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Dental Crowns – West Seneca, NY

Beautifully Restore Your Tooth

 

At Applegate Dental, we try to use treatment that preserves as much of your natural tooth as possible. However, in some situations, filling material isn’t enough. Dental crowns, also called dental caps, fully encapsulate a tooth in order to restore form and function as well as appearance. You can think of crowns your teeth’s second chance! If one or more of your teeth require more advanced care, make an appointment with us and see if dental crowns are right for your smile.

Why Choose Applegate Dental for Dental Crowns?

  • Restorations Customized for Each Patient
  • State-of-the-Art, Tooth-Colored Materials
  • Highly Skilled and Caring Dental Team

What is a Dental Crown?

diagram of a dental crown

Dental crowns are one of the most commonly recommended restorative dentistry solutions at Applegate Dental. Crowns are used to restore teeth in a number of situations including:

  • Severe decay too extensive to be restored with a filling or other more conservative options
  • Holding a fractured tooth together to prevent extraction
  • Cosmetic flaws like misshapen or malformed teeth or deep-set stains
  • As the finishing touch on a tooth after root canal treatment
  • As part of dental implant to replace a single missing tooth

The Dental Crown Process

dental lab technician’s hands crafting a dental crown

Whatever reason patients need a dental crown, the process is the same. Patients should plan to visit our team two times. During an initial visit, a small amount of surface enamel is removed from teeth to prepare them to receive a crown. We then collect dental impressions to send to our trusted lab where a custom crown is crafted. In the meantime, we place a temporary crown to protect the tooth. Once the final crown or bridge is returned to our dental office, patients come back for a second appointment where we exchange the temporary for a permanent solution.

The Benefits of Getting a Dental Crown

man smiling in orange shirt with white background

Although some circumstances may warrant porcelain fused to metal, many of our crowns are made of 100 percent porcelain, a material that so closely resembles natural teeth that you, and those around you, may not be able to tell the difference. In addition, the crowns we provide are durable and often last for 15 to 20 years—if they are properly maintained through daily flossing and brushing and regular checkups and cleanings with us.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Crowns

smiling woman with her arms folded (for cost section)

Dental crowns can be used to rebuild your smile. Considering all the teeth in your mouth, you’d be surprised by the number of custom possibilities! As a result, it can be difficult to estimate how much your crown treatment will cost without first examining your teeth. Once we get an idea of what you need, we can give you a precise price and come to a payment solution that works for everyone. If you ever have questions about cost, don’t hesitate to call us.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Dental Crowns

three dental crowns with a black background

Some considerations we take into account include the number and location of the dental crowns. Obviously, the more crowns, the higher the cost. Also, crowns toward the front of your mouth tend to cost less because they are generally smaller and bear less stress than your molars. These back teeth could consist of various materials as well, possibly impacting the price. Whether your crown is constructed purely of porcelain or porcelain fused to metal, we’ll make sure it’s strong enough to withstand daily use and still fits in your budget.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Crowns?

insurance form with glasses on it

Although specific coverage amount can vary, most dental insurance plans do pay a part of the total cost for dental crowns. Usually, it is around half of the price, leaving you the other half, but again, it’ll depend on your policy. When you come in and before we proceed with treatment, we’ll look at your plan to see how much you’ll be responsible for paying out of your pocket.

Options for Making Dental Crowns Affordable

hands with a form and calculator

Whether or not you have dental insurance, paying for your dental crown may be uncomfortable with a tight budget. Fortunately, we can help you apply for low-interest financing, which means you can pay for them over several months instead of all at once. Many patients find this method much easier to manage and that it allows them to afford their treatment without as much strain on their finances.

Dental Crowns FAQs

Here are our responses to some commonly asked questions about dental crowns. If you have more that aren’t addressed below, feel free to ask us during your appointment!

Does Getting a Dental Crown Hurt?

Before we do any alterations on your tooth for your dental crown, we will numb the area around the tooth. As a result, you shouldn’t feel any discomfort while you’re in the chair, whether we need to perform a root canal or reshape the tooth for the crown. While you wear your temporary crown, which isn’t an exact fit, you may experience some sensitivity (if you still have the tooth nerve), but once your custom crown is placed, any unpleasant sensations should subside.

What Are Dental Crowns Made of?

Although many materials are used for dental crowns in the industry, we most often use porcelain and metal fused to porcelain because of their natural appearance. For obvious reasons, we tend to choose porcelain crowns for front teeth that are more visible. This substance is stain resistant and reflects light just like enamel, but don’t think that these crowns aren’t durable! They can withstand your biting force well enough. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are usually reserved for molars or less seen teeth for added strength and durability.

How Long Is the Dental Crown Process?

In between your two appointments at our office, the dental lab usually requires a couple of weeks to fabricate your custom crown. We will call you as soon as it is ready, especially if it comes sooner than expected. Although we can manage minor changes to ensure the perfect fit, any substantial adjustments must be sent back to the dental lab, but most of the time, it fits correctly at this point. After it is bonded in place, you are basically free to use it and care for it like you would a natural tooth.

How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?

Dental crowns have the potential to have a long lifespan. In fact, with the right maintenance, one can last for 15 or more years before needing replacement. What does proper care look like? You simply need to brush and floss it every day like you would a normal tooth and continue coming in for routine checkups and cleanings. If we notice signs of significant wear or damage, we can address the crown or replace it so that you always have a strong, brilliant smile.