Dental Crowns – Beachwood, OH

What Is a Dental Crown?

A dental crown is a custom, tooth-shaped “cap” that we place on the top portion of a tooth. (A crown covers the entire part of a tooth that protrudes above the gumline.) The purpose of a crown is to protect a tooth from damage and restore its function and strength.

A crown may be the best treatment in several situations:

• A tooth has a large spot of decay.
• A tooth has recently undergone root canal therapy.
• A tooth is severely worn down.
• There is a cracked tooth.
• A patient wishes to improve the shape and appearance of a specific tooth.

The Process of Getting a Dental Crown

To start the crown process, we prepare the tooth. Usually, this involves removing some of its enamel so it will fit well beneath its restoration. Then, we take detailed impressions of the tooth and the surrounding dentition.

The impressions are then used as the basis for creating your beautiful new crown. In our office, we use advanced CEREC CAD/CAM technology to help us design crowns that are both highly functional and aesthetically pleasing. Once the design is finalized, we send it to our in-office ceramic milling unit, which then carves the crown out of dental-grade porcelain.

The CEREC process usually takes just a few hours and can be completed in a single appointment. Other practices use traditional crown-making techniques, which require coordination with a lab and multiple dental appointments.

The Benefits of Getting a Dental Crown

A high-quality dental crown can provide numerous benefits:

• Improved dental function. You may experience a more even bite and reduced sensitivity when eating and chewing.
• Reduced need for extractions. A crown can often play a role in preserving a damaged tooth that would otherwise need to be removed.
• Beautiful aesthetics. Porcelain crowns look incredibly natural. In fact, they are almost indistinguishable from natural teeth.
• Durability. With proper care, many dental crowns last for 10 years or longer.
• Easy maintenance. Keeping a crown in good shape is not difficult. Thorough oral hygiene and other good habits are essential!

Understanding the Cost of Dental Crowns

The cost of dental crowns depends on a few different factors. When you visit us for your restorative consultation, we will be happy to provide a cost estimate for your unique case. We can also help you understand your payment options, including financing, insurance, and our convenient in-house savings plan.

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Factors that Affect the Cost of Dental Crowns 

The cost of your crown may be affected by:

• Additional care. Some patients require extensive or complex procedures before their tooth is ready to support a crown. Naturally, such treatments can increase the total cost of care.
• Dental crowns can be made out of a range of materials, including various types of metal. Here at The Center for Advanced Dentistry, we favor porcelain crowns due to their beauty and other benefits.
• The crown-making process. Most practices must coordinate with a dental laboratory to create crowns. We are different because we have advanced CEREC technology that allows us to fabricate crowns in-house. This helps to control costs.

Be very wary if you ever come across a deal for “cheap” dental crowns. Very likely, such so-called bargains will leave you disappointed. It is best to invest in top-quality care right from the beginning of your treatment journey.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Crowns?

Most dental insurance plans do cover dental crowns if they are deemed medically necessary. Very often, crowns are classified as a major procedure, so your policy might cover up to 50% of the cost of your care (up to the amount of your plan’s annual maximum). Although our practice is not in-network with any insurance plans, we will still be happy to help you figure out how your benefits apply and file claims on your behalf. 

Other Options for Making Dental Crowns Affordable

Our team does not want you to be too stressed about paying for your care, so we offer a few provisions that might make it easier to afford your crown:

• CareCredit is a third-party lender that provides no-interest and low-interest payment plans for dental services. The application process is fast and easy; we will be happy to walk you through it.
• In-house savings plan. Our in-house savings plan is easy to sign up for, and you can start using your benefits right away. It provides reduced fees for most of the services available in our office. Call us to learn more about how it works.

Are you interested in learning more about dental crowns and their cost? Book a consultation with us — we are eager to answer your questions!

Dental Crowns FAQs

A high-quality dental crown could do much to improve your oral health and boost your confidence in your smile! Before you commit to this procedure, though, it is understandable if you want to gather more information about the road ahead. Below, you will find answers to some relevant questions. If your specific questions are not included here, call our team so we can personally assist you.

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What Are Dental Crowns Made Of?

Crowns can be crafted out of various materials, including metals like gold, silver, nickel, chromium, and palladium. While metal crowns are very durable, many patients dislike the way they look. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns have a more attractive appearance, but they can develop a dark line at their base over time.

In our Beachwood practice, we favor ceramic crowns. They blend in seamlessly with the natural dentition around them, and they are durable enough to last for many years.

How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?

On average, dental crowns last for 5 – 15 years. Of course, many factors could influence the lifespan of your restoration. For example, your crown is more likely to break if you grind your teeth or use your teeth as tools to open packages. If you eat a high-sugar diet or do not properly care for your oral hygiene, the tooth beneath your crown could suffer damage, causing your restoration to fall off before its time.

Our team can provide personalized tips to help your crown stand the test of time.

How Do You Know When a Dental Crown Needs to Be Replaced?

Your crown might need to be replaced if:

• You are experiencing pain in the tooth beneath the crown.
• The crown feels loose.
• There are visible signs of damage to the crown.
• The crown is interfering with your bite.

After an examination, our team can let you know for sure whether your crown needs to be replaced.

What Is the Difference Between Traditional and Same-Day Crowns?

Traditional crowns and same-day CEREC crowns serve the same purpose: they protect damaged teeth. Both types of restorations are durable and can last for many years. They also have the potential to look very nice.

The main difference between them is how they are made.

• Traditional crowns are made in a laboratory, whereas CEREC crowns are made right here in our dental office with the help of CAD/CAM technology.
• Traditional crowns may take a few weeks to make, but CEREC crowns can usually be created in just a few hours.
• With traditional crowns, patients must wear a temporary restoration while the dental lab is working. In most cases, no temporary restorations are necessary with CEREC technology.
• CEREC crowns are always made with digital impressions, but traditional crowns may be based on old-fashioned manual impressions