Dental Crowns – North Grafton, MA
Renewing the Strength & Beauty of Your Teeth
Did you know that your tooth enamel is the hardest substance in your body? While your pearly whites might be stronger than your bones, this doesn’t mean they’re invulnerable. Furthermore, if your teeth get damaged, they won’t regenerate like your bones can. For pearly whites that have been damaged or decayed, our team can offer dental crowns in North Grafton to get them back in shape! These dental caps can repair the structure, enhance the strength, and boost the appearance of your teeth while protecting them from future complications. Keep reading to learn more about this amazing restoration treatment or give us a call today to schedule your initial consultation.
Why Choose Theroux Dental Associates for Dental Crowns?
- Restorations Made of 100% Porcelain
- Uses CEREC Digital Impression System
- Receive Dental Crowns in Just One Visit
What is a Dental Crown?
Dental crowns are tooth-colored caps that are specifically designed to cover the top of a damaged or decayed tooth. Not only will it fit perfectly to match the rest of your smile, but the material is durable enough to hold the compromised tooth together, strengthen it, and keep it safe from future damage or bacteria. Your dental crown will be constructed to look and feel like a natural tooth, and its color made to blend in with your other pearly whites.
The Dental Crown Process
Traditionally, dental crowns take two appointments to be completed. After your initial consultation, your dental team will prepare your affected tooth by shaving down a small amount of the enamel to make room for the restoration. Of course, your mouth will be numbed beforehand so that you’re completely pain-free throughout the process. Afterward, your team will take impressions, send them to a lab for fabrication, and within a couple of weeks you’ll get your final dental crown fitted to perfection.
Our team, however, utilizes CEREC technology, which allows us to create your permanent restoration in just a single visit! We’ll assess your situation as usual, prepare your compromised tooth, take impressions, and then fabricate your dental crown in-office. Once we’ve confirmed that the results are satisfactory and your bite feels comfortable, you’ll be sent on your way to enjoy your new and improved smile.
The Benefits of Getting a Dental Crown
With dental crowns, you can be sure to appreciate numerous advantages to your smile, including:
- Strengthened tooth structure and durability
- Renewed ability to chew, eat, and speak comfortably
- Protection against decay, infection, and further damage
- Enhanced appearance and function of your tooth
- Natural-looking dental materials that last 10+ years with proper care
Understanding the Cost of Dental Crowns
True enough, dental crowns are excellent at protecting teeth. However, you might fear that their price exceeds your budget. (A treatment won’t help if you can’t afford it.) That said, the cost of dental crowns isn’t set beforehand; it varies from patient to patient. As such, you’ll need to consult our dentists for an exact estimate. Our office will then work to make the dental caps more budget-friendly. If you’d like to learn how that works, just keep reading or call our office for details.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Dental Crowns
Our team will perform an oral exam when you first arrive for your consultation. Doing so lets us measure the factors relevant to your treatment price. In particular, these include the following:
- Crown Material – Some dentists offer tacky metal crowns, which tend to run cheap. In contrast, our practice provides pricier kinds made of tooth-colored porcelain and zirconia.
- Crown Creation Method – A crown made by a traditional lab is relatively inexpensive. Meanwhile, one made using CEREC technology will cost more.
- Severity of Damage – Depending on your tooth’s damage, a crown will have a higher or lower price. If the harm is minimal, you’ll only need the dental cap itself. More severe damage, though, may require preliminary work (root canal therapy, etc.) first. This latter case is pricier.
In addition to these factors, remember that cheap crowns usually don’t work well. They rely on poor materials and crafting. Therefore, try your best to get a pretty, reliable crown that’s long-lasting.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Crowns?
Fortunately, dental insurance typically does cover dental crowns. Placing the dental caps is a major procedure, so many plans offer partial coverage. Most will even cover up to 50% of the treatment cost.
Of course, not all dental insurance is the same. Your policy may not cover crowns. Alternatively, its coverage might involve special rules. Given these scenarios, you should first confirm your benefits with your insurance provider. Our office will even help you do so.
Other Options for Making Dental Crowns Affordable
Aside from insurance, there are other ways to make crowns affordable. One key example is a dental practice’s payment options. If you find the right kind, even a costly crown can fit your budget.
If you look at Theroux Dental Associates, you’ll find several payment options. These include:
- In-House Savings Plans – In exchange for an annual fee, our office will give you 10-15% off dental crown work.
- Flexible Financing – Our practice works with CareCredit, a reputable third-party financier. Thanks to their help, you could pay for a crown with low-interest monthly installments.
In the end, our team simply wants to make your crown helpful and budget-friendly. So, book a consultation at our office to learn more about treatment!
Dental Crowns FAQs
If you want to fix a damaged or decayed tooth, then a dental crown may be the ideal solution to fix your smile. Not only will this restoration strengthen its structure and improve your oral health, but you can also enhance the appearance of your smile for many years to come. Still, you may have some concerns about the treatment before committing to any work. That’s why our team has collected and answered some of the common questions we get about dental crowns from patients in North Grafton. Keep reading or reach out to us if you don’t see the information you’re looking for!
Do Dental Crowns Get Cavities?
Since dental crowns aren’t made up of the same organic, non-porous material as your natural teeth, they can’t form cavities. That said, it doesn’t mean your underlying pearly whites will be immune to bacteria and infections. Without proper oral hygiene habits, plaque and tartar can still grow around your gums where the tooth meets the restoration. Fortunately, you can easily avoid decay and bacteria by brushing twice daily, flossing every day (especially after meals), and rinsing frequently with mouthwash.
Are Dental Crowns Permanent?
You’ll eventually have to replace your dental crowns, so they aren’t considered a permanent treatment for your smile. Even so, with proper care, you can expect your results to last around 10 years or more. The only irreversible part of your procedure is that a small portion of your natural tooth enamel will be shaved down to fit the crown on top, which will not grow back on its own. This means your underlying tooth will need to be covered by a crown or other restoration going forward. The good news is that you can easily preserve your restoration for many years by practicing strict oral hygiene and visiting your dentist every six months.
What Happens If You Wait Too Long to Get a Dental Crown?
Some people tend to hold off on treating their teeth due to various reasons, but it’s best to schedule your treatment as soon as possible after your dentist has recommended a dental crown. Waiting too long can leave the compromised tooth more vulnerable to further damage and infection. Furthermore, you may end up requiring more extensive treatments like a root canal or an extraction, which will cost much more. To ensure you can keep your natural tooth, be sure to get a dental crown right after your dentist recommends one.
Is It a Dental Emergency If Your Crown Falls Off?
While losing a dental crown isn’t generally an urgent situation, you’ll certainly want to get it fixed within a few days. This is especially necessary if your underlying tooth has sharp or jagged edges that can accidentally damage your lips, tongue, or other soft oral tissues. For a temporary solution, try covering it with dental wax or even sugar-free gum until you can get your dental crown repaired. Avoid chewing on that side of your mouth as well. If it’s still in good shape, our team can simply recement the restoration back on your tooth.