Dental Crown – Broken or chipped teeth can negatively affect your confidence and self-esteem. You might even avoid talking to people in social gatherings. But there is a solution that not only restores the function of a tooth but also improves the appearance of your smile.
If you have a damaged or decayed tooth, reviewing your dental crown options in Las Cruces can help improve the condition and restore a bright and healthy smile.
Table of Contents
What Does Getting a Dental Crown Involve?
Getting a dental crown is not a one-day procedure. In most cases, a crown needs to be custom-made.
The process varies from one clinic to another but in general, getting a crown involves:
- When you go to the dentist, the dentist needs to take an impression of your teeth and mouth, which will be sent to a dental laboratory. The dentist will take X-rays of the tooth to determine whether it can support a crown.
- The dentist also needs to examine the tooth to make sure there is no decay or damage to the nerve. If there is decay or damage, the tooth will have to be treated first.
- The dentist will clean a tooth and also prepare it for the dental crown by filing it down, so the new crown fits over the tooth.
- The dentist will have a model made of the prepared tooth. Usually, a dental technician will make the model.
- Next, the dentist will put a temporary crown made of acrylic resin or porcelain on the prepared tooth. The dentist will make sure you bite on the temporary crown and that it fits comfortably.
- After the dentist approves the temporary crown, he or she will make the final crown out of porcelain, plastic resin, or gold. The crown will be placed in your mouth, and the dentist will make sure it fits comfortably. The dentist will cement the crown into place.
- In some cases, the dentist will cement the crown in place and then make a second appointment to bond the crown to the tooth. The dentist will clean and also polish the tooth.
- You will need to return to the dentist regularly to have the crown checked.
What Type of Dental Crown Is the Best for Me?
1. Gold Crowns
Gold crowns are usually used for molars and premolars. Their main advantage is durability and strength. The best part being gold requires less removal of your natural tooth.
Price $600-$2,500
2. E-Max Crowns
This crown is made from lithium disilicate. If you’re looking for something thin, light, strong, durable, and resembling natural teeth, E-max crowns might be for you.
Price $800-$3,000
3. Porcelain Crowns
Porcelain crowns are the best for chipped or broken front teeth for the most natural look. This type of crown matches your surrounding teeth in size, shape, and color. Another added benefit is that porcelain crowns have no metal elements.
Price $800-$3,000
4. Porcelain Fused to Metal
These types of crowns provide strength with the metal structure and aesthetics with the porcelain coat. Compared to normal porcelain crowns, these come a bit cheaper.
Price $500-$1,500
5. Zirconia Crowns
This is a new material that combines the aesthetics of porcelain with the strength of the metal. Zirconia crowns are preferred since they last longer than other types of crowns.
Price $800-$3,000
When Do I Need a Dental Crown?
Some of the reasons people get crowns include:
- Cracked natural tooth
- To cover an implant
- Weakened tooth after severe cavity or decay
- To replace a large filling
- For aesthetic purposes
- To align your bite
The application of a dental crown requires precise skill, but the outcome is long lasting. A crown keeps your teeth strong, so that you can chew and bite without pain or discomfort. It also ensures that you will not have to undergo costly dental procedures in the future.
