Dental Crowns – Lacey, WA
Restore Your Weakened & Broken Teeth
Did you know that your teeth are harder than your bones? Unfortunately, there are still plenty of reasons why you may find yourself with weakened, decayed, or cracked teeth over the years. What’s more, enamel can’t heal itself once it’s been injured! Leaving a damaged tooth untreated can put you at a higher risk of all manner of oral health issues. Fortunately, we can help restore your weakened and broken teeth with beautiful, custom-made dental crowns in Lacey! These reliable restorations can help your pearly whites look and feel their best for many years to come. Give us a call today to see if a dental crown is right for you!
Why Choose Peterson & Cammack Family & Cosmetic Dentistry For Dental Crowns?
- #1 CEREC Same-Day Dental Crowns Available
- #2 We Proudly Accept Dental Insurance
- #3 Convenient Scheduling for Entire Families Available
What Is a Dental Crown?
Essentially, a dental crown is a cap that fits over your tooth. It’s carefully designed from high-quality materials to look just like your natural pearly whites, so once it’s in place, it should blend in seamlessly. The crown encapsulates the entire visible portion of a tooth, holding it together and restoring its function. Additionally, it provides extensive protection from future damage or decay. Dental crowns are often recommended for patients who have:
- Teeth with very large fillings or cavities
- Cracked, broken, or worn-down teeth
- Naturally small or misshapen teeth
- Teeth that have been repaired with a root canal
- Teeth that are missing and being replaced with a dental implant
The Process of Getting a Dental Crown
In most cases, it only takes two appointments to get a dental crown. First, we’ll remove some enamel from the tooth. Not only will this make sure there is enough room for the dental crown, it will provide a better surface for it to bond to. Next, we’ll take impressions and fit you with a temporary dental crown. You’ll wear your temporary crown for about a week or two while the impressions are used to craft your permanent restoration. Then, you’ll return to our office to have your permanent crown cemented in place.
In some cases, a patient may be a candidate for a CEREC same-day dental crown. With this option, the permanent dental crown is created right here at our practice with our in-house milling machine in just about an hour or so. As their name suggests, you’ll be able to get your permanent crown the same day you visit us for your initial appointment!
Benefits of Getting a Dental Crown
Dental crowns offer a bevy of important benefits, such as:
- Prevent future damage and infection, as well as the treatments needed to address them.
- No more discomfort, pain, or sensitivity while eating or talking.
- Helping you avoid a root canal or tooth extraction for the injured tooth in the future.
- Enjoy beautiful, lifelike results that look just like a natural tooth.
- Durable construction from high quality materials that can last for many years.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Crowns
Your oral health is important, but so is making sure that the treatments you receive are affordable. Our team will help make sure that you’re fully informed about every aspect of paying for your dental crown. That includes the various factors that could influence the final price as well as the payment methods available at our practice. Please speak up right away if there’s something you want to clarify about the costs associated with your new dental restoration.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Dental Crowns
It’s important to have a firm grasp on exactly what can affect the amount you will likely end up paying for your dental crown. Here are some of the factors involved:
- The Material Used: Different crowns may carry different costs depending on the materials that they’re made of. At our practice, you can get natural-looking crowns composed of ceramic or porcelain.
- The Method of Making the Crown: Some crowns are created in a separate dental lab while others can be made in-office thanks to the CEREC system. The overall price will depend on the method used.
- The Number of Crowns Needed: Certain patients may have multiple teeth in need of repair and thus will have to pay for additional crowns.
- Any Related Treatments: Getting a dental crown may be part of another treatment that has its costs to consider, like a root canal.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Crowns?
Do you have a firm idea of what your dental insurance does or doesn’t cover? You should confirm the details of your plan before you commit to having any sort of dental work done, and getting a dental crown is no exception. Talk to your insurance company to see what they have to say about your benefits.
Many insurance plans will indeed help pay for a dental crown since such a restoration is often necessary from an oral health perspective. Coverage is often around 50% since getting a crown is typically classified as a major dental procedure. Remember, though, that you may need to meet a deductible before your benefits kick in.
Options for Making Dental Crowns Affordable
What can you do if you’re not sure that the cost of a dental crown can fit into your budget? In many cases, signing up for a CareCredit plan might help. CareCredit is a third-party financing company that works with dental offices across the nation in order to ensure that patients are able to afford the care they need.
When you sign up for CareCredit, you will be able to pay for your treatment in a series of installments. This can make the overall cost of your care seem much less intimidating. When comparing the available CareCredit plans, it’s worth remembering that many of them have low interest rates, and some don’t have any interest at all.
Dental Crown FAQs
You deserve to know as much as possible before deciding to get a dental restoration, so if you have questions about dental crowns or bridges, we invite you to simply call our team and ask! To help you get information quickly, we’ve gone ahead and responded to some of the most popular questions we receive about this common treatment.
How long do dental crowns last?
The average lifespan of a dental crown is five to 15 years. Even though crowns can be made from a variety of materials, the biggest determining factor when it comes to their longevity is the patient themselves. Things such as oral hygiene, diet, and daily habits like smoking, teeth grinding, and nail-biting can contribute to a crown lasting longer or shorter than expected. Typically, crowns placed on the front teeth tend to last longer because they aren’t subjected to the same amount of chewing force as ones on the back teeth.
Can a dental crown get a cavity?
A dental crown itself can never get a cavity because it is not an organic material. However, the natural tooth beneath the crown can develop decay without proper care. A lack of brushing and flossing can allow bacteria to form near the gum line where the crown and tooth meet, leading to infection. Fortunately, these types of cavities can be largely prevented with regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups.
Does it hurt to get a dental crown?
Your mouth will be numbed before your tooth is prepared to be fitted with a dental crown, so you shouldn’t feel much if anything while in the chair. The tooth may be a bit sensitive following the procedure, but this will usually go away on its own after two or three days, and it can be managed with OTC medication in the meantime.
How do you know when a dental crown needs to be replaced?
While dental crowns are durable, they’re not meant to last forever. If you notice any of the following signs, they indicate your restoration is nearing the end of its lifespan:
- Pain – This typically happens if the underlying tooth is starting to decay. Your crown will need to be removed to effectively treat the cavity. Depending on the condition of your restoration, it will either be reseated or you’ll need to order a replacement.
- Instability – Your crown should never feel loose. If it does, you should contact our office right away for assistance.
- Noticeably Worse Appearance – A chipped or discolored crown can negatively affect your appearance, which is a good enough reason to replace it.
- Dark Line at the Crown’s Base – If you have a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown, the porcelain layer may start to chip away and reveal the darker metal portion. It means the crown has been through significant wear and tear and will need replacement in the near future.
Ultimately, the only way to know for sure whether or not your crown needs replacement is to have X-rays taken or have your tooth visually examined by our team.
Are dental crowns safe?
Yes, dental crowns are 100% safe when they’re placed by an experienced dentist. Since they don’t contain mercury, you don’t have to worry about toxicity. It’s also worth noting that tooth-colored materials like ceramic and zirconia contain zero toxins. Most patients are only at risk if they have an allergic reaction to the particular metal alloy used in crowns. While these reactions are minor, it’s still a good idea to tell us if you’ve experienced allergies or sensitivities to metal in the past. After your procedure, keep an eye out for signs of gum irritation, redness, or swelling near your dental crown. If you have any of those symptoms, call our office right away.
What happens if you wait too long to get a dental crown?
Keep in mind that dentists only recommend dental crowns if they’re absolutely necessary. Although you may be tempted to put off the procedure, it’s a good idea to get it scheduled immediately after your dentist has suggested it. Otherwise, your tooth will be exposed to chewing forces, food particles, and bacteria. It will be at risk of further decay and damage. Leaving it untreated for too long may cause the tooth to become so compromised that it’ll need a root canal or an extraction.
Is it a dental emergency if your crown falls off?
Not necessarily, but you should still call our office right away and schedule an appointment within a few days. Over the phone, we’ll share tips to help you manage your situation until you get to our dentist. You can use sugar-free gum or orthodontic wax to protect your soft oral tissues from the jagged edges of your underlying tooth. Try to avoid chewing or biting with the injured side of your mouth until your appointment. If possible, bring the crown with you to our office. We may be able to recement it to your tooth if it’s still mostly in one piece. Otherwise, you’ll need to have it replaced.