Wilmington Dental crown treatments vary in price, based on the complexity of the treatment, the geographical location where the treatment is occurring, the training and expertise of the dentist and dental technologists, and the materials selected for the procedure. Because the placement of a dental crown will have cosmetic benefits, be sure to ask your dentist for any photographs they may have of past work, so that you can fully visualize your possible outcomes and also assess the skill level and expertise of the dental team you have chosen. Because the treatment isn’t solely cosmetic, however, and also has medical and functional benefits, dental crown treatment may be covered, at least partly, by a dental insurance policy. If you do not have dental insurance, or if your insurance won’t cover a dental crown procedure, you may want to research third-party financing options, like CareCredit, which will allow you to develop a payment plan that works with your budget.
Most dentists choose one of three materials, or combinations of materials for restorative full-coverage dental crowns. These materials are porcelain fused to metal, all porcelain, and metal or metal alloys, including gold. You and your dentist will work together to determine the material that is best for your dental crown restoration, based on your specific medical needs, your aesthetic demands, and the durability and strength required from the restoration. Crowns made of porcelain that has been fused to metal provide one of the strongest, most durable, and most attractive treatment options. Because porcelain that has been fused to metal creates a crown that is thicker than other material options, it is imperative that the tooth or teeth that are to be restored with this type of crown are prepared properly before the crown is placed, creating enough room to accommodate this thicker material. The laboratory technicians who build teeth from porcelain that has been fused to metal must also take this thickness into consideration when designing and building the crown. While porcelain fused to metal provides a durable, strong crown, as the gumline naturally recedes over time, the underlying metal layer may gradually become visible. If aesthetics are important, patients may choose to replace these crowns once the metal layer begins to become visible, as gum recession is a naturally occurring event. Some patients opt for a crown that is made of porcelain fused to metal but that has a collar made entirely of porcelain, which can prevent this gradual appearance of the metal underlayer.
An all-ceramic crown is usually made of zirconia or aluminous and may provide the greatest aesthetic benefit. Because an all-ceramic crown doesn’t need to be built onto a strong metal core, these crowns may be made with less material, allowing them to be thinner than porcelain fused to metal. This is particularly helpful in areas where there is limited space for restorative material. The absence of metal in these crowns also allows them to be translucent, just like natural teeth, which helps create a more lifelike appearance. While materials used for all-ceramic crowns have evolved and continue to, leading to greater durability and strength, these all-ceramic crowns may still not be recommended for areas of the mouth that undergo significant stress through their daily functions. Dental researchers continue to explore the possibilities with all-ceramic crowns and to work on strengthening areas of vulnerability, and new types of ceramic compounds are explored regularly, so talk to your dentist if you’re interested in an all-ceramic crown and try to learn more about the different cutting-edge options.
Base metal alloy and gold crowns are not as popular as their ceramic or fused counterparts, for aesthetic reasons, but metal alloys, including gold, remain the best material available in some cases. As an example, if a person has a long-standing clenching or grinding habit, they may be best served by the strength of a metal alloy or gold crown. Your dentist can assess your bite and your habits to help determine whether metal alloy or gold crowns are the best option for you. Metal materials provide tremendous strength and support, which is necessary for teeth in the back of the mouth, like the molars. Metal alloy and gold crowns are known for their longevity and don’t require as much preparation of the existing teeth as other materials do. Metal alloys and gold are also less abrasive to the surfaces of adjacent teeth, which leads to a reduction in friction while chewing and therefore helps to prevent further wear to the teeth.
While material contributes to cost, other factors also affect the overall cost of dental crown treatment. Because this procedure combines art and science, it’s important to choose experienced professionals with a track record of successful, attractive treatments. As technology advances, different medical practitioners must maintain their professional development so that they can remain aware of new possibilities; if there is a specific, innovative treatment technique or material that you are interested in, be sure to find a dental professional who is well-versed in this newer technology. You will also find that a broad range of dental professionals are equipped to place dental crowns; these types of professionals include family dentists, general dentists, cosmetic dentists, and prosthodontists. Prosthodontists receive significantly more training in the complexity of underlying bone and in the structures of the teeth; if you have an underlying issue with your bone, a prosthodontist may be the preferable professional for your treatment. Each of these professionals also brings a variation in cost.
If you are required to undergo a separate dental procedure to prepare your mouth for the placement of a dental crown, this cost is factored separately. Some procedures, like filing or building up the core of a tooth, are more minor than others, which may involve surgery. In general, crowns range in cost from $500 to $2,000 or more. For the lowest cost, your dentist can build up the surface of your tooth with an indirect resin crown, which is made by the dentist in-office and can best be compared to a large, tooth-colored filling. While this procedure may reduce cost and time, indirect resin crowns are not particularly durable and are not intended to last nearly as long as a crown will. Among the recommended materials for long-term restoration, metal alloy and gold crowns can range in cost from $600-$2,500, while porcelain fused to metal costs between $500 and $1,500 All-porcelain crowns, including innovative materials like zirconia, range in cost from $800 to $3,000. Talk to your dentist, and your dental insurance provider, about the best affordable dental crown restoration procedure for your needs.
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