Dental Crowns – Altamonte Springs, FL
Aesthetic Solutions to Several Smile Flaws at Once
Do you have damaged teeth in Altamonte Springs? Are your pearly whites just not as bright as you’d like them to be? Do you have some misaligned teeth, but don’t want to go through the whole ordeal of braces just for a few teeth? Then dental crowns might be right for you! At Distinctive Dentistry on Maitland, we can correct all these imperfections with high-quality, aesthetic dental crowns.
What are Dental Crowns?
Crowns, also called caps, are custom-made dental restorations that fit securely over damaged teeth to restore structural integrity and aesthetic appeal. Crowns can be used to support and protect teeth and prevent them from suffering further damage. Because dental crowns help stop further decay, chipping, and other damage from occurring, they can also improve the appearance of your smile.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns can be used to correct a wide variety of imperfections in your smile, such as teeth that are discolored, misshapen, chipped, or cracked. They can also be used to restore a damaged tooth to its original function. For example, if you have a tooth that is too weak to support a filling, a crown may be used instead to restore structure back to the tooth. It may also hold together parts of a cracked tooth when bonding or filling material is simply not enough.
What Are the Benefits of Crowns?
Crowns offer several benefits such as:
- Lasting up to 15 years with proper care
- Having renewed confidence from restoring a tooth
- Relief from dental discomfort or sensitivity
- Correcting multiple smile flaws at once
- Restoring your ability to chew your favorite foods again
- Being able to look like a natural part of your smile
How Are Dental Crowns Placed?
Placing a dental crown is a two-step process, beginning with an exam, X-rays, and the preparation of the tooth to fit the crown. Typically, the affected tooth and gum area will be numbed first. Once the tooth has been sufficiently prepped, we will make an impression of the tooth and send it to our lab to have the crown made. We will then place a temporary crown over the prepped tooth to protect it until the permanent crown is ready for placement.
During your second office visit, your temporary crown will be removed and replaced with the permanent one. One of our dentists will check the fit of your new crown and make any necessary adjustments before cementing it in place.
How Can You Take Care of Your Crown?
Day-to-day care for your crown is actually very similar to taking care of a natural tooth. Practice good oral hygiene habits like regular brushing, flossing, and visits to the dentist every six months. That way, we can make sure your crowns are staying in good shape, and we can keep an eye on them to see when they need to be replaced. With proper care, dental crowns in Altamonte Springs can last anywhere from five to fifteen years.
Dental Crown FAQs
If one of our dentists recently told you that you need a dental crown, you may have a few questions, especially if you’ve never gotten one before. You might not know exactly what to expect. Rest assured that our team will explain everything you need to know in great detail at your consultation. In the meantime, we encourage you to peruse this list of dental crown FAQs in Altamonte Springs.
How Much Do Dental Crowns Cost?
Each dental crown is custom-made according to your unique dental structure. Therefore, there is no fixed cost of getting one. We’ll go over the factors affecting the price of your treatment, as well as payment options like CareCredit, during your appointment.
Keep in mind that even if it seems expensive to get a dental crown now, it can actually save you money down the road. A crown can shield your tooth from further damage that may require costlier procedures, like root canal therapy or even a tooth extraction and replacement. Paying for a dental crown now may end up saving you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in dental care costs later on.
Are Dental Crowns Covered by Insurance?
Every dental insurance plan is different, but most of them deem dental crowns to be a major restorative procedure. As long as your crown is considered necessary to improve or restore your oral health, your insurance may offer partial coverage. In most cases, this is between 50% and 80% of the total cost.
No matter which PPO dental insurance plan you have, our team will accept it. We’ll even handle all of the paperwork for you so that you can just sit back and enjoy the savings.
What’s the Difference Between a Temporary Crown and a Permanent Crown?
While a permanent crown is usually made of porcelain, a temporary crown is typically made from acrylic or stainless steel. Additionally, it is not bonded to your tooth as powerfully as your permanent crown will be. Because of this, you’ll need to take precautions to ensure your temporary crown doesn’t come loose or break. In general, avoid directly chewing with that tooth (especially foods that are particularly hard or sticky) until your permanent crown is seated.
Can I Still Get Cavities If I Have a Dental Crown?
Although a dental crown protects the underlying tooth from damage, it is still possible for bacteria and plaque to build up near the base of the crown and reach the tooth itself. For this reason, it’s imperative that you continue brushing and flossing on a daily basis even if you have a crown. Pay close attention to the area where your crown meets your gums, as that is where bacteria love to accumulate.