Today we will be discussing dental crowns – what they are, why they are needed and what to expect during the procedure.
Dental crowns act like a helmet for teeth which are weak, for example, broken teeth or teeth with large fillings, teeth with cracks, or root canal treated teeth. Dental crowns are either made of a type of porcelain or metal, and they act to protect the underlying tooth that is remaining.
Traditionally, crowns were a two-stage process. The first appointment involved polishing and carving the tooth to make room for the crown, then a silicone impression to send to a laboratory, and finally, a temporary crown placed on the tooth. The second appointment was made a few weeks later such that the lab crown could be cemented on.
At Dental House, crowns can actually be made on the same day. With the latest 3-D scanning technology, there is no longer a need for a silicone impression or a return appointment. The tooth is instead scanned, the crown is designed on a computer and then carved out of a ceramic block by a milling unit. The colour and shape of the crown is custom-designed to match the neighbouring teeth. Whilst the crown is being designed, you can even take a break and go for a stroll before returning to have it cemented on permanently.
Crowns can also be indicated for front teeth, and they can be placed on top of implants in order to replace a missing tooth. In these situations, the 3D scans are sent to a laboratory as they require more complex steps in creating the crown.
The cost of a dental crown can therefore vary depending on the material being used, whether it requires a laboratory or extra components as with dental implants for instance. In terms of price, generally speaking, a dental crown would cost anywhere between fifteen hundred to twenty-five hundred dollars based on the factors that we just discussed.
If you have a broken tooth, or think you may need a dental crown, we would love to look after you. Here at Dental House, we have saved thousands of teeth by protecting them with dental crowns. Just simply give us a call on 1800GENTLE, direct message us on social media, or complete the enquiry form on our website. See you in the next video.
