Enamel is the strongest substance in your entire body, but it isn’t completely resilient to damage. There are numerous ways that teeth can become damaged. This includes poor dental hygiene, injuries during sports, and unexpected accidents. When you have a tooth that’s been damaged, it becomes vulnerable to additional harm in the future. Fortunately, if you have a tooth that is broken, decayed, or otherwise damaged, you don’t necessarily need to settle for an extraction. At NU Dental of Barnegat, Dr. Admasu Gizachew offers customized dental crowns to protect your compromised teeth. To learn more about dental crowns in Barnegat, give us a call !
Dental crowns are custom-crafted “caps” that are made to fit over the chewing surface of a damaged or weakened tooth above the gumline. This restoration can be made from a variety of different materials, including gold, ceramic, and porcelain. Dental crowns are usually recommended for patients with the following oral health issues:
Having a dental crown placed is a relatively straightforward procedure. It can generally be completed in just two appointments. First, Dr. G will examine your smile to ensure that a dental crown is the best restoration option for you. In order to repair your tooth, a thin layer of protective enamel must be removed. This creates room for the crown to fit comfortably in your mouth. An impression is taken and sent to the dental laboratory where your crown will be made. In the meantime, we will provide you with a temporary crown to protect your tooth. It will also help you to get used to how your new crown will feel when it is permanently placed during your next appointment.
Dental crowns are able to help patients experience numerous different benefits. Here are just some of the ones you can expect to experience:
As necessary as getting a crown might be for repairing and protecting your damaged tooth, you should make sure you have a full picture of what the cost will look like first. Rest assured that our team can answer any questions you might have about the price tag of your crown, and we can clearly and concisely explain your financial options. Here are the basics that you need to know when it comes to what you can expect to pay for your restoration.
Not every crown costs exactly the same. The final price can be informed by a number of variables, including:
When considering your options for dental crowns, don’t assume that the cheapest one is the best one by default. Cost and quality are often related; the higher cost of a crown made out of quality materials is balanced out by the fact that you can typically expect the restoration to last longer.
You should always double-check your dental insurance plan to make sure that you’re fully aware of what it will and will not pay for. Dental crowns are typically covered by insurance as long as they’re considered necessary for your oral health. Coverage may be around 50%, but this can vary from plan to plan.
Our team regularly works with many different insurance companies, so if you have any questions about your coverage, we’ll be happy to help. We’ll review the specifics of your plan and let you know how you can use your benefits to the fullest.
Even if you don’t have dental insurance, that doesn’t mean that you can’t potentially save money on a dental crown. Uninsured patients can sign up for our in-house membership savings plan. We offer a number of tiers (including Silver, Gold, and Platinum), each of which comes with significant discounts on a variety of services.
If you would like to pay for your dental crown in monthly installments, you can apply for CareCredit financing. One of the benefits of CareCredit is that it offers a number of payment plans, letting you choose one that suits your monthly budget.
Still have a few lingering questions about dental crowns in Barnegat? That’s okay! Our team would be more than happy to provide you with the specific answers you’re looking for during your appointment or even over the phone. However, if you value doing research online, then we hope you’ll keep reading to learn the answers to a few of the most frequently asked questions we hear from patients.
Oftentimes, patients are concerned that their dental crown will feel awkward or unnatural. Don’t worry – each one is custom-made just for you, ensuring that it won’t feel obtrusive in any way. In fact, you may be surprised just how natural it feels! We have state-of-the-art impressions, high-quality materials, and secure bonding agents to thank for that.
While dental crowns are designed to last for 15+ years with proper care, they aren’t technically permanent. Once the tooth underneath has been altered, it will always need the protective cap to function properly. The good news is that you can help prolong the lifespan of your dental crown by implementing a solid oral hygiene regimen, including brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting our Barnegat dentist every six months for a dental checkup and cleaning.
Waiting too long to get a dental crown can have some detrimental consequences on your oral health and your wallet. For example, if the root of the problem is decay, the infection can continue to delve deeper and deeper into the tooth, increasing your risk of needing a root canal or an extraction. Therefore, it’s always best to schedule the procedure sooner rather than later.
As mentioned above, dental crowns are designed to last for well over a decade (with proper care). However, it is important to keep an eye out for the warning signs that it needs to be replaced. Some common ones include:
Unlike your natural teeth, dental crowns aren’t comprised of enamel. As a result, they can’t be whitened. The best way to preserve their white appearance is by implementing a solid oral hygiene regimen, using a straw when you drink dark-colored beverages, and keeping up with your biannual dental cleanings. If you are unhappy with the color of your dental crown as the years go on, then talk to your dentist about your options, like having it replaced.
Even if you don’t have dental insurance, we may be able to help you save money on dental crowns in Barnegat. If you’re worried about your budget, feel free to ask our team about:
At Nu Dental in Barnegat, we can make your dental crown out of gold amalgam, ceramic, or porcelain.
Gold crowns tend to be more durable and cost-effective, but can discolor the tooth underneath and stand out in your smile. If you’re interested in saving some money with a gold amalgam crown, we typically recommend them for back molars that aren’t as visible.
Ceramic and porcelain crowns are very similar. Both are tooth-colored and often favored for their realistic sheen and feel. They’re also both very durable materials – though not quite as durable as gold. Porcelain looks and feels slightly more natural than ceramic and is a bit more stain resistant. Overall, both materials can give your smile a seamless restoration!
Unless discoloration and wear and tear are fairly extensive, it can be difficult to tell by just visually looking at your crown. Sometimes patients experience discomfort or instability when it’s time to replace their crown. Otherwise, you’ll likely need the aid of an X-ray or professional exam. Rest assured, at Nu Dental in Barnegat, we’ll investigate your dental work during your biannual checkup and cleaning and report our findings to you!
During your initial appointment, we’ll make any necessary alterations to your damaged tooth and place a temporary crown overtop of it. Temporary crowns are made from inexpensive materials, so they’re not as durable or lasting as permanent crowns. Their purpose is simply to keep your vulnerable tooth protected until our trusted partners at the dental lab can finish customizing your permanent crown.
This does mean that for one to two weeks, you’ll have to avoid overly hard, crunchy, and chewy foods, and brush and floss your teeth carefully to avoid disturbing the temporary crown. Once your final restoration is placed, you’ll be able to continue with your normal diet and routine!
