If you only have a small cavity, then a tooth-colored filling is often enough to fully repair it. However, a tooth with a significant cavity might require something more. Dr. Sam Antoon often recommends a dental crown in this situation. Dental crowns in Plano, TX, are an incredibly versatile solution that can restore the structure and function of damaged or decayed teeth, all while looking 100% natural. If you have a broken or infected tooth that is making it hard to smile or eat, call our team at Antoon Family Dental today to learn more about how we make your smile as good as new with dental crowns!
Why Choose Antoon Family Dental For Dental Crowns?
- Digital X-Rays for Enhanced Imaging
- We Partner with Patients to Create Custom Treatment Plans
- In-Office Membership Plan for Uninsured Patients
What Is a Dental Crown?
You can think of a dental crown as a sort of “cap” for a tooth. While fillings only replace a small area of lost tooth enamel, crowns cover up the entire section of the tooth that is visible above the gumline. Each crown is fully personalized to meet the patient’s unique needs and blend in with the surrounding teeth. Once the dental crown process is complete, the crowned tooth should essentially look and feel just like any other tooth.
Dr. Antoon will usually recommend a dental crown for a tooth that:
- Has been decayed or weakened to the point that no other restorative solution will fix it
- Needs to be protected after undergoing root canal treatment
- Was severely injured and needs to be repaired
- Is badly stained or discolored and will not respond to teeth whitening
The Dental Crown Process
In most cases, getting a dental crown takes two appointments with your dentist in Plano. The first of these visits involves the preparation of your tooth. Dr. Antoon will either build up the tooth structure or remove a thin layer of enamel; otherwise, the restoration would look and feel unnatural. After the tooth is prepared, our team captures impressions of the tooth and sends them to a trusted dental lab.
While the lab technicians begin crafting your crown to our exact specifications, you’ll wear a temporary crown for a few weeks to protect the tooth. Once the crown is ready, you’ll return to our office. We’ll make any last-minute adjustments to ensure the crown feels great. Then, we’ll use a special cement to bond the crown to your tooth.
The Benefits of Getting a Dental Crown
By placing a dental crown, we can protect a tooth from future damage that would otherwise require it to be extracted. There are all sorts of problems that can arise from missing a tooth – including the cost of replacing it – so it’s in your best interest to retain the tooth for as long as possible.
Fortunately, that’s pretty easy with dental crowns. As long as you take good care of your crown, it can last up to 10 or 15 years. Thanks to the durable yet lifelike materials we use, our dental crowns in Plano have a remarkably high success rate.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Crowns
While you may want dental crowns, you may worry about their price. Fair enough – these dental caps can’t help if they exceed your budget. Truthfully, though, the cost of dental crowns varies from patient to patient. That means you’ll need to consult Dr. Antoon for an exact estimate. Once you have, though, we’ll work to make your care affordable. Our team will even walk you through crown price factors and payment options. If you’d like to learn more, just keep reading for the relevant details.
Dental Crown FAQs
A crown covers the entire surface of a tooth above the gumline. When envisioning the restoration, you may picture a silver cap covering a tooth. Although crowns were typically made of metal, modern restorations are made of porcelain to look like real teeth. Your dentist will craft your crown to match the appearance of your real teeth to blend in seamlessly. No one will be able to tell it’s not a natural part of your smile.
While modern crowns are metal-free, they are equally durable. The average lifespan of a crown is about 10 years; however, it’s not unusual for them to last for decades with the proper maintenance. You can ensure your crown lasts for years by brushing, flossing, and using a daily mouth rinse. Your dentist will recommend avoiding hard, sticky, or chewy foods. It’s also important to protect your crown from damage by not using your teeth as tools and keeping inedible objects out of your mouth. Don’t forget to visit your dentist at least twice a year for a cleaning and checkup.
There’s no flat fee for a dental crown because multiple factors affect their cost, such as preparatory treatments, the size of your tooth, and the materials used. After examining your mouth and designing a customized treatment, we’ll provide you with an estimate and explain the fees associated with your plan. We strive to keep the procedure within everyone’s budget, which is why we accept various payment methods, like third-party financing. You can pay for your restoration in monthly installments based on your credit approval.
Generally, crowns are covered under dental insurance plans; however, there can be situations where they aren’t. A crown offers both restorative and cosmetic benefits. If the restoration is only needed for elective reasons, such as to hide dark discoloration, your insurance may not cover the cost. If the crown is deemed necessary for your oral health, you can use your annual allowance to offset the cost. Although every policy differs, your coverage can pay up to 80% of the cost after reaching your deductible. We know dental insurance is confusing, but we are here to help. A member of our team will work on your behalf with your dental insurance by filing the required claim forms, so you have one less thing to worry about. They’ll explain how your coverage is being used for your treatment, and if there’s any out-of-pocket expense.