The most incredible option right now for restoring the appearance and functionality of your damaged tooth is a dental crown. Dental crowns are teeth-shaped caps that strengthen a tooth that has been broken or has significantly decayed while enhancing your smile. Dental crowns are long-lasting restorative procedures that you will wear in your mouth for a very long time. Therefore, you must make informed decisions and hire skilled dentists to prepare them.

It is advisable to weigh the pros and disadvantages of the numerous dental crown options and the associated costs before making a final decision. Avoid making the error of hurrying through decision-making, as you can have regrets for a long time.

You should ask yourself two questions when your dentist tells you that you need a dental crown: which kind is best for me, and how much will it cost? Speak to a skilled advanced dentist for further information and advice on selecting the ideal dental crown for your requirements.

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Dental Crown

Damaged teeth become unattractive and unusable. That could impact how you chew, smile, or speak. They could also affect your sense of self. Broken teeth are restored to appear, feel, and function again with the aid of restorative dentistry. After the restoration, you can comfortably eat, speak, and smile again. Restorative dentistry keeps your teeth in proper alignment to prevent a bad bite and all of its issues, like strained and uncomfortable jaws.

One of the various options available in restorative dentistry is dental crowns. It is advisable for use by people with damaged teeth. Your teeth alter in shape, feel, and strength when one or more of them are broken or decayed. Dentists use crowns and caps to cover broken teeth and restore their strength, feel, and shape. Crowns shield, protect, and reconstruct the shape of the broken tooth, making your mouth complete again.

However, several factors to consider before choosing dental crowns are there. They will help you make the right decision you will live with for a long time. Remember that you will have to live with dental crowns for a long while after their installation. Therefore, to avoid unfortunate errors, you must choose correctly.

Do I Need a Dental Crown?

When the dentist suggests dental crowns, this is the first thing you need to consider. Remember that you can receive several additional dental restoration procedures if you have a broken tooth. Dental fillings, inlays, and onlays are a few examples. However, the basis of your decision will be your current needs and desired outcomes.

It is advisable first to confirm that you require dental crowns before delving into the specifics of what they are and your options. When you initially go to the dentist with a broken tooth, they thoroughly evaluate you and offer numerous recommendations for possible treatments. Your dentist could suggest a dental crown for the following reasons:

  • If you have weak teeth because of an injury, cavity, or extensive decay
  • If you require to cover a dental implant
  • If you want to cover a more extensive filling
  • When a tooth is chipped, broken, or otherwise injured, and you want to preserve as much of the original tooth as you can
  • If you have already had a root canal on the damaged tooth, especially if the tooth is at the back of your mouth,
  • If you have a tooth injury, you want to straighten your bite.

A dental crown could enhance your smile by improving the color, size, and shape of a damaged tooth, giving you a more attractive appearance and feel.

What is Involved in Receiving a Dental Crown

Understanding the procedure you will go through to obtain a dental crown is helpful once you are sure you need one. To ensure you comprehend the process and prepare you for what to anticipate along the way, the dentist will go through these specifics with you.

Depending on your specific requirements, the procedure for receiving a dental crown varies from person to person. For example, people who pick customized dental crowns could make multiple trips to the dentist before they are satisfied with the installation. Customized dental crowns, let alone standard ones, cannot be created by your dentist in a single visit. It takes two or more dental visits.

The procedure you will go through will also depend on the dental crowns you select. The standard process is as follows for everyone who wants dental crowns:

  • The dentist will examine your teeth at your initial visit and decide which restorative dental procedure is ideal for you.
  • Your second visit will involve prepping the injured tooth or teeth for implantation if you have decided to have dental crowns. A tooth could have a root canal, require the removal of dental decay, or both.
  • The dentist will then take a mold to ensure the crown perfectly fits the broken tooth's precise kind and shape.
  • Before your crown is ready, you could have a temporary crown. This temporary repair will safeguard your prepared tooth until your restoration is ready. Your dentists will provide care instructions for your temporary restoration to prevent cracking. Consider avoiding foods that are sticky or hard during that time.
  • In approximately a week, your dental crown could be ready. As a result, you will return to your dentist's office for the installation.

Your Dental Crown Options and How to Choose the Best

To assist you in making an informed choice, the dentist will walk you through the various dental crown varieties and their costs. All dental crown varieties aim to repair the injured tooth's appearance, shape, and usefulness. Considering the differences between these dental crowns and how to obtain the most out of your installation is advisable. The primary varieties of dental crowns available in restorative dentistry nowadays are as follows:

The Gold Crowns

Gold dental crowns are made from metals like chromium and nickel with copper. Many individuals prefer them since they are powerful and long-lasting. A dental crown made from a strong material will perform like a normal tooth and be durable enough to last many years.

The best crowns to use for back dental restorations are gold ones. Your dentist could suggest a gold crown as the best solution if the injured tooth is in the back. However, colored crowns made of gold are still uncommon nowadays. With the advent of dental crowns that mimic natural teeth in appearance and function, their popularity is gradually dwindling. You can always choose to have a gold dental crown, though, if the color and look of gold appeal to you.

These are its benefits:

  • Dental crowns of gold are highly durable and robust and can survive for many years with proper maintenance.
  • The dentist will not have to remove a lot of the afflicted natural tooth during placement.
  • Like the enamel of real teeth, gold dental crowns have a moderate rate of deterioration.
  • They do a great job with restorations on the back teeth, mainly the second molars.

You should be aware of a few drawbacks to gold dental crowns, like:

  • They are not particularly attractive — Gold crowns are well-colored and do not resemble a natural tooth. You can think about other options if this is a concern for you.
  • Some people could experience allergic reactions or swelling after receiving dental crowns of gold alloys.

All Porcelain Dental Crowns

Dental crowns made of porcelain are becoming more and more popular. They restore a damaged tooth's original form, function, and appearance. Even after having a dental restoration operation, people want to feel and look the same. You receive a dental crown made entirely of porcelain for this reason. Some of its benefits are as follows:

  • Dental crowns made of ceramic or porcelain have the best appearance and feel since they mimic the color of your natural teeth. They can be made to have the same size, color, and shape as the neighboring teeth.
  • For repairing broken front teeth, all-porcelain dental crowns work best because they are virtually undetectable once the procedure is complete.
  • The fact that no metal is employed makes them biocompatible. Therefore, they lack poisons that can result in hives or allergic responses.

However, they offer a few drawbacks you should consider before deciding:

  • All-porcelain dental crowns are less enduring and storable than gold dental crowns. These metal crowns will only last a few years, but they could survive even longer with the proper maintenance.
  • If you have bruxism, they will not be your most fantastic option (a condition where you continually grind, clench, or gnash your teeth). That would seriously damage your crowns. If you have the condition, you could choose gold dental crowns or porcelain-fused metal dental crowns.
  • Dental crowns made entirely of porcelain are more expensive than metal ones.

Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Dental Crowns (PFM Crowns)

PFM dental crowns are also highly well-liked for several reasons. Their metal construction makes them sturdy, and the porcelain coating, which covers the top, makes them attractive. As a result, they are possibilities for dental crowns that offer beauty and strength while restoring the appearance, feel, and functionality of your injured original tooth. Please consider the following benefits of PFM dental crowns:

  • You can enjoy a natural look and feel for years following their installation because they are long lasting and aesthetically pleasing.
  • Given that they have been in use for more than 50 years, you can be sure that they function well.
  • Compared to other options, they are cheaper than gold and porcelain dental crowns.

However, there are drawbacks as well, which include:

  • Unlike all-porcelain dental crowns, PFMs do not provide the same 100% aesthetic appearance and natural feel. The mental component of these dental crowns can gray along the gumline where the restoration was done, impacting your appearance, smile, and self-esteem.
  • Additionally, they are not recommended for bruxism sufferers. You will quickly damage your PFM dental crowns if you consistently grind, clench, or gnash your teeth. Consequently, you will wind up having to pay extra for replacements.

Zirconia Dental Crowns

In terms of restorative dentistry, these are relatively new. They are made of zirconium, which is a very recent material. However, it would be best to consider several benefits when selecting a dental crown for your injured tooth. Zirconium is an aesthetically pleasing and durable substance that offers your new restoration the durability you want to enjoy for many years. Zirconium dental crowns come in primarily two varieties: layered zirconia dental crowns and translucent zirconia dental crowns. Some of its benefits are as follows:

  • Their excellent aesthetics boost your smile and confidence, which gives you the exact look you desire.
  • They have a lower chance of cracking or chipping because they are robust and long-lasting.
  • They are the most incredible option if you need to rebuild your broken teeth quickly since they are simple and quick to prepare. Your dentist can cut and shape the zirconia in the same office without shipping the material to a lab.
  • Due to the strength of zirconia dental crowns, you do not need to be concerned about them deteriorating a few months or years after installation.
  • Since they are dental crowns without metal, they are also biocompatible. They will almost certainly not result in hives and allergic reactions.

These are their drawbacks:

  • Zirconia dental crowns' strength can lead your teeth to grind forcefully against one another, quickly wearing down your natural teeth.
  • Solid zirconia is challenging to work with if you need to make alterations to your dental crowns.

The E-Max Dental Crowns

Dental crowns made of lithium disilicate are another name for E-max dental crowns. The most recent innovation in restorative dentistry is the E-max dental crown. They are all-ceramic dental crowns made of light and thin material, lithium disilicate. E-max dental crowns have several benefits, like:

  • They look fantastic, enhance your smile, and give you more confidence because of their excellent aesthetics.
  • They are incredibly durable and robust.
  • They are perfect for back and front dental restorations.

However, they are rather pricey and could cost your dentist extra money, mainly if they refuse to pass the expense on to you. The use of E-max dental crowns for the rear teeth has also been criticized by some dentists, mostly when multiple teeth are being restored at once.

The Cost of Dental Crowns

Knowing the price is helpful after you are familiar with the different dental crown types offered in the market and already know what you want. To ultimately make the best choice, it is advisable to examine the prices of the various kinds of dental crowns. Among other things to consider, like durability and aesthetics, is exploring the price.

A dental crown's price primarily depends on the material and preparation used to make the crown. For example, metal dental crowns are less expensive than all-porcelain dental crowns because they require less preparation, and the material is less costly. The total price could also cover any preliminary work you need before the installation, like a core buildup your dentist could recommend to reinforce and protect the damaged tooth before placing a crown.

In some situations, your dentist could need to conduct a gingivectomy or other minor gum surgery to improve your appearance or ensure a successful installation. The total expense to you would go up as a result. Your overall cost will increase if you require a root canal before the treatment.

It is beneficial to go through these expenses and develop a payment plan. It will relieve your stress and can promote faster recovery. Some insurance providers pay for restorative dental procedures. In that situation, your expenses will be limited to dental bills and any other procedures you need to finish the treatment. The total price could typically reach $2,000 or above.

All-porcelain dental crowns can cost up to $3,000, while gold dental crowns can cost up to $2,500. Dental crowns made of zirconia and E-max are nearly as expensive as crowns made of all-porcelain. The PFM dental crowns, with a potential price tag of $1,500, are the most economical of the five options. But remember that you can not base your choice entirely on the price. To prevent a poor decision, consider all the other aspects, benefits, and drawbacks.

Find a La Puente Dentist Near Me

Damaged teeth could impact your ability to speak, eat, chew, and smile. Broken teeth could also undermine your confidence if they affect your smile. Therefore, if you want to improve your damaged teeth' appearance, feel, and functionality, you should consider restorative dentistry. Dental crowns are a great option if you need a long-lasting solution. But, you must pick suitable dental crowns for your situation. At La Puente Advanced Dentistry, we provide knowledge, counsel, and assistance to ensure you are pleased and satisfied with the outcomes. To learn more about dental crowns and their price in La Puente, call us at 626-626-7075. Our experienced and competent advanced dentists will be more than happy to walk you through the entire procedure.