Porcelain-fused to metal – This crown provides a stronger bond than regular porcelain because it is connected to a metal structure. It’s also extremely durable. but it is not uncommon to have the porcelain fall off exposing the underlying metal thus ruining the aesthetics of the crown.
3) Gold alloy crowns
Gold alloys – This crown is a mix of gold, copper and other metals. In addition to providing a strong bond to the tooth, it doesn’t fracture, nor does it wear away the tooth itself.
4) Resin crowns
Resin Crown – These are typically the least expensive option when it comes to selecting a dental crown. They however come with a disadvantage. Resin, the material they are made from can wear down more quickly than other material types hence, it needs to be replaced more quickly than other types.
5) Base metal alloys / Stainless Steel crown
Base metal alloys – This crown is made up of non-noble metals that are highly resistant to corrosion, and make for a very strong crown. It also requires the least amount of healthy tooth to be removed prior to fitting.
Can a crown get a cavity?
A crown is made from materials (porcelain and metal but in some cases, only porcelain ) that mimics the function and aesthetics of a natural tooth. Dental crowns may break or splinter if it’s not the right quality or not used properly but it would not get a cavity as the science behind tooth decay does not apply to Dental crowns. But the underlying tooth supporting the crown may however get decayed/develop a cavity.
How long does a tooth crown last
A good dental crown should last an average of about 10 years. That is not to say we have not seen patients who have worn their dental crown for over 30 years and patients who have worn it for less. It just goes to say that like every other object, Regular use will cause the crown to wear down gradually and eventually have to be replaced and certain oral hygiene, personal lifestyles, and mouth-related habits can influence how long your dental crown would last. A well designed and crafted crown if well taken care of should last a long time.
Can a crown last a lifetime
Rarely but can last a long time. Your overall oral health, personal lifestyles, and other mouth-related habits can influence how long your dental crown would last. Some medical conditions like Mikulicz disease , Sjögren’s syndrome, arthritis, diabetes mellitus can influence your general oral health and invariably your Dental crowns.
How much does a crown cost?
In Houston TX at keem smile Dentistry, a Dental crown (porcelain/Ceramic )costs $699 for self-paid patients without insurance. For patients with some form of dental insurance, the price would vary and most likely be less depending on the level of coverage you have for dental crowns. Preliminary expenses such as X-rays, tooth build-up cost (not in all cases), gum tissue position and lab fees may affect the total cost of the procedure in some offices. The type of material the crown is made from will also affect the cost. Tooth build-up is not needed all the time and we usually waive lab fees and x-ray cost for our patients.
Are crowns better than veneers
Not necessarily because they are both made of similar materials but serve different purposes which often overlap. Veneers mostly serve a cosmetic purpose and would only cover the front of your tooth while a Dental crown would cover the whole tooth. A partial crown may also cover some parts of the tooth if we are trying to retain the tooth enamel. On a case by case note, veneers and crowns are more suitable for different purposes, not necessarily one better than the other. Meaning a partial crown or a veneer may be better for a particular purpose than a crown and vice versa. Discuss with our Dentist, he will recommend the best choice for you. Contact us at 832-906-6127
Can you replace a crown
It is not uncommon for a crown to become loose/fall off, chipped/broken or get decayed (tooth under to get a new decay). When your crown becomes loose or falls off, most of the time it can be re-cemented back. If chipped/ broken and doesn’t affect esthetic and function, we will recommend that you leave it alone. But if it affects your smile and/or function, we will recommend a new one.
Can a Tooth crown fall off?
Yes especially when the cement is old/ weak or when the tooth preparation for the crown is not done correctly by the dentist or when the tooth under is decayed. We can re-cement it if possible but sometimes a new crown is a solution to the problem. If you also grind or clench your teeth, you’re also more susceptible .
How is A Tooth Crown Placed ?
A Crown is usually set in two dental visits or single visit with 3d Dental imaging and 3D Printers (Cerec Crowns) These latest technoly allows for Dental crowns to be delivered ina single visit. for most Dentist, Dental crowns are still completed in two visits.
First Visit, The dentist will numb the area surrounding the tooth with a local anaesthetic. The tooth will be filed down, and an impression of it taken, to construct your crown to exact specifications.
Second Visit, The Crown is ready. The Dentist places it in your mouth, makes the necessary adjustments till You are ok with its looks and feel. The crown is then cemented in place and the Doctor will once again check to verify that your bite is right. You will not be able to use the crown until the cement sets properly usually after 24 hours
Is it painful to have a crown put on your tooth
Having a crown put on your tooth is generally not a painful procedure. The tooth may get very sensitive after the Doctor has prepared the tooth for the cap to be put on but the Doctor would get you numb for the procedure so that you don’t feel anything while it is being done. If your crown is a multi visit procedure, having the temporary crown removed and the permanent one cemented is also not painful. More often than not about 8 in 10 cases you don’t need to be numb for the cementation of your crown but if you feel too sensitive, the Doctor will numb you. The big advantage if you are not numb is the fact that you will be able to tell correctly if your bite is off before cementation. But if you are numb, you can come back for adjustments when the numbness wears off if needed.
Post Operative Care of Tooth Crown Treatment
- Hard foods and chewing gums should be avoided until the crown sets properly. Foods that are easy to chew such as pasta, bananas and applesauce are advised or hard candy
- There might be some pain after the permanent crown is placed which will come as a surprise to people who had a temporary one. This is because, the permanent crown comes directly in contact with the nerve. The Dentist will prescribe appropriate medication for this. The patient must not take more medicine than prescribed.
- Smoking should be stopped for a few days as Nicotine in the blood inhibits healing and prolongs recovery time.
- Alcohol should be avoided while on medication as the medicines might react with alcohol and present a toxic result
- On the first day after surgery, after care measures are important. A cold compress should be applied to the appropriate side of the face to minimize swelling.
- Avoid Extreme Temperature, Hot or Cold Like Ice or Hot liquids like Coffee and Tea must be avoided for at least 3 days after surgery as they can trigger sensitivity and greatly increase the fracture of porcelain and natural teeth
What can you not eat with a Dental crown ?
Your new Dental crown will function just like your regular tooth will. Any food you can eat with your tooth you can eat with a capped tooth. A simple precaution would be when you crown an anterior tooth, avoid pulling anything with your tooth to avoid the risk of the crown becoming loose or worse still break off.
Pros and Cons of A Tooth Crown Treatment
Pros
- Permanent solution: The first benefit of a tooth crown is that unlike dentures, dental crowns need not be removed regularly or cleansed separately. Regular brushing or floss can easily prevent infection around crowns.
- You can keep your original teeth: While applying a crown, only the weakened or damaged part of the tooth are removed. The crown is made to fit on top of the remnants of the actual tooth.
- Less invasive procedure: This treatment calls for a simple process that does not involve treating the nerves or gums. Thus, only the visible part of the tooth is operated upon, minimizing the possibility of complications and reducing recovery time for a dental crown.
- Aesthetic aspects: Dental crowns made up of porcelain match the size, color and shape of your original teeth but easily wear out. However, one can choose from a variety of other options like porcelain-fused-metal, zirconia, gold or silver crowns
Cons
- Increased sensitivity: Unlike dentures or bridges, dental crowns do not fix nerve endings, which may lead to increased pain or reactivity to heat or cold. This sensitivity generally disappears in a few days. During this period, the patient may be given analgesics to ease the pain.
- Damage to underlying tooth: A crown which is not properly fixed or gets loose with time may lead to accumulation of bacteria under it leading to infection and damage to the tooth underneath. Proper cleaning of crown and use of antibiotics can nullify the infection.
- More tooth reduction: Some crowns need excessive trimming of the tooth structure to achieve a better fit. This leads to shedding of a large part of the natural tooth. Different material can be used for crown to avoid this.