The Benefits of Dental Crowns
If you have cracked or weak teeth, dental crowns can help. A dental crown is a cap that covers the entirety of your tooth, protecting it from additional harm. The crown strengthens the tooth so you can live your life knowing your smile is safe.
Dental crowns can be made from a variety of materials, from metal to resin to ceramic or porcelain. Ceramic, resin, or porcelain crowns are custom-made to blend in with your teeth so your smile looks natural.
Dental Crown Process
Consultation & Temporary Crown
The first step of the crown process is a consultation with Dr. Robson. Your tooth will be examined and assessed to make sure a crown is the best solution for you.
If Dr. Robson decides to proceed with the crown placement, he’ll file down your tooth so the crown will be able to fit over it. Not much of the tooth needs to be removed, usually about half a millimeter for the best fit.
After your tooth has been shaped, Dr. Robson will take an impression of your teeth. The impression will be sent to a lab so your permanent crown can be created. You’ll have a temporary crown placed over your tooth until the permanent one is ready.
Permanent Crown Placement
When your crown is ready, we’ll call you back to the office. Dr. Robson will then remove the temporary crown so your new permanent crown can be placed. The crown will be affixed using special dental adhesive and should last for 5-10 years with proper care.
You can take care of your crown by practicing regular dental hygiene. Brushing and flossing daily will maintain your crown, and visiting the dentist every six months will ensure you don’t have to replace your crown too often.
Reasons for Dental Crowns
There are a variety of reasons to opt for a dental crown. Some of our patients have crowns because:
- They have a cracked or damaged tooth
- Support is needed for a tooth that’s had a large filling
- They have a dental bridge that needs support
- They want to cover their dental implant
- A discolored or misshapen tooth stands out
Dental Bridges
If you have one or more missing teeth, bridges may be a good option for you. A dental bridge is one piece, made with two crowns on either side of a natural-looking prosthetic tooth. The process is very similar to receiving crowns, but for two teeth.
To fill a single gap in your smile, you’ll have the two adjacent teeth prepared for crowns. Impressions of those teeth will be made and sent to a lab that will create your bridge. We’ll provide a temporary bridge while you wait for your permanent restoration.
Once your bridge is ready, you can return to our office. Dr. Robson will remove the temporary bridge and place the permanent bridge. At this point, you’ll be ready to show off your beautiful new smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I whiten a dental crown?
Dental crowns are matched to the color of your existing natural teeth. Crowns are also unaffected by whitening products, so they can’t be whitened. If you want to have your teeth whitened, we recommend doing so before you get a crown.
How much do dental crowns cost?
Dental crowns can vary in price depending on the material used to make it. Their cost ranges from about $800 to $1700 per crown, but most insurance companies cover some of the costs.
We offer a variety of financing options to help you afford your crown.
What are my options if my crown has been damaged?
If your crown has been damaged, contact our office immediately. We can get you in for an appointment to replace your crown as soon as possible.
Can I replace gold or metal crowns with a porcelain crown?
Dental crowns shouldn’t be replaced too often because that can lead to issues, but if you want a more natural-looking crown, we can help.
Contact Us
If you have a cracked or damaged tooth, you shouldn’t have to worry about it causing problems for you. Crowns will ensure your tooth is protected so you can live your life unrestricted.
For more information about crowns and bridges or to schedule a consultation, call 616-942-9595. You can also fill out our online contact form and we’ll get right back to you.