Dental Crowns – Virginia Beach, VA
A Way To Beautifully Restore Damaged Teeth
At Smile By Design of Virginia Beach, Dr. Santos and Dr. Folck always recommend the most conservative treatment possible to repair damaged teeth. If you have a small cavity or fracture, we can usually use a simple dental filling to restore your tooth. But there are situations when the damage is more severe and there isn’t enough original tooth structure left to support a filling. This is when we recommend dental crowns in Virginia Beach.
What Is a Dental Crown?
Sometimes called a “cap,” a dental crown is a type of dental restoration that completely covers the crown of a tooth. It’s matched in size, shape, and color to the rest of your teeth so that it looks very natural, and is cemented into place to fit snugly over your existing tooth.
Crowns can be made of various materials, including ceramic, porcelain, gold, or other metals. We’ll discuss your cosmetic goals, the location of the tooth, and other factors before recommending a material.
What Is the Procedure Like?
We’ll schedule two appointments for your dental crown procedure. Here’s what you can expect:
- First, we’ll make sure you’re fully numb and comfortable before removing any damaged tooth structure. Then we’ll prepare your tooth for the crown by reducing its size (this prevents the crown from feeling too large or bulky).
- Next, we’ll take impressions to send to a special dental lab so they can custom-make your crown to our exact specifications.
- Then we’ll put a temporary crown on your tooth that will look and function normally while you’re waiting on the permanent crown to be made, which typically takes about 2 weeks.
- Finally , you’ll return for a second visit to have the new crown cemented into place and make any necessary adjustments to make sure it looks and feels great.
What Are the Benefits of Dental Crowns?
As a dentist in Virginia Beach with your long-term oral health in mind, we always recommend saving your natural teeth whenever possible. One of the biggest benefits of a dental crown is that it saves a damaged tooth that might otherwise need to be extracted.
Crowns are very strong, so you can continue using a tooth that’s been damaged or weakened for many years to come. In addition to providing strength and function, a crown will also look great and restore the appearance of your smile as well.
How Can You Maintain a Dental Crown?
With proper care, dental crowns can last 15-20 years. First, we always recommend regular checkups and cleanings so we can keep an eye on all of your dental work and catch any potential problems early. Your crown itself can’t get a cavity, but there’s a strip of exposed enamel where the crown and tooth meet that can. By maintaining good oral hygiene habits, you’ll keep your natural teeth healthier and also extend the life of your dental work.
If you clench and grind at night, we recommend a nightguard to protect your crown from chips and fractures. In addition, it’s a good idea to avoid chewing or biting on anything hard, such as ice, pens, or hard candy.
Dental crowns are a wonderful investment in your oral health. If you have any questions or think you may have damaged teeth that could benefit from dental crowns, give us a call today!
Understanding the Cost of Dental Crowns
If you’ve been informed that you’re going to need a dental crown to restore one of your teeth, you might have doubts—not about the restoration itself, but rather, the potential cost of care. However, there’s no reason to fret; our team will make sure that you understand the cost factors that determine the price of your crown, as well as how to make the treatment easier on your wallet. Once a thorough price estimate has been created, you’ll be able to review it before moving forward with care. In the meantime, here’s a brief overview of what you can expect in terms of cost.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Dental Crowns
When it comes to figuring out how much you’ll pay for your dental crown in Virginia Beach, our team will need to review a few factors. However, we’ll be sure to keep you in the loop so you know exactly what the cost breakdown of your new dental crown is. The factors we’ll be reviewing include:
- The severity of the damage or decay to the tooth and the need for preliminary treatments, such as a root canal or a dental implant.
- The type of material that’s being used to craft your crown. Our office creates crowns using materials like ceramic, porcelain, gold, and other metals.
- Whether the crown is being produced in-house or at an off-site lab by technicians.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Crowns?
The good news is that, yes, in many cases, dental insurance plans are likely to offer coverage for dental crowns—it’s possible for this amount to be up to 50% of the total in some cases, as dental crowns are often deemed medically necessary and beneficial for a patient’s oral health. However, in any case, it’s wise to familiarize yourself with the details of your plan before committing to treatment. Our team is happy to review the fine print of your plan with you to ensure that you’re making the most of your benefits and saving wherever possible.
Options for Making Dental Crowns Affordable
If you don’t have dental insurance, don’t worry—the cost of your dental crown can still be made more affordable. Our practice is proud to offer financing through Cherry and CareCredit, two third-party financers who offer low-to-no interest payment plans with flexible windows to qualifying patients. Signing up is easy, and our knowledgeable team is happy to help you with the process or answer any initial questions you have.
Dental Crown FAQs
Our team uses crowns to help patients enjoy healthier, more attractive smiles. If you believe you need one, you are more than welcome to visit us for a restorative consultation. In the meantime, you might want to know more about this treatment. Below, you will find answers to some frequently asked questions about dental crowns in Virginia Beach. If you would like further information about anything you discover here, feel free to give us a call.
What Are Dental Crowns Made Of?
Dental crowns can be made out of various materials. In the past, they were primarily constructed out of metals, such as nickel, chromium, silver, and even gold. While metal crowns are quite durable, and they remain a suitable option in many cases, our practice has upgraded to more aesthetically pleasing materials. We typically use porcelain or ceramic, materials that closely imitate the look and feel of natural tooth enamel. Plus, because they are metal-free, they are an excellent choice for patients with allergies or those who are concerned about metal absorption.
Are Dental Crowns Permanent?
Dental crowns are a long-term solution to issues like broken teeth, worn-down teeth, and more. They are often referred to as a permanent treatment. However, they do not actually last forever. Depending on how you care for your restoration, it may last for 5 – 15 years or longer. You can help it stand the test of time by keeping up with oral hygiene, visiting your dentist in Virginia Beach for routine cleanings and checkups, and avoiding activities that might break your crown (such as biting on hard objects).
Also, bear in mind that while crowns are not technically permanent, they are irreversible. The tooth modification that takes place during the treatment process necessitates that the tooth will always need a restoration to protect it.
How Do You Know When a Dental Crown Needs to Be Replaced?
Some warning signs that a crown may need to be replaced include:
- Pain
- Instability
- Noticeable damage to the crown
- A dark line at the crown’s base
If you believe your crown is nearing the end of its lifespan, visit us. We will examine your mouth and recommend your next steps.
Does It Hurt to Get a Dental Crown?
The most invasive part of the crown process is when the tooth is being modified to fit beneath the restoration. We always numb patients’ mouths during this stage of treatment, so you can expect to feel little to nothing. We also offer sedation for patients who are particularly nervous or sensitive. After the procedure, you may experience some soreness and sensitivity, but that typically wears off within a few days.
When your temporary crown is removed and your permanent one is placed, you may feel some pressure in your mouth. However, the process is usually quick, and we often do not even need to use local anesthesia for it.
What Can I Eat with a Temporary Crown?
During the week or two that you have your temporary crown, you should avoid crunchy and sticky foods entirely, including caramel-filled candies, raw almonds, and hard pretzels. It’s also a good idea to limit your intake of ice cream, cookies, and other sugary sweets. Instead, stick to mostly soft, nutrient-dense foods, like bananas, plain yogurt, cottage cheese, oatmeal, and steamed carrots.
How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?
Dental crowns in Virginia Beach often last between 5 and 15 years. The best way to prolong the lifespan of yours is by committing to healthy habits, like brushing your teeth for two full minutes each morning and evening. It’s also important to visit our team at Smile by Design VA every six months. That way, we can periodically examine the condition of your restoration and, when the time comes, have it replaced.
Do Dental Crowns Get Cavities?
Since dental crowns are crafted from materials like porcelain, they cannot decay. However, that doesn’t mean you can stop brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash. After all, the underlying tooth and the surrounding teeth can still decay. Plus, if neglected, an infection can develop in your gums. So, if you want to prolong the lifespan of your restoration, keep your breath minty-fresh, and maintain a beautiful smile, it’s crucial that you continue to commit to a solid oral hygiene regimen.
Is It a Dental Emergency If Your Crown Falls Off?
If your dental crown falls out at night or while you’re out of town, don’t worry – this often doesn’t require an urgent visit. With that said, you should still call us as soon as you can. After all, your tooth is vulnerable to harm without the restoration securely in place.
Do Dental Crowns Feel Natural?
They do! There are a few reasons we can say this with confidence, starting with the fact that they are crafted from extremely lifelike materials, like dental porcelain. The size, shape, and shade of each one is also custom-made with your unique dental needs and aesthetic goals in mind. That way, it doesn’t feel bulky or draw unwanted attention to your smile. With enough time, you may even forget which one of your teeth is covered with a dental crown!
Can Dental Crowns Be Whitened?
No, dental crowns cannot be whitened. The good news is that they are crafted from stain-resistant materials, so you don’t have to worry about discoloration quickly surfacing. In fact, if you incorporate healthy habits into your routine and break bad ones, like smoking, your restoration should maintain its color year after year!
Important note: If there does come a time when you are no longer happy with the appearance of your dental crown, don’t hesitate to let us know. Once we know more about your aesthetic concerns and goals, we can discuss your treatment options and help you determine the best way to proceed.