Dental Crowns – Arlington, TX
Protecting & Enhancing Damaged Teeth
Often, a filling is all we need to repair a small crack or new cavity, but for a patient dealing with a broken tooth or severe decay, dental crowns in Arlington are to the rescue. This treatment is able to accomplish many positive things at once—protect a compromised tooth, restore its strength, save a patient from an extraction, and bring back someone’s full smile. We Smile Dental of Arlington is also proud to use high-quality natural-looking crowns so that only you and Dr. Atluri will be able to tell which tooth has been repaired.
Why Choose We Smile Dental of Arlington For Dental Crowns?
- All-Porcelain Crowns That Blend with Natural Teeth
- Mess-Free, Precise Digital Impression System
- In-Network with Many Leading Dental Insurance Providers
What Is a Dental Crown?
On its own, a dental crown just looks like a hollowed-out tooth, but it’s actually a restoration that is fitted directly over enamel that is too weak to support itself either due to physical trauma or infection. They’re typically recommended for people with larger cavities, big cracks or breaks, or if they have an old filling that is starting to fail.
The Process of Getting a Dental Crown
While every crown we provide is 100% custom-made for each patient and each tooth, the process follows a few basic steps:
- Firstly, we examine the tooth and take X-rays to make sure that a crown is absolutely necessary. If it’s possible to fix your problem with another procedure, we’ll let you know so you can choose what works for you!
- If you and Dr. Atluri decide that getting a crown is the best way to go, she’ll start by numbing the tooth and removing the enamel that cannot be preserved.
- A digital impression will be taken of the prepared tooth. This will be sent to a dental lab so they can design and fabricate your final restoration.
- While the lab is working its magic, you’ll be fitted with a temporary crown.
- A week or so later, you’ll return to our office so we can remove your temporary crown and cement your real one in place.
Benefits of Getting a Dental Crown
- Stops dental pain and helps with sensitivity
- Makes it easier to chew and eat your favorite foods
- Halts an active cavity or growing crack that can spell big trouble in the future
- Prevents you from needing to have the tooth extracted and replaced (which is more expensive and time-consuming compared to getting a crown)
- Able to align the bite to relieve persistent jaw pain or popping and clicking
- Can enhance the appearance of a tooth to create an overall more attractive smile
- Able to last 10-20 years with just daily brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups
Understanding the Cost of Dental Crowns
You’re not alone if you feel unsure about the cost of dental crowns. After learning that you need one to better protect your smile, the first thought that is likely to enter your mind is how much it will cost. Will dental insurance help to cover part of the expenses? Will you be required to pay the total amount out of pocket? Dr. Atluri and our team are here to explain how various factors can affect the cost of your dental crown and why no two cases are the same.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Dental Crowns
The severity of your decay or damage, the materials used to create your crown, and how your restoration will be created are all factors that Dr. Atluri will consider when creating an estimate for your treatment.
During your consultation, we will analyze your tooth using digital imaging and a visual examination. Not only will this give us a clear idea as to the severity of the problem, but it will also help us to formulate a personalized treatment plan that is designed to meet your needs.
Should you require root canal therapy to address a serious infection or a dental implant to replace a missing tooth, you will undergo these treatments first before receiving a customized crown. Our restorations are commonly made from porcelain so that they look natural and blend in nicely with your existing smile.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Crowns?
Receiving a dental crown doesn’t mean you have to empty your bank account. Instead, if you have private dental insurance, use it. Maximizing your benefits includes filing a claim that will, in many cases, have your insurance company paying anywhere from 50-80% of the total cost. Depending on how they categorize this type of restorative care, there is a good chance you will pay less out of pocket for your new, artificial tooth.
Other Options for Making Dental Crowns Affordable
If you do not have a private dental insurance plan, Dr. Atluri is pleased to provide alternative payment options such as our in-house membership plan and flexible financing through CareCredit or Sunbit.
Our in-house membership plan is unique. You can enroll in a single, dual, or family plan and pay one annual fee. In return, you will receive preventive care at no cost (i.e., two dental cleanings, exams, X-rays, oral cancer screening, etc.) as well as significant discounts on various services.
With CareCredit or Sunbit, you can opt to enroll in a flexible financing plan that offers low-to-no-interest and no surprise fees, so you can pay off the total amount over several months.
Dental Crowns FAQs
What Are Dental Crowns Made Of?
If you have an overly decayed or damaged tooth or recently underwent a root canal, there’s a good chance that Dr. Atluri will recommend restoring your smile with a dental crown. These tooth-shaped caps are cemented over injured teeth to improve their appearance and allow you to continue using them to eat and speak normally.
Although they can also be made from metal amalgam or composite resin, our team at We Smile Dental of Arlington makes them out of resilient porcelain that reflects light like enamel. This material can be customized to match the shape, shade, and size of your natural teeth, and is non-porous, making it more resistant to damage and discoloration than your enamel.
Are Dental Crowns Removable?
Many patients wonder whether dental crowns are like dentures and can be easily inserted and removed. However, these restorations are not intended to be taken off once they’re cemented in place, except by a professional.
Technically, these teeth aren’t considered “permanent” because they can wear down over time and might need to be replaced eventually. That said, we must remove a small amount of enamel for them to fit over your injured tooth, meaning it also involves making irreversible changes to your teeth, so it’s considered a long-term solution.
How Long Do Dental Crowns Usually Last?
The durable ceramic material comprising your dental crown can last anywhere from 5 to 15 or more years, though it depends significantly on your unique circumstances. Some factors that can impact their longevity include:
- Their location. Caps covering molars tend to wear down or break faster because of the added force from daily chewing.
- Your oral hygiene habits. Your crowns can’t decay, but the teeth they’re cemented to can. You must brush and floss twice daily to prevent cavities and gum disease that could cause your restoration to fail.
- Your dietary decisions. Eating overly hard, crunchy, or sticky foods could chip, crack, push, or pull your new tooth out of place and should be avoided.
How Do I Know if I Need a New Dental Crown?
Paying attention to your oral condition ensures that you’ll notice minor changes that point to a more serious underlying issue. For example, the following symptoms serve as indicators that let you know it’s time to consider replacing your dental crown:
- Feeling a sharp sensation or noticing severe or prolonged pain in the tooth under your dental crown can point to a cavity or gum disease. Contact our office so we can examine the situation and alleviate your aches.
- If the cement holding your prosthetic in place is damaged or eroded, you could break or lose it altogether. If it’s still in good condition, we might be able to bond it back over your injured tooth without a replacement.
- Visibly worn. Replacing a chipped, cracked, stained, or broken restoration that detracts from your appearance can boost your confidence and improve your daily quality of life.
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