Cavities, injury, and gum disease can significantly damage your teeth. If that damage requires an extensive filling, root canal, or dental implant, you will also need a dental crown! A dental crown will restore your bite, the aesthetic of your smile, and will allow you to chew without pain.
But with several dental crown options to choose from, how should you choose the best option for you? Some types of crowns offer a more natural look, while others provide more durability. During your consultation with Dr. Peck, he will discuss the different options available to you, but we have also created this guide to provide you with more information. Read on to learn more about what makes a crown that’s fit for a royal smile - yours!
What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that is attached to the top of a damaged tooth or a tooth implant. There are several reasons you may need a dental crown including:
A weakened tooth after severe decay or cavity
To cover an implant
To replace a large filling
A natural tooth that is damaged or cracked
A tooth that has undergone a root canal (especially posterior teeth)
To align your bite
For aesthetic purposes: to achieve a more beautiful smile by leveling the size, shape, and color of your teeth.
In some of these cases, you may not need a crown immediately, but will be monitored for future needs. After a thorough examination during your first office visit, your dentist will evaluate your particular case, and guide you through possible treatments.
What Does Getting a Crown Involve?
Fitting a crown requires at least two office visits. Initially, we will remove decay, shape the tooth, and fit it with a temporary crown of either plastic or metal.
On the subsequent visit, we will remove the temporary crown, and then fit and adjust the final crown. Finally, we will cement the crown into place and you have a new beautiful looking tooth.
What Type of Dental Crown Should I Choose?
There are many different types of crowns that vary depending on materials, cost, procedures, and the patient’s needs.
The main types of crowns used in dentistry include:
1. Gold crowns
Gold crowns are in fact a combination of copper and other metals, such as nickel or chromium. The main advantage of gold crowns is their strength and durability.
For restorations at the back of the mouth - and depending on each patient’s needs - some dentists may suggest a gold crown as the preferred option. However, although they may sound fancy - gold crowns aren’t the most popular option due to their noticeability.
Advantages of Gold Crowns:
They are strong and highly resistant
They last a long time if properly cared for
Less proportion of your natural tooth needs to be removed
They wear down quite slowly, just like natural enamel
Good option for posterior restorations (back teeth), especially second molars
Disadvantages of Gold Crowns:
Poor aesthetics: They obviously don’t look like a natural tooth
Gold alloy crowns can cause side effects such as allergic reactions or swelling
2. All Porcelain Crowns
The most popular type of crown used currently. They are entirely made of porcelain material.
Advantages of Porcelain Crowns:
Porcelain or ceramic crowns provide the best and most natural look. They match your surrounding teeth in shape, size, and color.
The best option for front teeth restorations.
No metal is used, so they are non-toxic
Disadvantages of Porcelain Crowns:
They are not as strong as metal crowns. Porcelain crowns can last a long time, but they have to be well taken care of.
Patients who suffer from bruxism (teeth grinding) should opt for gold or Porcelain Fused-to-Metal Crowns
They may be more costly than other types of crowns, such as metal crowns.
3. Porcelain Fused-to-Metal Crowns (PFM)
Porcelain fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns are another widely used type of dental crowns. They provide both strength (due to their metal structure) and aesthetics (due to the porcelain coat that covers the cap).
Advantages of PFM Crowns:
They provide great aesthetics and durability
They’ve been around for over 50 years. We know they work well.
They are less costly than all porcelain crowns
Disadvantages of PFM Crowns:
The metal in these crowns may cause a gray line at the gum line. This may not give the 100% aesthetic look that all porcelain crowns provide.
For people who clench their teeth, this type of crown may wear down more easily against the opposing teeth.
4. Zirconia Crowns
Zirconium is a relatively new material that combines the strength of metal with the aesthetics of porcelain crowns. High translucent zirconia and layered zirconia crowns have become a more popular choice lately.
Advantages of Zirconia Crowns:
They provide great aesthetics
They are strong and long-lasting (less possibilities of chipping or breaking).
The process can be less time consuming because zirconia can be cut and shaped at the same dental office. There’s no need to send them over to a dental lab.
Zirconia Crowns are less likely to wear down due to their strength.
They are biocompatible: as metal free crowns, they are not likely to cause allergic reactions.
Disadvantages of Zirconia Crowns:
Their strength can make the teeth they bite against wear down easily.
Solid Zirconia can be difficult to adjust
5. E- MAX: Lithium Disilicate Crowns
The newest type of crown in dentistry today is known as E-Max. It is a type of all-ceramic crown made of lithium disilicate (which is also light and thin).
Advantages of E-Max Crowns:
Great aesthetics. They look great in your mouth.
They can be durable and very strong.
They provide a great choice both for front and back teeth.
Disadvantages of E-Max Crowns:
They could be more expensive
Some dental professionals have reported failures using E-Max for posterior teeth, especially when doing multiple units.
What Is The Cost of Dental Crowns?
The different material options for dental crowns also vary in average cost. In general, all porcelain crowns cost more than metal ones, but there are also other procedures that may have to be performed before your crown is placed.
Prior to placing a crown, your dentist will ensure that the health of your teeth and gums is taken care of. You may need fillings to remove decay, the removal of the entire tooth, or gum treatment like a gingivectomy to treat gum disease or for aesthetics. In the worst case scenario, you might also need a root canal, in which case the overall cost of the procedure can increase significantly.
Generally speaking, crowns can range in cost from $500 to $2000, or more. The range depends on whether or not you have insurance, what your insurance policy actually covers, the dental fees charged by your dentist and how many added procedures are needed to complete treatment.
So What Is the Average Cost of a Tooth Crown?
Currently, the price range of dental crowns per tooth is estimated at:
Gold crowns: $600-$2,500
All-porcelain crowns: $800-$3,000
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns: $500-$1,500
Zirconia Crowns and E-max crowns: $800-$3,000
If you have insurance, a portion of the crown can be covered. But the percentage covered will depend on the type of insurance you have, whether your dentist is in-network or out-of-network, your deductible, and the other procedures required alongside the crown.
If the crown is part of a purely cosmetic treatment, your insurance plan will most likely not cover the cost of it. But if the treatment is preventative (to cover a root canal or repair a broken tooth) the cost can be covered by your insurance (or at least a percentage of it).
But you shouldn’t make a healthcare decision based solely on cost. Seeing a dentist that has good reviews or comes highly recommended may be better than focusing on the cheapest option.
It’s a good idea to set up an initial appointment with your preferred dentist first. They can do a complimentary insurance check to see what your dental insurance will cover and what your portion will be.
With that info, you can reach out to other dentists to confirm your dentist’s fees are within range. You should also consider that getting the “royal treatment” such as a friendly staff and the doctor’s bedside manner and experience might be worth an extra financial investment.
If you are in need of a crown for preventative or cosmetic reasons, there is a lot to consider. A dental crown is a long-lasting restorative treatment that can last for 10-20 years if cared for correctly. It is a significant investment in your health care, and it’s important to feel that the investment was worth it. Your dentist should work with you to select the materials and treatment plan most appropriate for you. Do your research locally and find a dentist that you feel comfortable with and will give you the royal treatment you deserve!
