A dental crown is a cover, often called a dental cap, that is placed over a tooth to restore its normal size, strength and even improve its appearance.
Once the crowns are fitted into place, they fully surround an entire visible portion of a tooth that lies above the gums.
A dental crown can be used to repair a damaged tooth or to complete a dental implant.
The crown serves as the visible part of your new "tooth."
Here in Greensboro, we've got you covered by helping you with crowns that not only protect but also improve the overall look of your teeth.
Types of Crowns
Permanent crowns can be designed and made from all metal, porcelain, all-ceramic, or all resin.
Stainless crowns, for example, are prefabricated crowns that are used temporarily on permanent teeth. These crowns tend to protect the filling while a permanent crown is made from a different material.
The all-porcelain or all-ceramic crowns are more suited to people with allergies as they provide better color matches than other types of crowns.
Additionally, all-ceramic crowns can be used for both front and back teeth.
The all-resin crowns are inexpensive, at least in comparison to other types of crowns. However, all-resin crowns are more prone to early fractures than porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns.
How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?
Dental crowns usually last between 5 and 15 years. A crown's lifespan depends on how much it is worn, how well you follow good oral hygiene practices and your own mouth-related habits.
It would help with the longevity of your crown to avoid certain oral habits such as grinding or clenching your teeth, biting on fingernails, opening packages using your teeth, chewing ice, and intaking hard edibles.
What is the Cost of Dental Crowns?
The general cost for a dental crown depends on the part of the country or region you live in and on the type of crown preferred, such as porcelain or gold.
Usually, one portion of the cost of a crown is covered by dental insurance companies. You can always check in with your insurance company before receiving treatment for more certainty on what it might cost.
Special Care
It is important to remember that just because a tooth is crowned does not mean that it does not require special care. A crowned tooth is still susceptible to breakage, tooth decay, as well as gum disease.
Therefore, make it mandatory in your daily routine to follow healthy oral hygiene practices, including flossing regularly, brushing your teeth twice a day, and rinsing your mouth thoroughly with an antibacterial mouthwash at least once a day.
If you think you need a dental crown to restore a broken, decayed, or damaged tooth, be sure to visit Phillips Prosthodontics in Greensboro or call us at 336-274-5400 for any inquiries or in regard to any other dental consultations.