Dental Crowns Aurora
Protecting and Strengthening Weakened Teeth
Decay and trauma are two of the most common dental problems that people battle over the years. If even one of your teeth is weakened by these conditions, it’s important that you seek treatment right away. Why? The longer you wait, the greater your odds of needing extensive and often costly treatments, like a root canal or even an extraction. At Mauck & Ricci, DDS, we offer a solution to these problems with dental crowns in Aurora. Both Dr. Mauck and Dr. Ricci can use crowns to restore your oral health while also improving the appearance of your smile. If you’re ready to strengthen your weakened tooth and enhance your smile, contact our office today to schedule an appointment.
What Are Dental Crowns?
Whether your tooth suffers from chips, cracks, stains, misshapenness, trauma, or serious decay, dental crowns may be the perfect treatment for that tooth. A crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” that fits over a tooth to build up its structure while protecting it from further damage. It can also be placed over a cosmetically imperfect tooth to give it a flawless appearance.
While dental crowns can be made from a variety of materials, we typically use dental porcelain. We choose this material not only because it’s completely metal-free, but also because of its uncanny ability to mimic the enamel of your natural teeth, even in the way light shines off of it. Each crown is custom-made to resemble an improved version of the tooth you were born with.
The Process of Getting a Dental Crown
After a consultation to determine that a crown is right for you, and that no preparatory procedures like a root canal are required, it generally takes two appointments to receive a crown. During the first visit, we prepare your tooth to be fitted with the crown. This involves either building up the tooth or shaving off the outermost layer of enamel to ensure there’s room in your mouth for the restoration.
Once the tooth is reshaped, we take impressions of it and send those to a dental lab that has partnered with us to create restorations. Your crown will be ready in about two or three weeks. In the meantime, we can place a temporary crown to protect your tooth.
At your second appointment a few weeks later, we’ll remove the temporary and make sure the permanent crown fits within your smile before permanently bonding it into place. This part shouldn’t hurt because we typically administer a local anesthetic beforehand.
Benefits of Dental Crowns
Some of the numerous benefits of dental crowns in Aurora include:
- Offering added protection to a chipped, cracked, or otherwise broken tooth
- Supporting a tooth that has been damaged by cavities
- Providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance to a dental implant or tooth that has been treated with root canal therapy
- Strengthening a weakened tooth and protecting it from future damage
- Restoring a tooth to its original size and shape
- Concealing a stained or discolored tooth
Understanding the Cost of Dental Crowns
As with any purchase, you’ll want to confirm your dental crowns’ price before you get them. (How else will you know if treatment fits your budget?) Just note that the cost of dental crowns varies, so you’ll need to consult our team for a precise estimate. We’ll strive to make your care affordable once you see us in person, as well as outline relevant price factors, the role of insurance, etc. Please keep reading or call us for more details.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Dental Crowns
At your initial consultation, you’ll talk with Drs. Mauck and Ricci about your treatment. This discussion will cover (among other things) factors that affect your crown’s price, including:
- Crown Material(s) – The cost of your crown will partly depend on the material of your restoration. Treatment should be inexpensive if the substance is metallic, while it could get costly if your cap is made of ceramic or something tooth-colored.
- Degree of Damage – If your tooth is severely damaged, a dental crown for it will cost more. That’s because teeth with major breaks or cracks often need an initial root canal.
- Processing Method – While a crown processed “normally” doesn’t cost much, one processed with CEREC technology is often expensive.
Beyond these three points, also note that cheap crowns rarely work well. Their low prices stem from their inferior quality, meaning they fail within a few years at most. You’re better off with a moderately-priced crown to ensure better results.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Crowns?
Most dental plans cover dental crowns, making treatment fairly affordable. A standard policy will even meet half of a crown’s cost if the procedure is medically necessary. To that extent, most patients can expect benefits once they meet their deductible.
Such rules have their share of exceptions, though. There’s a chance your plan has restrictions on crown coverage, doesn’t cover crowns at all, etc. You should thus confirm your policy’s benefits before you commit; our dental team can help you do so.
Clearly, you don’t need to “break the bank” to get great crowns for your smile. Just visit us in the coming days to make your final treatment affordable and cost-effective!
Dental Crown FAQs
Dental crowns in Aurora are widely used in restorative dentistry to rehabilitate damaged teeth; however, they also hold a commonplace in cosmetic dentistry to improve aesthetics as well. No matter the reason, you’re sure to have a few apprehensions before you’re ready to commit to the treatment. We’ll take the time to explain the process during your initial consultation. While you wait for your visit, here are the answers to a few of the most common questions patients ask us about crowns.
Will my crown look natural?
When picturing a crown, you might envision a dark restoration covering the tooth. It is true, crowns used in the past could cause an eyesore when you smile; however, not anymore. Modern crowns are made of all-ceramic material, which can be customized to match your natural teeth, including their size, shape, and color. No one will know your crown isn’t a real tooth because it will blend in with your smile.
How long will my crown last?
Although all-ceramic crowns aren’t made of metal, they are equally durable. In fact, it isn’t unusual for a crown to last for a decade or longer with the right aftercare. There are several things you can do to help promote the lifespan of your crown, such as:
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and nonabrasive toothpaste to clean your teeth twice daily.
- Use high-quality floss to clean between each tooth and around the crown daily.
- Wear an athletic mouthguard if you play sports.
- Don’t use your teeth as tools or chew on inedible objects.
- Don’t chew overly hard or sticky foods with the crown.
- Visit your dentist twice a year for a cleaning and checkup.
How much does a crown cost?
There isn’t a set fee for dental crowns because the cost is based on your individual treatment plan, such as the material used and the size of the restoration. If you need an additional procedure, it will also influence the cost, like root canal therapy. We’ll provide you with a personalized estimate during your consultation and discuss your payment options. A member of our team will help you find the solutions you need to rehabilitate your tooth without fearing a large bill.
Can I use my dental insurance to pay for a crown?
Every policy differs, but most dental insurance plans can be used to help offset the cost of a crown when used for restorative purposes. After paying your annual deductible, your policy can cover as much as 80% until reaching your yearly limit if the restoration is necessary to restore the health or function of a tooth.
Unfortunately, if the crown is only needed for aesthetic reasons, your insurance policy may not cover the cost, but there are some exceptions. Our office will help you understand your benefits and how they can be used to pay for your treatment.