Dental Crowns – Denison, IA
Have Damaged Teeth? We Can Save Them
At our office in Denison, Dr. Bygness regularly uses crowns to repair badly damaged smiles. Our crowns are highly reliable, and oftentimes (depending on what material they’re made of), we’re able to design them in a way that makes them practically indistinguishable from the rest of your smile. Are you bothered by any worn-down, cracked, or decayed teeth? You might benefit from having a dental crown placed; call us to set up a consultation.
Why Choose 32 & You Family Dental & Orthodontic Arts for Dental Crowns?
- Multiple Materials to Choose From
- Fully Customized for Each Patient
- Team That Treats You Like Family
What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown completely covers a tooth, strengthening it while also replacing any parts of its structure that were lost. Our team places porcelain, ceramic, and titanium crowns depending on the circumstances. Since porcelain and ceramic can be shaded to blend in with your natural enamel, they’re usually good options for restoring the teeth that people can see when you smile. Meanwhile, the durable nature of titanium often makes it an excellent fit for the back teeth.
The Dental Crown Process
We’ll begin by making sure that the tooth in question is strong enough to support a crown. Oftentimes, we will also take X-rays to see if root canal therapy might be needed first.
Once we’re sure that it’s okay to move forward with the crown process, we’ll remove a bit of enamel from the top and sides of your tooth. The amount of enamel taken off can vary depending on the material your crown will be made of.
An impression will be taken of the prepared tooth as well as the tooth above or below it. Once the impression has been sent to a lab, your permanent crown can be created. It will eventually be sent to our office so that we can cement it in place. However, we will only put the finishing touches on the process once we have confirmed that the crown fits correctly and doesn’t make any unwanted changes to your bite.
The Benefits of Getting a Dental Crown
Life with a damaged tooth that has been left untreated can be both painful and inconvenient. Meanwhile, there are many advantages to having a dental crown placed:
- Once covered with a crown, the tooth will be safe from further damage.
- The crown will improve your ability to chew comfortably.
- With the right materials, dental crowns can be very discreet, thus restoring your beautiful grin without drawing the kind of attention that you don’t want.
- A dental crown can have a lifespan that exceeds 15 years. The better care you give it, the longer you can expect it to last.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are one of the most versatile dental treatments there is. They can be used in several places across the mouth and for many different purposes, meaning that there’s typically quite a bit to consider if you’re wondering how to incorporate your restoration into your budget.
Dr. Bygness believes strongly that pricing should be as transparent as possible, so we’ll give you a complete estimate of the cost of services when we meet you in person. Until then, here’s some information that will help you budget for restorative care.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Dental Crowns
First of all, there are several factors that go into what a dental crown will cost you. For one, you ought to think about the treatments leading up to getting the final restoration. Getting a root canal, for example, will involve a greater upfront cost than getting a crown for purely cosmetic reasons.
There are also several different materials that a dental crown can be made out of, each of which has differing price points. Weighing their costs against their merits is an important part of determining the direction of your procedure. We’ll be happy to help you find the material best suited to your needs at your consultation.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Crowns?
Every dental plan is different, so it’s impossible to say for sure what will be covered and at what rate without knowing the specifics. That said, dental crowns that are determined to be medically necessary are typically at least partially covered by dental insurance, with most plans paying for around 50% of their total cost.
Other Options for Making Dental Crowns Affordable
Even if you don’t have insurance, we have other ways to make getting restorative care affordable. We partner with CareCredit, a healthcare credit firm, to help split dental fees into more manageable monthly payments. If you qualify, you may be able to get financing with virtually no interest.
We want you to be able to get the care you need, so if you’re concerned about fitting dental crowns into your budget, we will be happy to help you explore all of your financial options.
Dental Crowns FAQs
What Are Dental Crowns Made Of?
Historically, dental crowns were made of amalgam metal, which could cause tooth sensitivity or detract from one's appearance. However, more recent advancements in dental technology and techniques have led to safer, more lifelike restorations. Now, they can be made from durable ceramic, like porcelain, that can be color-matched to one's natural teeth. These are ideal for anyone who has an allergy to certain metals, but they may not last as long as one made from titanium.
If you’re not sure what type of dental crown would suit your circumstances, the best way to find out is to contact us to schedule a consultation with Dr. Bygness.
Are Dental Crowns Permanent?
In one sense, dental crowns are considered permanent because they’re cemented in place and are not intended to be removed. Furthermore, for them to fit correctly over your tooth, our team must remove a thin layer of enamel. This protective outer layer doesn’t regenerate, meaning that your grin will be irreversibly changed. You’ll need to have a dental crown or other protection in place moving forward to preserve your tooth’s appearance and functionality.
That said, your prosthetic isn’t invincible and may eventually need to be repaired or replaced. For this reason, you might consider it a long-term solution rather than an everlasting one.
How Do You Know When a Dental Crown Needs to Be Replaced?
It’s important to pay attention to your oral health so that you notice any changes that could point to an underlying issue. Several indicators let you know your artificial tooth is nearing the end of its lifespan, including:
- Discomfort. If you’ve developed a persistent toothache that doesn’t subside or gets worse, the tooth underneath your prosthetic may have become injured or infected. Your restoration must be removed and potentially recreated to repair the damage.
- Wiggling. If your dental crown is loose or unstable, especially when eating something sticky, it’s time to contact us for a consultation.
- Worn appearance. Your restoration is customized to be the same size, shape, and shade as your natural teeth but can become stained or worn down over time. If you’re feeling self-conscious about your appearance, it may be time for a new one.
Does It Hurt to Get a Dental Crown?
You might hesitate to be fitted with a dental crown if you’re concerned that it’ll be a long and agonizing procedure. Thankfully, getting this type of restoration isn’t typically considered to be painful. At your initial appointment, our team will apply a local anesthetic to numb your troubled tooth so you don’t feel any pain. Then, we’ll prepare your teeth by gently removing some of your enamel, which may cause some slight sensitivity after the fact.
Once the laboratory delivers your final restoration, we’ll schedule you for a fitting. This involves cementing your dental crown, which doesn’t usually require additional numbing.