Dental Crowns in Ballwin, MO
At Legacy Dental Care, we provide excellent dental crowns in Ballwin, MO because we recognize that having damaged teeth may negatively impact your confidence and jeopardize your oral health. Dental crowns are a strong and aesthetically beautiful way to repair your teeth’s look and functionality.
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
When it comes to dental crowns, there exists a variety of types, each catering to different needs and preferences dictated by individual oral health requirements.
Metal Crowns
Crafted from metals like gold, palladium, nickel, and chromium, metal crowns boast exceptional durability and longevity. Their resilience against chipping or breaking makes them ideal for enduring wear and tear. Furthermore, minimal enamel removal is necessary for their placement. Despite their robustness, the metallic color may deter those seeking aesthetic discretion, making metal crowns a preferred choice for molars located out of plain sight.
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) Crowns
Combining the strength of metal with the natural appearance of porcelain, PFM crowns offer a balance of durability and aesthetics. Dentists can meticulously match these crowns to the shade of your existing teeth. Nevertheless, they serve as a viable option for both anterior and posterior teeth restoration.
Pressed Ceramic Crowns
Featuring a hard ceramic core, pressed ceramic crowns resemble PFMs but with a ceramic inner core instead of metal. Similar to PFM crowns, the layers of ceramic may experience gradual chipping. Dentists commonly recommend pressed ceramic crowns for both anterior and posterior teeth restoration.
All-Ceramic or Porcelain Crowns
For those prioritizing natural aesthetics or with metal allergies, all ceramic or porcelain crowns provide an ideal solution. Mimicking the appearance of natural tooth enamel, these crowns offer unmatched aesthetic resemblance. Zirconium dioxide, a popular material for ceramic crowns, ensures exceptional durability and minimal wear on opposing teeth. All-ceramic crowns are often the preferred choice for patients seeking both aesthetic appeal and functional reliability.
Same-Day Dental Crowns
Utilizing CAD/CAM technology, many dentists now offer same-day crown services, allowing for on-site fabrication while you wait. This advanced software enables digital dental impressions and custom crown design, followed by milling from a solid block of ceramic. However, suitability for same-day crowns varies among individuals, necessitating consultation with your dentist.
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?
Dental crowns serve a number of vital functions in dentistry. Usually, they must:
These crowns are meticulously crafted by dental technicians using a range of materials, such as resin, metal, and porcelain, ensuring durability and natural aesthetics.
- 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
Dental crowns offer a versatile solution to various dental issues, providing comprehensive support and protection for compromised teeth. They serve multiple purposes, including:
Restoration of Damaged Teeth
Dental crowns effectively support teeth that have undergone significant decay, reinforcing their structure and functionality.
Prevention of Further Damage
They act as a protective shield for teeth that have worn away, preventing additional damage and preserving their integrity.
Post-Root Canal Protection
Following a root canal procedure, dental crowns provide essential protection to the treated tooth, ensuring its long-term viability.
Stabilization of Cracked or Broken Teeth
In cases of severe cracks or fractures, dental crowns serve to hold the affected tooth together, restoring its strength and preventing further deterioration.
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
Beyond functional benefits, dental crowns can also improve the appearance of a tooth by altering its shape or color, enhancing overall smile 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?
According to estimates provided by CostHelper, the current price range for dental crowns per tooth varies as follows:
- 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.
For cosmetic treatments involving crowns, it’s unlikely that your insurance plan will cover the expenses. However, if the treatment is deemed preventive (such as covering a root canal or repairing a broken tooth), there’s a possibility that your insurance may cover at least a portion of the cost, if not the entire amount.
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
Your dental crown should not cause pain. While it is common to experience some sensitivity after having a crown placed, you should not endure pain or discomfort that disrupts your sleep. If you feel any pain during the procedure, inform your dentist immediately. They can administer additional anesthesia to ensure your comfort throughout the process.
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.
Our Happy Client Testimonials
Looking for a comfortable dental visit? Read real reviews about our teeth bonding.
We all know going to the dentis most of the time is avery stressful filling. Legacy Dental made my... appointments comfortable on every level. Dr.Cousins thank you and your staff for a great experience. Looking forward to my next visit.read more
I think Dr. Darling deserves 10 stars, but I can only give 5. I haven’t always had the best... experiences when it has come to dental care in the past but with Dr. Darling and her staff, it has always been better than expected. I have had the misfortune of needing to contact her office twice for urgent dental concerns. Both times the doctor personally contacted me OUTSIDE OF WORK HOURS to help me. If that isn’t the greatest level of patient care, I don’t know what is. I would highly recommend.read more
Dr. Darling and the staff are always fantastic! They know are personable, kind and love their... clients. They are sinply the best around!read more
Dr. Darling and the staff at Legacy Dental Care are fantastic! They are friendly and helpful... people! The exam and cleaning were extremely thorough. I love that they are so organized and give a lot of communication about upcoming appointments, etc. I always feel like they are on top of things.read more
New patient at Legacy Dental and I couldn’t be more pleased! Vanessa, my dental hygienist provided... the most gentle yet effective cleaning I’ve had in years and Dr. Darling was very kind, approachable and thorough as she went over the status of previous dental work and the health of my mouth. I highly recommend their office for dental care!read more
I’m always happy with the job that Dr. Darling and the Hygienist’s do. The office staff was so... helpful and courteous to me even when I needed to reschedule some appointments. I recently had some restoration work done by Amira and the results were excellent. I really like my new smile! Thanks again Legacy Dental.read more
Schedule an Appointment
Patient Form
Conveniently Located in Ballwin, MO
