Hey everybody, I'm Dr. Jon from Boulder Canyon Dental, and we get a lot of questions about dental crowns and why we would recommend them. Today, I'm going to go over the most common questions on this topic so I can give you a better understanding about dental crowns.
What is a dental crown?
A dental crown is simply a cap or a hat that replaces damaged or missing tooth structure. It's a tooth-shaped cap or hat that covers or replaces damaged or decayed teeth. A dental crown is permanently glued to replace missing anatomy and restore function. In a modern dental practice, we're able to use dental crown materials in the most conservative way. A conventional crown is where you drill the tooth down to a tiny little nub and then put a crown on top. In our practice, a lot of the time, we can create our crown and whatever shape we want. As a modern dental practice of digital dentistry, we can create the shape of the tooth however we want. This means we don't have to drill the tooth down to a little nub and rely on a lab tech from another state to design something that may not fit in your mouth. We can do it on our own computer and equipment to preserve as much natural enamel as possible. Preserving tooth structure gives you the best chance to keep the tooth for a lifetime without needing extraction or a dental implant.
What are the types of dental crowns?
There are many different types of dental crowns, such as metal, porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, zirconia, or even modern dental ceramic glasses. With the advancement of dentistry, metals have pretty much been replaced with glass ceramic materials and zirconias.
When would a dentist recommend a crown versus filling?
A dentist will recommend a crown over a dental filling for either aesthetic or functional reasons. Functional reasons include strengthening or restoring damaged teeth from decay or trauma, while aesthetic reasons may involve replacing a discolored front tooth.
Can front tooth crowns look natural?
Dental crowns can look beautiful and natural, even in the front teeth. Since 2013, I've been handcrafting crowns chairside in-office, and we have stains and glazes to blend them to look almost exactly like the natural teeth around them. This allows front crowns to blend naturally with the rest of the teeth and make them part of a natural smile.
Can kids have dental crowns?
Even kids need dental crowns if we need to hold onto a baby tooth until the permanent tooth erupts to prevent teeth from collapsing and causing complications later. Kids can usually get stainless steel crowns to help preserve their bite function and hold necessary spaces. For aesthetic concerns or front teeth, a ceramic resin option is available to provide a natural color.
Can a crown save a cracked tooth?
Minor to moderate cracks in teeth can be saved with a crown if addressed early. If we detect a crack and get a crown around it before symptoms occur, the odds of avoiding discomfort or extraction are enhanced. Teeth are extrmely strong but naturally brittle, so protecting them from cracks with a night guard or Botox therapy is important therapies to consider.
What causes pain after a crown procedure?
It's not uncommon to experience mild sensitivity for a few days or weeks after a crown procedure. This is part of the natural healing process. If the tooth wasn't bothersome before the crown but is afterward, please call our office to check for bite interference or other issues. Persistent discomfort may require a root canal or extraction, especially if the tooth was symptomatic before the crown or if we found signifcant damage to the structure during the procedure.
What's the best way to avoid pain or complications following a crown?
The best way to avoid pain or complications is to get the crown done before the tooth starts hurting. Addressing cracks,cavities and defects before they cause discomfort minimizes complications.
What's the advantage of getting a dental crown from Boulder Canyon Dental?
The advantage of getting a crown from Boulder Canyon Dental is our technology. With a background in materials engineering, our office has a higher understanding of the dental crown process, including forces, design, and materials. We use one of the most accurate digital scanners, eliminating the need for gooey impressions and allowing for same-day crowns, which minimizes disruption and post-op sensitivity.
What's a dental procedure like at Boulder Canyon Dental?
A crown procedure at Boulder Canyon Dental starts with comfortably numbing the tooth using local anesthetic. If you're anxious, we offer nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation. Once the tooth is comfortable, we remove the damaged structure and scan the preparation with our camera. During the 45-minute break, we design your custom tooth while you relax.
If I need a root canal, can I get a crown in the same visit?
Something super cool that our office is great at doing is performing root canal procedures at the same visit as getting your crown. During that normal 45-minute downtime where we're custom-making your crown, that's the time when, if I need to do a root canal, I can do it during that amount of time. What that means is our normal crown appointment, which is about an hour and a half long, instead of having that break, I can do that crown and then do the root canal and seat the crown in the same amount of time as a single crown appointment. This allows you to get your root canal and crown done without having to come back multiple times and disrupts that. If you do happen to need your root canal as well, I can perform the root canal while the crown is being made. You can get your root canal and crown done in one visit to save you time and let you get back to your life with minimal interruption.
If you do happen to need a root canal, I can actually do that at your same visit as your crown appointment. So during that 45-minute pause and break, I can do your root canal while your crown is being made. This minimizes the downtime. A huge advantage at our office is that you can get your root canal and crown done in one visit to save you time and minimize disruption in your day-to-day life.
Another great advantage of our office is if you need a root canal and a crown procedure done, I can do that in one visit to minimize the amount of disruption in your day-to-day life.
How long does a dental crown last? Are they as strong as real teeth?
Dental crowns typically last anywhere from 5 to 15 years, but with proper care and good oral hygiene, they can even last longer than that. Crowns that don't tend to last very long may be due to poor oral hygiene habits or excessive forces that have not been treated with either night guards or Botox therapy. It's really important that if you are getting a crown, let us know all these conditions that are going on.
It is important if you are a person that clenches or grinds that we address that issue after your crown, so we can prolong the life of that crown for a better expectancy. If you're a patient that knows you don't have great oral hygiene habits, please let us know so we can properly care for your situation.
Dental crowns can last anywhere from 5 to 15 years, or even longer, but lifespan can vary based upon proper care and recommended therapies.
How do I care for a dental crown?
Caring for your dental crown is simple. You want to brush and floss and maintain great oral hygiene to maximize the lifespan of that crown.
Can I get a cavity under a dental crown?
Unfortunately, crowns are not bulletproof. They can fracture, debond due to excessive forces, or even get cavities, which are usually due to lifestyle choices of diet or poor oral hygiene. It's important to maintain good oral hygiene to prevent cavities that could form under a crown.
What is the cost of a dental crown?
The cost of a dental crown is typically $2,000. However, most dental insurance usually covers a big portion of that. If you don't have insurance or need extra assistance, we also have third-party financing such as Cherry, which can offer 0% over a prolonged period of time. So whether you need one crown or many crowns, it can make it affordable for everybody.
I hope I've been able to answer some of your questions today about dental crowns and why you would recommend them. If you're in need of a dental crown or a root canal and a crown and are ready to take action, please give us a call at (970) 514-0662. We're here to help.