Dental Crowns – Brick Township, NJ
Proven Solutions to Repair Damaged Smiles
Damaged and decayed teeth can leave you feeling embarrassed. Not only will your aesthetic be compromised, but the status of your current health will continue to decline. Being around family, friends, and peers can become increasingly difficult, especially if the problematic teeth are visible to others. Fortunately, Dr. Gizachew at Nu Dental Brick can provide dental crowns to safeguard and strengthen the natural tooth structure, allowing you to feel more confident in your appearance. To find out if you are eligible for this restorative treatment, contact us today!
Why Choose Nu Dental Brick for Dental Crowns?
- High-Quality Materials Used
- Trained Professional with Years of Clinical Experience
- Convenient Hours for Busy Schedules
What is a Dental Crown?
Dental crowns are restorative solutions that are also known as “caps.” Designed to restore and strengthen the visible portion of a weakened tooth, it is also used when patients undergo dental implant placement to replace a single missing tooth.
Dentists have relied on dental crowns for decades (even centuries) to help individuals living with decayed or damaged teeth. The most common reasons your dentist might recommend a dental crown include:
- Severe damage caused by facial trauma
- Serious decay
- Weakened tooth enamel caused by bruxism (teeth grinding)
- Weakened tooth as a result of an enlarged filling that is causing damage to the natural crown
- Recent completion of root canal therapy or dental implant placement
- To cosmetically improve your smile
The Dental Crown Process
Prior to placing your dental crown, we’ll need to complete a consultation to ensure this is the best treatment based on your needs. If this is the case, we’ll start by administering a local anesthetic and carefully remove a small amount of your enamel so it can hold a crown. If present, we’ll make sure any and all decay is cleaned off before capturing impressions using our digital technology. This impression will be used to create your crown, which is made from tooth-colored dental ceramics. In the meantime, you’ll wear a temporary crown to cover your tooth, then come back to our office after the permanent crown is fabricated.
After about two weeks, your permanent crown will be made and ready to replace your temporary restoration. Once the permanent crown is attached, we’ll make any slight modifications as needed to ensure it keeps your bite even and looks as natural as possible inside your smile.
The Benefits of Getting a Dental Crown
Known for their durability and functionality, dental crowns offer patients a tried-and-true solution that provides a multitude of benefits, some of which include:
- Enhanced aesthetics
- Boosted confidence
- Covered by dental insurance
- Can be completed in just 2-3 visits to our dental office
- Can effectively repair and restore a tooth’s natural structure
- Prevent future reinfection or damage from reaching the weakened tooth
- Customized restorations that blend in with your smile
- Capable of lasting a decade or longer with proper care and maintenance
Understanding the Cost of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are sometimes necessary to build up and protect damaged teeth from enduring additional harm. However, many patients worry about the cost of their new restoration, so we’re here to help. During your consultation with us, we will go over the cost of your treatment in train. Until then, here are some things for you to take into consideration.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Dental Crowns
There are multiple factors that contribute to the cost of dental crowns. Here are the main ones that we consider:
- Severity of Damage: If your tooth has been significantly damaged, you may need another treatment in addition to your dental crown to repair it. For example, if your tooth is infected, you might need root canal treatment before having a dental crown placed. The cost of all your treatments should be taken into account.
- Materials Used: Dental crowns can be crafted from a variety of different materials. Each material is at a different price point.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Crowns?
If medically necessary, dental crowns usually receive partial coverage from insurance providers. Every plan is a little bit different, but the majority of providers consider dental crowns to be a “major restorative procedure.” This means that approximately half of the treatment cost is covered after your annual deductible has been met. It is best to check with your provider ahead of time so you don’t run into any surprises. Our team would also be happy to help you with this process. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Options for Making Dental Crowns Affordable
If you don’t have dental insurance, this doesn’t mean that you will be left to pay your whole bill at once. With our in-house membership plan, you can receive discounts on treatments completed at our price for an annual fee. We are also happy to accept payments through CareCredit – a third-party financing company that can split the cost of your treatment into manageable monthly installments with little-to-no interest. If you have any questions or need help applying, feel free to give us a call!
Dental Crowns FAQs
Do you have a moderate to severely decayed or damaged tooth? If so, you can forego the need for extraction by covering it with a dental crown instead. These restorations can both strengthen the structure and improve the appearance of compromised pearly whites. Even so, you might want to know as much as possible before undergoing the procedure. That’s why we’ve compiled some of the most frequently asked questions about dental crowns in Brick Township. Read on to learn more about this treatment or reach out to us today to schedule your consultation!
Can Dental Crowns Be Whitened?
While your dental crown will look similar to your natural teeth, it won’t be made of the same organic, porous material. Since it doesn’t have the microscopic pores needed for bleaching gels to treat stubborn stains, you won’t be able to whiten your restoration. If you want to maintain a bright and healthy dental crown, you’ll want to consult your dentist about undergoing professional teeth whitening before moving forward with placing your dental cap. This way, your restoration can specifically be color-matched with the same shade as the rest of your smile.
Are Dental Crowns Permanent?
Although dental crowns are designed to be incredibly durable and long-lasting, you will eventually have to replace them with a new one. This means they’re technically not considered a permanent restoration option. That said, the process is still technically irreversible, as your natural enamel will need to be reshaped/altered for your crown to fit properly. Once the enamel has been removed, it will not grow back on its own, which means you’ll require a dental cap at all times going forward. Still, with proper care and regular visits to your dentist, you can expect your restoration to last around 5 to 15 years!
Does It Hurt to Get a Dental Crown?
Like with most other dental procedures, our team will first numb the area we’ll be working on with a local anesthetic. This means you shouldn’t feel any pain during your procedure and several hours afterward. We may even offer you sedation dentistry to keep you completely relaxed while you undergo the treatment. Though the process itself won’t be uncomfortable, it’s normal to experience mild soreness or sensitivity for several days after your appointment is over. Fortunately, you can easily remedy these sensations by taking over-the-counter pain relievers.
How Do You Know When a Dental Crown Needs to Be Replaced?
Your dentist can know for sure if your dental crown needs replacing by physically examining it and taking X-rays. Still, you can typically keep an eye out for certain indications that your restoration is nearing its lifespan, including:
- Discomfort – If the tooth underneath is decayed, we’ll need to remove the crown to treat the cavity.
- Instability – Your crown shouldn’t feel loose, even when chewing something sticky. If it does, notify your dentist right away for help.
- Worsened appearance – You should replace a dental crown that is visibly worn down, discolored, or otherwise damaged.
- Dark line at the base – Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns can start to wear down and expose the dark metal portion underneath. This can imply your restoration is nearing its end and needs a replacement.