One of the many treatments we offer at Quality Dental Care of Lakeland is custom-made dental crowns. A dental crown may be your solution if you have a broken, damaged, discolored, or brittle tooth. A tooth crown covers the entirety of the tooth, holds the tooth in place, and balances your bite.
Dr. Vernon Smith, DMD is a skilled and knowledgeable dentist in Lakeland, FL who is an expert in restoring teeth. Please get in touch with us today to schedule your dental crown consultation with Dr. Smith and learn more about how we can help improve your oral health.
What Is a Crown for Teeth?
A dental crown, or a cap, is a tooth-shaped cover your dentist places over a natural tooth. A dental crown provides your natural tooth with strength and stability for chewing, speaking, and smiling. It also helps improve or restore the tooth's shape, function, and appearance. A tooth crown preserves your natural tooth while enhancing your oral health and aesthetics.
At Quality Dental Care of Lakeland, we use porcelain crowns because they provide the best natural shade, are metal-free, strong, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing.
Why Might I Need a Dental Crown?
A person may need a dental crown for various reasons:
- Protect a weak or decayed tooth
- Restore a worn or broken tooth
- Cover and support a tooth with a dental filling
- Secure a dental bridge in place
- Conceal a misshapen or severely stained tooth
- Top a dental implant
- Cap a tooth that's had root canal treatment
Depending on your unique needs and goals, your dentist may choose to place an aesthetic, durable crown.
How Long Do Crowns Last?
Dental crowns are highly durable, but they don't last forever. However, your dental crowns can last for several years if you practice proper care. How long your crown will last depends on multiple factors, such as:
- Your oral hygiene and habits
- The size of the crown
- The crown's material
- The reason for the crown
A high-quality dental crown can last up to 15 years or longer if you maintain excellent oral health. Also, some materials last longer than others. Porcelain crowns can last up to 15 years, while zirconia crowns can potentially last a lifetime.
Metal crowns can last between five and 15 years, and CEREC crowns can last 10 to 15 years.
It is important to remember that factors such as oral health and bruxism can impact the longevity of your crown.
How Do I Protect My Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are easy to maintain because they're similar to natural teeth. Here are some tips for maintaining excellent oral health and preserving your dental crowns:
- Brush your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss once daily.
- Rinse your mouth with a therapeutic mouth rinse.
- Limit your intake of sugar.
- Avoid sticky snacks and hard candy.
- Stay away from tobacco products.
- Wear a protective nightguard if you have a bruxism habit (teeth grinding and clenching).
- Visit your dentist for regular exams and teeth cleanings.
By following these tips, your crown should last for a long time!
How Long Does a Crown Take?
A dental crown usually takes two dental visits over a span of a few weeks.
The First Visit
During the first visit, your dentist examines your mouth and prepares your tooth for the crown. We take x-rays of your teeth and surrounding bone, and if there are signs of decay, infection, or tooth pulp damage, we will recommend root canal therapy.
After your examination, your dentist will prepare your natural tooth by shaping it so the crown can fit comfortably and securely. Your dentist then takes an impression of the tooth and sends it to our reputable dental laboratory technicians so they can create your custom crown. It typically takes two to three weeks to fabricate a final crown. In the meantime, we fit you with a temporary crown to protect the tooth.
The Second Visit
The second visit is when we place the final crown on your prepared tooth. We first remove the temporary crown and check the fit and color of the final crown. If everything is up to our high standards and to your satisfaction, we apply a local anesthetic to numb the tooth and cement the final crown in place. And voilà––your new smile is ready for chewing, talking, laughing, and smiling!
How Much Does a Dental Crown Cost?
The cost of a dental crown varies based on:
- Location of the crown
- Anesthetic
- The complexity of the case (e.g., impaction, crown lengthening)
- Diagnostics
- Treatment options (e.g., replacement crowns, dental cement, emergencies)
- Aftercare (e.g., prescriptions, gauze, ice packs)
The cost of a dental crown has a wide range, depending on its location and on the material used.
How Much Is a Porcelain Crown?
A porcelain dental crown typically costs between $800 and $3,000 per tooth. Some dental insurances help pay for dental crowns, and our friendly and knowledgeable team is here to help you receive affordable, high-quality care. Don't hesitate to contact us today for more detailed information on porcelain crown costs.
Schedule an Appointment for Dental Crowns in Lakeland, FL
Do you need a permanent crown to cover a broken, decayed, or damaged tooth? Please contact our Lakeland dental office today at (863) 858-3891 to schedule your consultation with our restorative dentist, Dr. Smith.
We look forward to helping you reclaim your smile!