A dental crown (sometimes called a “tooth cap” by our patients) covers the entire visible portion of your tooth above the gum line so you can smile with confidence. Like the name suggests, a dental crown “crowns” the top of your tooth.
Continue reading to learn more about the dental crown procedure, as well as its uses and cost. We also recommend scheduling a consultation with our Grand Rapids family dentist at Precision Family Dental to discuss your options.
Uses for Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are used to restore teeth made fragile from large fillings or repeated procedures to the same tooth. For example, you may need a
to restore your tooth after a root canal. A root canal crown strengthens your tooth so it doesn’t fracture later. A front tooth crown can also be used on a severely discolored tooth that shows when you smile or talk.Dental crowns can restore:
- Cracked teeth
- Fractured teeth
- Decayed teeth
- Discolored teeth
- Misshapen teeth
- Fragile teeth
If you have a toothache, you’ll want to contact our office as soon as possible. The sooner you seek urgent dental care, the better your chances for saving a tooth. For example, a fractured tooth can be repaired by a dental crown if caught in time. If your tooth is painful, that is a sign that something is wrong. To learn if you are a candidate for a tooth crown, schedule an appointment with our dentist today.
Who Can Get Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are an option for patients whose natural teeth have been damaged or decayed. A crown can restore the function and appearance of a damaged tooth and prevent the need for a tooth extraction. Crowns are often needed after root canal therapy to cap and protect the damaged tooth.
Dental Crown Procedure
Unless your dentist uses CEREC technology like ours does, the dental crown procedure will take two appointments. We use CEREC to take detailed images of your teeth and gums before creating your dental crown in one appointment. Instead of waiting weeks for an off-site lab to make your permanent tooth restoration, we can create your CEREC crown in one appointment.
If your dentist doesn’t use CEREC, you can expect the
to take several weeks. During your first appointment, your dentist will remove enough enamel from the receiving tooth so the dental crown won’t look bulky.READ MORE: Are CEREC Crowns Better than Traditional Crowns? >>
Next, your dentist will take impressions of your teeth to send to the lab where your crown will be made. In the meantime, your dentist will create a temporary crown to protect your tooth. When you come back for your second appointment, the temporary crown will be replaced with the permanent restoration.
Cost of Dental Crowns
Our dentist can discuss the dental crown cost during your consultation. Keep in mind that the cost of your dental crown will depend on your insurance policy and the complexity of your case. We recommend checking with your dental insurance company before your appointment to see how much of the cost they are willing to cover.
Schedule an Appointment Today!
Dr. Piotrowski DDS and his team are dedicated to helping you maintain good oral health by offering dental crowns and other restorative dentistry services. To schedule an appointment with our Grand Rapids dentist, call Precision Family Dental at (616) 949-1570.
This blog post has been updated.