Trauma or damage to a tooth can come in various forms. Tooth chips or cracks from an accident, worn down teeth from years of use, and teeth with severe decay are among the types of damage we see at our dental office. However, such issues need not be final. To preserve a vulnerable tooth and restore its appearance, we offer patients tooth crowns.
Crowns are a cosmetic restoration used to strengthen a tooth or improve its shape. Dental crowns are most often used for teeth that are broken, worn, or partially destroyed by tooth decay.
Crowns are “cemented” onto an existing tooth and fully cover the portion of your tooth above the gum line. In effect, the crown becomes your tooth’s new outer surface. They can be made of porcelain, metal, or both. Porcelain crowns are most often preferred because they mimic the translucency of natural teeth and are very strong.
tooth crowns are needed when there is insufficient tooth strength remaining to hold a filling. Unlike fillings which apply the restorative material directly into your mouth, a tooth crown is fabricated away from your mouth. Your crown is created in a lab from your unique tooth impression which allows a dental laboratory technician to examine all aspects of your bite and jaw movements. Your crown is then sculpted just for you so that your bite and jaw movements function normally once the crown is placed.
Dental crowns are a long-lasting solution to numerous problems. Patients with tooth decay, those in need of root canals, or who have broken or damaged teeth can save their teeth with a protective crown on top. But patients with cosmetic issues can also benefit from dental crowns.
Teeth that are discolored, dull, or stained that won’t respond to whitening treatments can have a crown placed that’s the exact shade and hue they want. Similarly, teeth that are misshapen, gapped, or chipped can get a cap or crown to cover and correct imperfections.
Dental crowns may also be needed for other restorative dentistry. They are durable anchors for dental bridges and often cap dental implants.
Whatever your need may be, tooth crowns are versatile solutions that last for years while resembling natural teeth in both look and feel.
Inlays and onlays have similar purposes as a dental crown, which are to protect weakened teeth from further decay or wear. They may be recommended when a tooth is damaged enough to require extra restorative dentistry beyond just a filling, but not enough to warrant needing a dental crown.
Also similar to crowns, inlays and onlays are made with durable materials that resemble the color of surrounding teeth. Inlays, as the name suggests, are bonded to a molar’s inside surface. Onlays are, in a sense, partial crowns covering outside surfaces and tooth cusps.
Meet with our dentist in Marietta, GA, for a consultation appointment! We’ll determine if your tooth damage requires inlays, onlays, or a tooth crown to preserve the tooth in question.
The cost of dental crowns depends on the chosen crown type, any additional treatments required to remove decay or damage, and any insurance coverage. With all these variables, patients can expect the cost to be around $1,000 to $1,500.
Kenmar Dental accepts nearly all dental insurances. We also offer lower cost, affordable dental crowns for our patients in Marietta, GA.
Another important factor to consider is the cost of dental crowns compared with the cost of extracting and replacing a tooth. Crowns are worth the cost to get back the functionality and appearance that a complete smile can offer, but also because they help preserve natural teeth. This is in an effort to avoid tooth extractions and replacements that may cost you even more.
Kenmar Dental is proud to offer our patients in Marietta, GA with same-day crowns that can be sculpted and placed in a single appointment’s time! Our dentist will use a digital x-ray scanner to create a 3-D model of your tooth. An in-office milling machine then sculpts a nearly identical permanent crown. The high-quality and full functionality of the dental crown remains the same, but at a much greater convenience to our patients.
Generally, the appointment time for same-day crowns lasts up to 2 hours. This allows for enough time to get a digital impression of your teeth, create the permanent crown, remove tooth decay and damage, reshape the damaged tooth in preparation for the crown placement, and bond the dental crown to the tooth. No recovery time is needed!
In answer to this, we say treat your crown the same way you should treat any of your teeth! Taking good care of dental crowns requires consistent habits for good oral hygiene including:
If you’re practicing good dental hygiene habits like those mentioned above, your dental crown should last 10-15 years. Patients with a history of teeth grinding may wear down the dental crown and require a replacement crown sooner.
Dental crowns may stain without proper cleaning and the frequent consumption of red wine, coffee, and other high-staining substances. Try avoiding or limiting these foods where possible to keep your crown brighter.
Unfortunately, crowns cannot be whitened like other natural teeth. So, if you would like to brighten your smile, do so before placing a permanent crown so that the crown’s color may match the desired hue.
Dental crowns can be sculpted for front teeth, molars, and any other tooth in between. An alternative to porcelain crowns for front teeth are all-resin crowns. However, this material is far less durable and will not last as long as metal or porcelain crowns.
Should you be practicing the aforementioned dental health habits, you should be able to keep cavity-causing bacteria at bay. During biannual teeth cleanings and examinations, our dentist will also check how well your natural tooth is doing under its crown.
Protect damaged teeth, preserve them, correct imperfections, and get your full-functioning and great-looking smile back with dental crowns!
Why choose Kenmar Dental for dental crowns in Marietta, GA? Our entire staff is committed to providing you with the highest quality care and personalized service. With our advanced technologies and specialized care, we can provide you with all the dental services you need in one place. Our office is conveniently located right off of I-75! We understand just how valuable your time is; our dentist will get you in and out sooner while still providing the high standard of service our practice is known for.
We enjoy getting to know each patient and their families! Our staff would love to get to know you and answer any other questions you have about tooth crowns. Get in touch with us today or schedule an appointment to begin.
