Dental Crowns – Corpus Christi, TX
Bring Your Smile Back With Professional Care
When you have a dedicated at-home oral care routine, you’re likely surprised when a dentist tells you that you have a damaged tooth that requires a filling or crown. However, sometimes normal wear and tear can damage teeth even when you commit to brushing and flossing. If it does, Dr. Pitarra has the expertise to bring your smile back to life with natural-looking and long-lasting dental crowns in Corpus Christi, TX! Call her dental office today to set up your very first appointment.
Why Choose Sarah Pitarra, DDS for Dental Crowns?
- Highest Quality Materials Utilized
- Regain Your Functional Smile
- Customized to Your Exact Needs
What are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are advanced restorations that fit completely over the top of a damaged tooth. Once in place, these crowns will protect the remaining healthy structure from further damage, and strengthen your damaged or decayed tooth.
What Materials are Dental Crowns Made of?
We typically recommend an all-ceramic crown for our patients because these restorations look and feel the most like your natural tooth structure. However, we can also offer crowns crafted from gold and other metals or porcelain fused to metal. Both of these options have their perks, and we will be happy to walk you through all of your options before moving forward with your treatment plan.
When are Dental Crowns Used?
Dental crowns are typically used to repair teeth following damage or decay, but we can also use dental crowns in the following situations:
- Replacing a damaged filling that is too large to be restored with a repaired filling
- Protecting and strengthening root canal treated teeth
- Concealing a cosmetically flawed or misshapen tooth
- To replace missing teeth as part of dental implant or fixed bridge tooth replacement plan
How are Dental Crowns Placed?
Dental crowns are placed over the course of two appointments. The first visit is a little longer, so you’ll need to plan to be in our dental office for at least an hour. We will numb the area around the damaged tooth. Then, we remove any decay or weakened tooth structure. We’ll also remove a small amount of enamel around the outside of the tooth to allow the crown to fit into the natural line of your smile. Next, we use a putty material to capture impressions of your prepared tooth and bite that are sent to our lab where your crown will be made. Finally, a temporary crown is placed to protect your prepared teeth. Once we receive your final restoration from the lab, you’ll return for your shorter second appointment. We simply remove your temporary, replace it with the custom crown, and as long as the fit is correct, we can bond the crown in place.
Do I Need to Care for My Smile Differently?
Directly following your procedure, you will want to avoid chewing with your crown and take special care while brushing and flossing your teeth for a few days or a week. After this time period, you will be able to care for your dental crown just as you would any other tooth. If you have a porcelain or ceramic crown, we may recommend you switch to less abrasive toothpaste and a softer toothbrush to avoid excessive wear. If you don’t already use a waxed floss or water flosser, this may be a good switch to avoid tugging at the restoration that could loosen or dislodge it.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Crowns
The cost of dental crowns depends on a few factors. During your restorative consultation, our team will be able to share some specific numbers with you. We will also help you understand your payment options, such as insurance and financing. We want the process of paying for your treatment to be as low-stress as possible.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Dental Crowns
Some factors that can have a bearing on the cost of dental crowns include:
- Preliminary treatments. Some teeth require root canal therapy or other treatments before they are able to support a crown. Logically, such services can add significantly to the total cost of your care.
- Crowns can be constructed out of a wide variety of materials, including gold, ceramic, porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM), and more. We always recommend the type of crown that best fits a patient’s circumstances and preferences. For example, a gold crown might be best for molars while ceramic crowns are often ideal for front teeth.
- The process of making the crown. Laboratory fees can affect your total bill. The labs we work with provide top-quality restorations.
- If you wish to be sedated during any portion of your treatment process, you can expect that to impact your total bill.
Keep in mind that cheap crowns are not better! You deserve a comfortable, functional restoration that will stand the test of time.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Crowns?
Yes, it is quite common for dental insurance to cover crowns. Typically, they are classified as a major service, so about 50% of their price might be covered. Our team can help you understand how your plan may apply and assist you in filing all the necessary paperwork. We will always be honest and straightforward with you about what type of coverage you can expect and what your out-of-pocket obligation will be.
Other Options for Making Dental Crowns Affordable
Beyond insurance, there is another provision that might make it easier to afford your crown: financing. Our practice gladly accepts CareCredit, a third-party lender that offers low-interest payment plans for dental services. The application process is fast, and most patients are deemed eligible for financing. You may have the opportunity to choose between several different monthly payment amounts.
Would you like to learn more about dental crowns and their cost? Our team will be pleased to answer your questions. Call us today to book a consultation. We look forward to serving you!
Dental Crown FAQs
If you have questions about dental crowns, you’re not alone. Preparing to receive this type of restorative treatment can spur many thoughts and curiosities that our team is happy to answer. Below, you will find clearer explanations regarding some of the most frequently asked questions we’ve received from our patients. If you do not see yours listed and would like to learn more, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office and schedule an appointment with Dr. Pitarra.
Are dental crowns permanent?
No, dental crowns are not permanent. They are designed to last 10-15 years with proper care and maintenance. When having your customized restoration put into place by our team, we will provide helpful tips that will serve to extend the life of your crown as long as you put them into practice. Some of these can include maintaining good oral hygiene, keeping your six-month dental checkups and cleanings, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding bad habits like chewing on ice or biting your fingernails.
Do dental crowns get cavities?
Dental crowns are customized restorations that are not porous like traditional tooth enamel. As a result, they cannot decay over time. However, any nearby healthy teeth can certainly develop cavities if left untreated or neglected. This is why we strongly suggest that you take special care of your oral health. Brushing, flossing, and rinsing are essential, as bacteria can spread beneath the gumline. If for some reason the seal is broken on your crown, plaque and tartar can reach the vulnerable, underlying tooth and cause decay to form.
Are dental crowns safe for an MRI?
Most of the materials used to create dental crowns today are safe for patients who require medical lab testing. Porcelain and other tooth-colored materials should not experience any issues; however, if you have a traditional amalgam or a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown, there is a chance that the crown can become loose. This, in turn, can cause your MRI images to become distorted, making it hard for a technician to view them. To be safe, it is always best to let the lab tech know that you have a customized restoration inside your mouth so that they can determine if you should move forward with an MRI or not.
What happens if you wait too long to get a dental crown?
No one wants to learn that they need a dental crown; however, if you wait to have it put into place, you can put your oral health at greater risk. Decay can spread deeper into the tooth’s layers, reaching the pulp and requiring root canal therapy or tooth extraction. It is always best to try and keep your natural tooth structure, so if you want to avoid the potential for costlier and timelier restorative care, don’t wait to call our office to schedule an appointment to receive a dental crown.