Joseph Vollo, DDS • Katherine Vollo, DDSDental Crowns – Rochester, NY
Rebuild Your Smile with Custom Crowns
Although composite resin has changed the way dentists deal with cavities, there’s only so much that can be done with fillings. That’s where dental crowns come in. No other treatment is as versatile as the dental crown, and our highly trained dentists are proud to give teeth a second chance after decay or damage. If you think your smile could benefit from dental crowns, you can contact us to schedule an appointment at our Rochester office!
What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown in Rochester is an individual restoration that is designed to cover an ailing single tooth, both repairing its appearance and protecting what remains of the original structure. Crowns are very versatile and can be used effectively in the following cases:
- When a tooth is suffering from a big cavity that can’t be treated with a filling.
- When a tooth is badly injured and needs additional support.
- When a tooth is weakened and has a high risk of fracturing.
- When a tooth is misshapen and you would like to improve its appearance.
- When a tooth has just undergone root canal therapy and needs protection against future damage.
- When a single dental implant needs a restoration.
The Dental Crown Process
Dental crowns traditionally require two appointments to complete. During the first visit, we “prepare” the tooth, meaning we perform root canal therapy, cavity treatment, or whatever is needed to make the tooth clean and ready for restoration. Then, we take impressions of your teeth and send this information to a dental lab. While the lab fabricates the custom crown, you wear a temporary crown. Then, you return to our office to have the crown bonded into place.
As an alternative to this traditional option, here at Vollo Dental Group, we’re now happy to offer CEREC one-visit crowns as an efficient and fulfilling option when possible.
The Benefits of Getting a Dental Crown
Crowns are designed to perfectly imitate real teeth. In fact, the material reflects light like natural enamel, giving crowns that lifelike appearance. Plus, the durable porcelain usually lasts up to 20 years with the proper care! In many cases, a protective dental crown is the last chance a tooth has before being extracted. In other words, dental crowns help to salvage teeth that otherwise would be lost entirely.
Dental Crowns and Bridges
There is another important function that dental crowns perform—stabilizing dental bridges. Dental bridges are sturdy restorations that are designed to replace one or more missing teeth in a row that have been fully lost. They’re meant to literally “bridge” the gap by attaching prosthetic teeth to dental crowns on each end. These crowns then are affixed over natural teeth or dental implants on either side and hold the bridge in place.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are used in a variety of dental contexts, and they’re often vital to helping an uncomfortable patient feel better. If you’re trying to repair a cracked or fractured tooth, the last thing you want to worry about is fitting treatment into your budget.
That’s why we try and be as transparent about cost as possible throughout every step of the process. We’ll give you an estimate when we meet you in person, but until then, here’s what you should know about the typical price of dental crowns.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Dental Crowns
Every patient is completely different, meaning that there are several factors that we typically need to consider when it comes to pricing out your treatment. For one, there’s the cost of any preliminary procedures you need before getting dental crowns—root canals and dental implants are something to consider when budgeting for dental care.
There’s also the matter of the material used for the crown. Over the years, a wide range of metals and ceramics have been used in restorative dentistry, some of which are more affordable than others. However, it’s also worth noting that quality is a factor too, with the cheapest metal crowns having significant disadvantages when compared to, say, porcelain. While cost is always worth thinking about, it shouldn’t be the only thing that determines what kind of material you use for your crown.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Crowns?
Every plan has its own rules, but dental crowns are usually considered to be necessary restorative care, which means that dental insurance tends to pay for at least a portion of the treatment. The exact proportion depends, but if they’re deemed medically necessary you could expect your dental plan to pay for around 50% of the cost of your dental crowns.
Other Options for Making Dental Crowns Affordable
If you don’t have insurance, that’s ok! We have other options to make getting the care you need affordable. We also offer financing through CareCredit, a health and wellness lending firm that can help you to split dental fees into manageable monthly installments. So long as you make your payments on time, you may not even have to pay any interest on your loan!
We’ll be happy to help you navigate all of the financial options available to you, so if you’re concerned about the cost of treatment, give us a call and we’ll do our best to get you the care you need.
Dental Crown FAQs
Have you been told that you’re in need of a dental crown? You may still have some unanswered questions about the procedure, so we’re here to help. Here are the answers to some of the most common questions we receive about dental crowns in Rochester. If you don’t see the information that you’re looking for below, give us a call. We’re happy to talk to you more about the restoration so you know what to expect.
Are Dental Crowns Permanent?
They aren’t permanent, but dental crowns are considered to be a long-term solution. On average, they’re able to protect teeth for anywhere between 5 and 15 years. When your dentist reshapes your tooth for your crown, the procedure is irreversible, so you will always need to have it covered by a crown going forward. However, crowns are able to protect the underlying tooth from additional damage, therefore helping the tooth to last much longer than it likely would have otherwise.
Do Dental Crowns Get Cavities?
It is impossible for a crown itself to develop cavities, but the tooth underneath it still can. In fact, a crowned tooth has about the same risk of decay as an uncrowned tooth. Poor oral hygiene makes it possible for bacteria and plaque to collect along the gumline where the tooth meets the crown. They can then travel beneath the crown and cause problems for the underlying tooth. You can prevent cavities in crowned teeth the same way you’d prevent cavities in any other tooth. Brush twice and floss daily, and see your dentist for regular cleanings and checkups.
Does It Hurt to Get a Dental Crown?
Just like when you get a filling, your dentist will numb the tooth that they’ll be working on. While you shouldn’t feel any discomfort during the procedure, you are likely to experience some sensitivity for a few days afterwards, especially if you have also had a root canal. Fortunately, this is all temporary and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. If discomfort persists, let us know so we can help.
Do Dental Crowns Feel Natural?
Within a few days of receiving your permanent crown, it should start to feel increasingly natural. Crowns are made from durable materials that can stand up to everyday chewing forces just as easily as tooth enamel, so eating with a crown shouldn’t feel strange. The reason that your dentist reshaped your tooth was to ensure that the crown would fit comfortably within your mouth. Additionally, every crown is customized based on impressions taken of your tooth. Ultimately, your crown shouldn’t feel awkward or noticeable.