Let’s be honest — dental problems are extremely common, no matter which part of the country you take a look at. In fact, one in four adults in the US has untreated tooth decay, which usually affects the appearance of their teeth.
Fortunately, tooth crowns are here to save the day, promising to restore the original look of your teeth. But how reliable are they, and what is the cost of getting a tooth crown? Let’s find out!
What Are Tooth Crowns?
Dental crowns are prosthetic devices cemented directly onto existing teeth or implants. Their purpose is to improve the appearance of your teeth by restoring their size, shape, strength, and appearance. Not only that, but dentists use crowns in delta bridge procedures to fill gaps that exist due to missing teeth.
Who Needs Tooth Crowns?
People may require tooth crowns for a variety of reasons, such as:
• Covering a dental implant
• Holding a dental bridge in place
• Restoring a severely worn down tooth or a broken tooth
• Covering a tooth that undergoes root canal treatment
• Protecting a fragile tooth from breaking or keeping a weak tooth together if parts of it are cracked
• Covering a severely discolored tooth
• Supporting and covering a tooth that has a sizable filling and not too much tooth remaining
Different Types of Tooth Crowns
It’s important to note that there are all sorts of crowns that vary depending on cost, materials, and procedures. And while they might look similar, they have their own pros and cons. The main types of crowns that you can choose from include:
• metal
• all-resin
• all-ceramic or all-porcelain
• porcelain-fused-to-metal
• pressed ceramic
1. Metal
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There are a couple of different types of metals used in dentistry, such as palladium, gold, nickel, and chromium.
The main advantages of metal crowns are that they rarely chip or break, can withstand wear and tear, and don’t require the dentist to remove a big amount of your tooth beforehand. Not only that but they can also withstand biting and chewing forces.
However, the biggest drawback of metal crowns is that they have a distinct metallic color, which makes them easy to spot. Therefore, dentists frequently use them for out-of-sight molars.
2. All-Resin
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Although they aren’t as popular as they used to be, all-resin dental crowns are one of the cheapest types of dental crowns. Unfortunately, they wear down over time and have a higher chance of breaking than metal or porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns.
As such, people use them as a placeholder until they have enough money for a more expensive and durable type of crown.
3. All-Ceramic or All-Porcelain
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All-ceramic and all-porcelain dental crowns provide the best natural color match when compared to any other type. In fact, they are the go-to option for most people out there, especially those with metal allergies.
Yet, they are not as strong as porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. Actually, they can wear down the teeth opposite them in the mouth more than resin or metal crowns. Even so, they are a great choice for the front teeth.
4. Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal
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Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns can perfectly match the color of the teeth that are nearby the crown. But sometimes, the metal under the porcelain cap can show through, looking like a dark line.
Other disadvantages include the fact that the crown’s porcelain can chip or break. Additionally, this type of crown can wear down the teeth that come into contact with them. Still, porcelain-fused-to-metal remains a favorite due to its natural color and price.
5. Pressed Ceramic
Pressed ceramic crowns are similar to all-ceramic ones, but instead of a metal liner, they feature a hard ceramic inner core. Since they feature a porcelain cap, these crowns provide the best natural color match. They are also extremely durable and long-lasting, which is why they are a popular alternative to all-ceramic or all-porcelain crowns.
The Benefits of Tooth Crowns
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Tooth crowns provide a variety of benefits. As a result, they are one of the most reliable restorative options nowadays.
Here is what they offer:
• Staying firmly in place — A dental crown is permanently placed over a tooth. Therefore, it will stay exactly where it is supposed to, unlike similar options such as dentures that can move around. In other words, crowns are very comfortable to wear as they become a permanent part of your mouth.
• Strengthening your teeth — Dental crowns completely cover a tooth, which gives weak teeth their strength back so they can continue doing their job without the fear of further damage. Crowns also protect teeth from further decay, making them perfect for teeth undergoing root canal therapy.
• Improving your smile — As previously mentioned, dental crowns can cover up a variety of tooth imperfections, like chopped or discolored teeth. And since they can match the rest of your teeth, crowns can drastically improve one’s smile.
Not only that, but depending on their material, crowns can be stain-resistant, allowing you to keep your teeth white no matter what.
The Cost of Tooth Crowns
The price of dental crowns varies depending on the type of crown you choose and where you live. For instance, porcelain crowns are more expensive than their gold counterparts.
But generally speaking, dental crowns typically cost $700‒1,700 or more per crown. Unfortunately, insurance rarely fully covers the cost of tooth crowns, but you’ll have to check with your dental insurance company to be certain.
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