Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are one of the most effective dental treatments for protecting damaged teeth. A dental crown is a cap that’s placed over a broken, worn or decayed tooth. Shaped to look like a natural tooth, they’re typically used to cover teeth that have undergone root canal treatment or dental implants.
Since they accurately replicate the tooth’s natural appearance, cosmetic dental crowns are also common. In addition to restoring appearance, crowns function just like natural teeth.
Dental Crown Procedure
The dental crown procedure typically consists of:
- Preparing the tooth: Your dentist may have to remove some enamel from your tooth to make room for the crown. They may also use filling material to build up other parts of your tooth.
- Taking dental impressions: Next, your dentist will take a mold of your teeth, so they can create a crown that fits comfortably.
- Placing a temporary crown: While you wait for your crown to be created, your dentist may place a temporary crown.
- Adding your new crown: Once it’s ready, your dentist will call you back in to remove your temporary crown and replace it with a permanent one. They’ll also check that the color, shape and fit are all suitable for your mouth before bonding the crown to your tooth.
Types of Crowns
The main decision to make for your dental crown is the material you want it to be made from. The most common materials used include:
- Metal: Gold, palladium, nickel and chromium are often used in metal dental crowns. These crowns are strong and durable, but don’t have the appearance of a natural tooth. Their metallic appearance means they’re often used for less visible teeth.
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM): PFM crowns offer the more natural appearance of porcelain combined with the strength and durability that metal provides. However, the porcelain may chip away over time to expose the metal underneath.
- Pressed ceramic: Similar to PFM, pressed ceramic dental crowns have a hard inner core with porcelain layered on top, except the core is made entirely from ceramic rather than metal, making them a fully metal-free option.
- Porcelain or ceramic: Made solely from porcelain or ceramic, these dental crowns can accurately replicate the appearance of a tooth.
- Same-day: CAD/CAM (Computer-aided design and manufacturing) is used by some dentists to quickly create crowns the same day. Built from solid ceramic, the main benefit of these crowns is the faster treatment.
If you choose to have a cosmetic crown, it’s unlikely that it will be made from metal. Instead, cosmetic dental crown treatments will likely use ceramic or porcelain.
How Much Do Dental Crowns Cost?
The cost of your dental crown will depend on several factors, such as the crown’s material. However, you should expect to pay at least $750 for a permanent crown and perhaps as much as $3,000.
Dental Crown Treatment With Boise Family Dental Care
Whichever type of dental crown you want, Boise Family Dental Care can provide a fast and long-lasting dental crown treatment. To find out more, contact us today to schedule an appointment.