Dental Crowns in Ballwin, MO
What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is essentially a cap shaped like a tooth. Dentists utilize crowns to repair teeth that are weak, fractured, or affected by decay. When a crown is placed, it covers the entirety of the tooth, much like a well-fitted hat. Achieving a precise fit requires the dentist to gently remove a small portion of enamel before securely bonding the new crown onto the tooth.
These crowns are meticulously crafted by dental technicians using a range of materials, such as resin, metal, and porcelain, ensuring durability and natural aesthetics.
Various Types of Dental Crowns
Metal Crowns
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) Crowns
Pressed Ceramic Crowns
All-Ceramic or Porcelain Crowns
Same-Day Dental Crowns
All-Resin Crowns
Affordable yet less durable compared to other types, resin crowns are a budget-friendly option. However, their susceptibility to breakage makes them less ideal for long-term use. Dentists often utilize resin for temporary crowns, with an average lifespan of three to five years.
Why Will I Need Dental Crowns?
- Excessive bleeding that does not subside after applying pressure
- Severe pain or swelling that worsens over time
- Signs of infection, such as fever, persistent bad breath, or pus discharge from the extraction site
- Persistent numbness or tingling in the lips, tongue, or chin, which may indicate nerve damage
- Firmly fasten a dental bridge to its position to guarantee stability and performance.
- Mask deep stains or discolorations on teeth to improve their appearance.
- After receiving root canal therapy, cover and protect the tooth to maintain its structural integrity.
Benefits of Dental Crowns
Restoration of Damaged Teeth
Prevention of Further Damage
Post-Root Canal Protection
Stabilization of Cracked or Broken Teeth
Integration with Dental Implants
Crowns are utilized to cover and secure dental implants, completing the restoration process and restoring full functionality to the smile.
Enhancement of Dental Aesthetics
Furthermore, dental crowns offer a durable and reliable long-term solution. With a typical lifespan ranging from 5 to 15 years, they provide lasting results that contribute to patient satisfaction and overall treatment success.
What Happens During Dental Crowns Procedure?
Multi-day Procedure with a Temporary Crown
First Visit
The initial steps involved in a dental crown procedure are as follows:
- Tooth Preparation: Your dentist will begin by preparing the tooth slated for the crown. This entails the removal of a portion of the natural enamel to accommodate the crown and ensure its stability upon bonding. In certain cases, your dentist may also utilize filling material to reinforce specific areas of the tooth. This step aims to establish a sturdy foundation for the new crown.
- Dental Impressions: Following tooth preparation, your dentist will take impressions of your teeth. These impressions can be traditional, using a putty-like material, or digital, employing a handheld scanner. Subsequently, these impressions are forwarded to a dental laboratory. Here, skilled technicians will utilize them to fabricate your custom dental crown.
- Temporary Crown Placement: Given the time required by dental labs to craft the final crown, typically two to three weeks or longer, your dentist will affix a temporary crown in the interim. Temporary crowns are typically fashioned from resin or acrylic, serving to protect the prepared tooth until the permanent crown is ready.
Second Visit
Upon completion of the crown by the dental lab, the process culminates in a second office visit, during which your dentist will:
- Remove Temporary Crown: Initially, your dentist will remove the temporary crown put in place during the first visit.
- Assess New Crown: Your dentist will meticulously examine the shape, color, and fit of the newly fabricated crown to ensure it aligns seamlessly with your natural dentition and meets your aesthetic preferences.
- Bonding: Finally, employing a robust dental cement, your dentist will securely bond the new crown to your tooth, finalizing the restoration process.
Same-day Dental Crown Procedure
- Digital pictures of the mouth are taken.
- Crown created in-office using digital scan.
- Wait time of 1 to 2 hours for crown fabrication.
- The crown is cemented into place.
- The entire process is completed in 2 to 4 hours.
- Possibility of resuming daily activities during the waiting period.
How Much Do Dental Crowns Cost?
- Gold crowns: $600 to $2,500
- All-porcelain crowns: $800 to $3,000
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns: $500 to $1,500
- Zirconia Crowns and E-max crowns: Approximately the same as all-porcelain crowns
- If you have dental insurance, typically around 50% of the crown's cost can be covered. However, the coverage depends on the type of insurance plan you have and your individual case.
Get Dental Crowns in Ballwin, MO
Don’t let dental issues diminish your smile’s brilliance and your confidence. Experience the transformative benefits of premium dental crowns in Ballwin, MO, from Legacy Dental Care. Schedule your consultation today and take the first step towards achieving a healthier, more beautiful smile!
Contact us at 636-235-7797 to book your appointment for dental crowns in Ballwin, MO. Let us help you regain your confidence and radiate joy with a stunning smile!
FAQs
Are dental crowns painful
Veneers vs. crowns: Which option is right for me?
A dental crown encases your entire tooth, providing comprehensive protection and reinforcement. On the other hand, a veneer is a delicate porcelain shell designed to cover only the front surface of your tooth, primarily for cosmetic purposes. The choice between the two depends on your individual goals:
- Veneers focus on aesthetics, addressing concerns such as chips, cracks, discoloration, and other cosmetic imperfections.
- Crowns, however, are primarily restorative, aiming to enhance the overall health and functionality of the tooth. While their primary goal is to improve tooth health, they can also contribute to enhancing its appearance.
What’s the most common alternative to a crown?
There are various alternatives to dental crowns, each tailored to suit different oral health objectives:
- Inlays and Onlays: In cases where a tooth is too damaged for a standard filling but not extensively compromised to require a crown, inlays and onlays offer a suitable solution. These restorations are custom-made to fit precisely within the affected area of the tooth, providing strength and protection akin to a puzzle piece.
- Veneers: They are an excellent option for people with cosmetic difficulties such as damaged, chipped, or discolored teeth. These small, carefully designed ceramic shells are glued to the front surfaces of teeth to effectively cover imperfections and improve the overall appearance of the smile.
- Tooth Extraction and Dental Implants: In circumstances where a tooth is badly decaying or damaged beyond repair with a crown, extraction and dental implant placement may be indicated. This treatment entails removing the damaged tooth and replacing it with a long-lasting dental implant, resulting in a dependable and long-term tooth replacement solution.