Dental crowns are caps that cover prepared teeth suffering from damage or decay. These dental appliances can save your natural tooth while restoring its function and appearance.
In Germantown, MD, dental crowns typically cost between $800 and $1,500. This cost can vary depending on the type of crown and the natural tooth's position.
When Does a Tooth Need a Crown?
Tooth enamel is the body's hardest natural substance in the body. It typically covers the entire surface of each tooth. When the enamel layer becomes compromised, the tooth is vulnerable to infection and decay.
Cracked, broken, and decayed teeth may incur too much damage for a filling and need coverage from a dental crown. Dental crowns also protect teeth that have undergone root canal treatment.
How Crowns Work
The first step in a crown procedure is taking impressions of the damaged tooth and the surrounding area. The dentist takes digital or physical impressions to ensure the replacement tooth fits the patient's mouth.
After taking impressions, the dentist removes the tooth's damaged areas and smooths it to prepare for the restoration. The dentist then takes another set of impressions to help design the inside of the crown.
At this point, the dentist sends the impressions to the dental lab to make the final restoration or uses the CEREC machine to create a same-day crown. If the dentist sends the crown out to the lab, they provide a temporary crown to wear for one to two weeks while the final crown is in process.
After making the crown, it is time for the final placement. The crown fits perfectly over the prepared tooth, looking and feeling natural after carefully adjusting the patient's bite.
Dental Crown Materials
Ceramic and Porcelain
Porcelain and ceramic crowns look natural on the front teeth. They match the shape, color, and size of the surrounding teeth. Ceramic crowns are easy to clean and contain no metal, making them ideal for patients with metal allergies. The same-day CEREC system creates milled ceramic crowns.
Metal Alloys
Many patients opt for metal crowns in the back of the mouth. Silver and gold alloys are the most popular materials. They last longer than ceramic crowns and withstand more bite force.
Porcelain Fused to Metal
These crowns offer the best of both worlds: the durability of metal with the attractive qualities of a porcelain crown.
Benefits of a Dental Crown
- Natural look and feel
- Restores chewing ability
- Restores the appearance of your smile
- Lasts between five and 15 years, perhaps more with optimal care
- Protects teeth after root canals
- Saves the root structure of natural teeth, promoting jawbone health
- Keeps neighboring teeth in place, preserving tooth alignment
Call Total Dental Care
If you have a damaged or decayed tooth that a dentist can't repair with a filling or need a root canal, a crown may be the right choice to restore your smile. Please call Total Dental Care's Germantown, MD, office at 240-813-9111 to schedule an appointment today.