Crowns
A Secure & Attractive Restoration
The crown of your tooth, the wide portion that rests above the gum line, is bombarded with acids, food and beverage particles, the pressure of your teeth meeting, and bacteria every single day. If any of these variables is allowed to linger, the crown can eventually become compromised to the point that it can’t be salvaged. If you’ve gotten to this point, then all hope isn’t lost. At our Houston dental office, Dr. Gray can restore your oral health by placing new dental crowns in Houston, TX. Contact us today to speak with one of our friendly staff members and schedule a visit!
Why Choose Mark Gray, DDS Cosmetic and Family Dentistry for Dental Crowns?
What Is a Dental Crown?
Made from high-quality ceramics, a dental crown is a porcelain fixture that fits over your remaining tooth structure like a cap. It’s vital to your oral health in that it protects the more sensitive inner area of the tooth from being infiltrated by debris and bacteria. The crown is also essential for the proper function of your tooth, as it allows for greater chewing capacity. When you visit our Houston dental office, we’ll first complete any restorative work that may need to be done, and then we’ll provide you with a stable, durable, and aesthetically pleasing prosthetic.
How the Dental Crown Process Works
The traditional process for receiving a dental crown involves your dentist in Houston performing any restorative care first and then capturing bite impressions that are sent to a lab that will create a new crown. While this has been the common method used by dentists for years, Dr. Gray offers a more convenient solution: CEREC same-day crowns.
Here, instead of waiting weeks for a final restoration, after any preliminary work is completed, we’ll capture digital images of your tooth, which will be sent to our state-of-the-art CAD system. With the data that Dr. Gray inputs, your new porcelain crown will be custom-designed and then sent to our in-office milling machine that will fabricate the new fixture. In just one visit, you’ll have a healthier and more appealing smile.
The Benefits of CEREC Same-Day Dental Crowns
With our in-office creation of your same-day crown, the process can be completed in as little as an hour. Better yet, you won’t have to compromise on quality, deal with temporary fixtures, or spend more time away from your many other responsibilities. Here’s why more and more patients are choosing CEREC dental crowns in Houston:
- Health – In the past, it was common for fillings and crowns to be made of a mixture of toxic mercury and other potentially hazardous metals. With an all-porcelain CEREC same-day crown, your teeth can be restored in a healthier manner.
- Speed – The CEREC process, which usually takes around an hour to complete, saves you time compared to the old way of providing crowns. Furthermore, you won’t have to worry about visiting our dental office multiple times to complete the process.
- Aesthetics – With the usage of porcelain, which is known for its close resemblance to natural teeth in appearance and texture, you’ll have a restoration that looks like you were born with it.
- Minimally Invasive – One of the primary goals of any dental procedure is to preserve as much of the original tooth structure as possible. By employing the CEREC same-day crown method, we’re able to achieve that.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Crowns
While you may want dental crowns, it’s best to learn their price first. Doing so helps you see if the treatment fits your budget. Still, note that the cost of dental crowns varies by patient. You’ll only get a precise estimate by consulting our dentists. Once you have, we’ll work to make your crown(s) more affordable. Our team will even explain the caps’ cost factors and the possible payment options. If you want further details, just keep reading or call us directly.
Before the treatment itself, our dentists will give you an oral exam. This effort lets them learn the factors that affect your crown’s price. In particular, these elements include:
- Damage Severity – The more severely a tooth is damaged, the more its crown will cost. For example, a chomper with mild chips may only need the cap. A heavily broken tooth, though, will require a crown and preliminary work. Adding these extra services to treatment will increase your expenses.
- Crown Material – A crown’s material will also impact its price. Metal amalgam ones, for instance, are usually cheap. Meanwhile, our office’s ceramic and porcelain crowns cost a tad more.
- Crown Processing – A normally-milled crown won’t often cost much. In contrast, those processed with CEREC same-day technology are expensive.
Besides the above, remember that cheap crowns don’t work well. Their low price reflects their poor materials and milling methods. Instead, you’re better off buying a moderately priced crown. Despite the expense, you’re sure to get great results!
In general, dental insurance does cover dental crowns. Most plans see the caps as protective and necessary. Therefore, they’ll typically cover up to 50% of a crown’s price.
All that said, exceptions to these rules exist. There are the occasional plans that don’t cover crowns at all. Similarly, other policies may only offer limited coverage. Given such facts, always confirm your benefits before treatment. Our office’s team members will gladly help you do so.
Of course, crowns can be affordable without insurance. You just have to rely on a dental practice’s unique payment options. If you find a good one, your crown will become much more budget-friendly.
Just look at our own office, for instance. We offer flexible financing through CareCredit. Using them, you might pay for dental crowns in monthly installments. This approach would let you cover the cost of care gradually, only some at a time.
In the end, we want to give you gorgeous and affordable crowns. So, learn about financing them by seeing us for a consultation!
Dental Crown FAQs
Dental crowns in Houston are an effective method of protecting and repairing compromised teeth. Don’t worry if you have a few concerns about the road ahead. Your dentist will explain everything during your initial consultation for a dental crown. You can also contact our office to speak with a member of our team or take a look at the answers to the most frequently asked questions below.
Your dentist in Houston will keep your comfort as their top priority. They may administer a local numbing medication before any preparatory procedures and when reshaping your tooth. You may experience some pressure or unusual sensations, but you won’t have any pain. After the effects of any numbing medications wear off, your tooth can be tender for a few days. You can manage your discomfort with an OTC pain reliever and eat soft foods.
Dental crowns aren’t vulnerable to tooth decay, but you can’t stop brushing your teeth. Your underlying tooth and surrounding teeth can still develop cavities. Decay can occur underneath your restoration from bacteria found in tartar buildup when your crown meets your gum line. It can gain access to your tooth through small cracks that form in the dental cement over time. Good oral hygiene can keep cavities at bay. Limit your consumption of sugars and starches. Visit your dentist every 6 months to keep your mouth healthy.
Modern restorations are made of all-ceramic materials, so they shouldn’t discolor. Whitening products won’t have any effect on their color because crowns aren’t porous. Your dentist will advise against whitening treatments because their ingredients can weaken the bonding material holding your crown in place over time. It can also lead to inconsistencies because your enamel will get lighter, but your crown will be unchanged, causing it to stand out. Your cosmetic dentist can create a personalized plan to reverse discoloration while ensuring seamless results.
The average lifespan of a dental crown is about 10 years, but they can thrive for much longer. Many factors affect how long they last, like the materials used. High-quality materials tend to last longer. The location of your crown can also influence its life expectancy. Back teeth experience more wear and tear, so crowns placed on molars may have slightly shorter lifespans than restorations on incisors. You can ensure your restoration lasts for a decade or longer by practicing good oral hygiene at home and visiting your dentist twice a year for a cleaning and checkup. Limit hard or chewy foods and moderate your consumption of sugars and starches. If you have a habit of grinding your teeth, ask your dentist for a nightguard.
Schedule an Appointment Today
To have your damaged, missing, or worn tooth restored, the first step is to contact our Houston dental office to schedule a visit with Dr. Gray. With the technologically advanced and skilled care you’ll receive, you’ll soon be back to leading a happier, healthier and more productive life!