Dental Crowns – Rochester, MN
Customized Restorations Designed to Protect Your Smile
If you’ve suffered extensive tooth decay or damage, a dental crown provides an excellent solution. Zirconia and porcelain crowns are sturdy, long-lasting, and look just like your natural teeth. Have questions about dental crowns? If you’re wondering what a crown is or how long it lasts, we’ve got answers. Learn more about our dental crowns in Rochester from Dr. Brong below or give us a call today.
Why Choose Zumbro Family Dental for Dental Crowns?
- Advanced Dental Technology Used In-House
- Convenient Appointments Available
- Trusted Dental Team with Years of Experience
What is a Dental Crown?
The dental crown is a tooth-shaped covering. Also called a cap, it fits directly over an affected tooth, or it takes the place of a missing tooth. Dental crowns can be made from porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, zirconia, gold, or other metal alloys. Zumbro Family Dental prefers dental crowns made of porcelain or zirconia for their aesthetics and strength.
A dental crown may be used to correct many dental issues, including…
- Restoring significant tooth decay
- Holding together parts of a broken tooth
- Strengthening a weak or worn tooth
- As the final step in a root canal
- Tooth replacement
A porcelain or zirconia crown also makes cosmetic improvements to a tooth that is weak, worn, or otherwise flawed. It’s a perfect solution for damaged front teeth, which are restored without marring the appearance of the smile.
The Dental Crown Process
Receiving a dental crown typically requires two appointments. The first involves taking digital X-rays of your smile so that we can visualize the tooth and surrounding bone. After determining that a crown is the appropriate course of action, we will begin to treat the tooth, removing any decayed or damaged tissues before filing it down so that there is ample space for the crown once it is put into place.
When finished, we will take an impression of your tooth so that it can be sent to lab technicians who will begin to build your restoration. This typically takes about two weeks to complete, so in the meantime, you will need to wear a temporary crown. This will protect your tooth between appointments so that it does not become further damaged or reinfected.
Once the permanent crown is ready for placement, we will have you come back to our office. We will remove the temporary crown and replace it with the finalized version, which will be bonded over the natural tooth.
The Benefits of Getting a Dental Crown
Although learning that you need a crown may not be something you set out to receive, there are many great advantages to this type of procedure, such as:
- Greater strength and protection for an otherwise vulnerable and unstable tooth.
- The ability to keep your natural tooth in place instead of resorting to tooth extraction and eventual replacement.
- A restoration that can last a decade or longer with proper care.
- A more beautiful appearance thanks to the materials used that blend in with your smile.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Crowns
After learning that you need a dental crown to better protect your smile, the next step is determining how much this method of restorative care will cost. Being mindful of your budget is important, but it’s also essential that you remember your oral health is a priceless component of your overall well-being. Failing to move forward with treatment for fear of the price will only lead to costlier care down the road. This is why our team is here to help you through the financial process to determine how best we can help you save.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Dental Crowns
There are several factors our team will look at when preparing your treatment plan and cost estimate, which include:
- The level of damage caused to your tooth
- Whether you will need additional dental care in the form of a root canal or dental implant to replace a missing tooth
- The material used to create your dental crown, which will likely be zirconia or porcelain
While there are cheaper materials on the market, it’s important to remember that less expensive is not always a better option. Your restoration needs to look and feel good once it is in place, and oftentimes, cheaper solutions can lack these aspects.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Crowns?
Dental insurance companies, for the most part, offer coverage for dental crowns. Once you meet your deductible, they will pay their portion of the total cost. This can be anywhere from 50-80% depending on the plan and company. The good news is that since it is a medically necessary form of treatment, you will pay less, allowing you to keep more money in the bank.
Other Options for Making Dental Crowns Affordable
An alternative way to pay for dental crowns in Rochester is to apply for flexible financing through CareCredit. This is a suitable option if you are without private dental insurance, as they offer low-to-no interest plans that make it easy to pay off your service over time. There are no surprise fees, so you can rest easy knowing that your smile is better protected, and you can avoid going over your budget.
Dental Crown FAQs
Are Dental Crowns Permanent?
While dental crowns are not technically permanent, they are designed to be durable and long-lasting. If it receives proper care and maintenance, a dental crown can protect your tooth for anywhere from five to fifteen years, but the procedure that places the restoration is irreversible, meaning that the tooth will have to wear one for protection from then on. This can prevent further infection and damage so a compromised tooth can last for much longer than it would have otherwise, and you can help your appliance last longer by practicing excellent oral hygiene, coming to our Rochester office regularly for exams and cleanings, and wearing a mouthguard if you play sports or grind your teeth at night.
How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?
Dental crowns last for about five to fifteen years on average, but this can vary significantly based on the material the appliance was made from. While metal crowns may last longer than metal-free ones, this is not always true, and the difference may be negligible. The most important determinants of how long a crown can last are the patient’s diet, their oral hygiene regimen, and bad habits like smoking, teeth grinding, chewing ice, or nail-biting. Crowns on the front teeth usually experience less wear and tear than those placed on the molars, so they may last longer.
How Do You Know When a Dental Crown Needs to Be Replaced?
While the only sure way to know if your crown needs to be replaced is to have it examined by Dr. Brong, you may notice a few signs that your restoration is getting old. These include:
- Pain: If the tooth wearing a crown has become decayed, the appliance will need to be removed so the infection can be treated. While the crown may be able to be reseated in some cases, it will have to be replaced altogether in others.
- Instability: A functional dental crown should sit securely upon its tooth. If you notice that your crown is wiggling, especially when chewing something sticky, contact Dr. Brong.
- Degraded appearance: An unsightly dental crown can take its toll on your confidence. If you aren’t pleased with how your restoration is looking, Dr. Brong can help.
- A dark line around the base: Some crowns consist of a metal base for stability and a porcelain shell for appearance. If one of these crowns is wearing out, it may begin to show a thin dark line around its base.
Are Dental Crowns Safe?
Dental crowns that are placed by a qualified dentist should be completely safe. Dental crowns do not contain mercury, and tooth-colored restorations contain no harmful chemicals, meaning that there is no significant risk of toxicity. Metal-free crowns also greatly reduce the possibility of allergic reaction, but some patients may have negative reactions to dental porcelain in extremely rare cases. If you experience any swelling, redness, or swelling near the treated tooth after receiving a dental crown, contact Dr. Brong right away.
