At Sage Dental Care, we customize treatment for every patient according to their needs, and we understand that not every tooth can stay in pristine condition. That’s why we provide dental crowns, which offer lifelike restoration for injured, decayed, or broken teeth. We are happy to help your smile overcome obstacles and become beautiful, functional, and confident again, so give us a call and schedule an appointment if you have teeth that need dental crowns!
A dental crown, also known as a cap, is a prosthetic that replaces the top portion of a tooth. In most cases, other than implant restoration, the crown attaches to the root of a natural tooth, bringing back the tooth’s lost structure and strength.
If a tooth is injured or broken, a dental crown can hold the remaining parts of the tooth together, allowing you to keep the natural tooth beneath. Similarly, a tooth that has significant decay and cannot be fixed with composite resin fillings needs a crown to protect the vulnerable interior. This restoration may also be used to complete a single dental implant or cover a small or misshapen tooth.
For a dental crown, your tooth may need decay or damaged sections removed first, perhaps through a root canal or other therapy. In other situations, the tooth simply needs to be reduced to accommodate the new crown. In this process, we’ll remove some of the enamel. Then, we’ll get impressions of your mouth so that we can design and create your customized zirconia crown, which is fabricated here in our office thanks to CEREC technology. Once your permanent crown is finished, we’ll bond it on top, completing your natural-looking smile.
In most scenarios, a dental crown is all that stands between a patient and losing the tooth. It strengthens a damaged tooth that would otherwise be too weak to continue functioning on its own. Our dental crowns are also crafted to look just like a real enamel, which means that others won’t be able to tell that the tooth has a prosthetic on it. We have both the science know-how as well as an artistic eye to make sure your crown blends in seamlessly with the rest, so your smile appears completely natural and cohesive.
If you’re struggling with a tooth that is seriously decayed or damaged, then your dentist might suggest that you repair it with a dental crown. While this treatment is effective and long-lasting, it’s normal to want to know how much your restoration will cost. You wouldn’t want to be surprised when it comes time to pay the bill. Fortunately, since dental crowns are considered a major restorative treatment, they’ll likely be covered with dental insurance. We can also discuss alternative financing options to help make your procedure more affordable. Read on to learn more about the cost of dental crowns.
When estimating the overall price of dental crowns, we’ll need to consider a variety of factors that can impact how much you’ll pay. The most common ones involve:
Some people may be tempted to choose cheaper restoration solutions to save more money. In reality, this can end up costing them more due to the poorer quality of the treatment and results. To ensure a more successful and personalized solution, it’s best to consult your dentist so that they can provide a long-lasting restoration that looks and feels natural.
Dental crowns are essential for restorative care, so most dental insurance companies will offer some percentage of coverage for your treatment. On average, about 50% of the total cost of the procedure can be covered. Since every policy is unique for each person, you’ll want to confirm the details with your provider before jumping on board with the treatment. Our knowledgeable team can also help you file your claims, navigate your plan, and make the most of your benefits if you need us!
If you don’t have dental insurance, then you can explore alternative financing options to help make your dental crowns more manageable. Our office has a Healthy Smile Program—an in-office membership plan that can provide discounts on multiple dental services, including dental crowns, with a low annual fee. We’re also partnered with CareCredit—a third-party financier that has little-to-zero-interest plans that can help split up the overall price of treatments into monthly payments. This means you won’t need to empty your wallet to afford the restorations you need for a complete and healthy smile.
Even if you understand everything explained in the content above, you may still have questions about dental crowns in Reno. We have taken the liberty to answer some questions that we’ve been asked by patients in the past and hope that you’ll find the responses you’re looking for. If, however, you would like to discuss these in greater detail, don’t hesitate to bring them up during your appointment. We’ll happily address all your concerns and help you feel comfortable and confident moving forward with treatment.
Without anesthetic, getting a dental crown would be painful. Your comfort is important to us, which is why we make sure your mouth feels completely numb before we remove any enamel. Just like getting a cavity filled, you may have a tiny bit of soreness or sensitivity after getting a dental crown as the anesthetic wears off; however, any discomfort should be temporary. As soon as you can feel again, you can begin using your new crown!
The zirconia material used to make your dental crowns does not get cavities like enamel does. Although the prosthetic crown itself is not susceptible to decay, the natural tooth underneath is. The cap protects the underlying tooth structure, but bacteria can reach underneath the crown, infecting the tooth. As a result, you still need to take care of your dental crowns so that the tooth beneath can stay in good working condition. You also need to worry about the health of your gums, which can be negatively affected if your crowns are not properly maintained.
CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration or Esthetic Ceramic, which basically means that these crowns are crowns that are made right here in our office and placed in your mouth on the same day. The fabrication process typically takes about an hour, but a same-day crown does not involve a temporary crown or a second appointment. By doing our own milling in-house, we offer more convenience as well as the ability to make quick adjustments if necessary.
Keep in mind that dental crowns are not necessarily permanent. They can eventually get damaged or come out and will need to be replaced at some point. The lifespan of dental crowns is usually between 5 and 15 years. As you can see, that is a pretty wide spread, and how long your dental crown lasts often comes down to how well you maintain it. If you have a balanced diet with limited sugar, brush and floss daily, and come to our office for regular checkups and cleanings, your crown will likely land on the high end of the spectrum.
