If you need a dental crown it can be confusing figuring out which one is best for you and how much they cost. There are many different types of crowns, and it’s important to know which type will work best for you. The cost of each type varies depending on your needs.
Dental crowns are typically used to restore the look and function of a damaged tooth. You likely need a dental crown if your teeth are cracked, chipped, stained, or have gaps. In general, a crown can range in price from $800 to $1500, and a gold crown could go as high as $2,500.
Dental Crown Basics
Dental crowns come in many different forms, shapes, and sizes. Depending on the tooth that needs to be treated will determine which type of crown is best for you. For instance, if your dentist notices there are gaps between teeth or they’re chipped then a dental crown may be necessary. If you’ve lost one or more of your natural teeth and want to replace them with implants then you’ll likely need a dental crown (called an implant-supported prosthesis). Your dentist can help determine whether your smile requires any kind of restoration by taking x-rays and examining how much damage has occurred in each individual tooth.
Why You May Need a Dental Crown
Dental crowns have long been a solution to restore the look and function of a damaged tooth. These tooth-shaped caps help restore your teeth and improve your smile. When your dentist suggests you need a dental crown, two questions may come up to your mind: What type of dental crown is best for me? And, what is the cost of it? Dental crowns can be made out of many materials depending on which benefits you want from them such as durability, color matching, etc. It all depends on what you want from your oral health care needs.
5 Types of Dental Crown Materials
- Gold Crowns
Gold crowns are a durable, strong material that is used for restorations. Some dentists will suggest this type of restoration in certain cases because it offers more benefits than other choices such as being less susceptible to corrosion or breaking. Unlike silver fillings which can chip due to environmental factors like pH balance changes from the food, we consume daily.
- Porcelain Crowns
Thanks to the popularity of porcelain crowns, this type is now one of many options available. They’re entirely made from a hard ceramic material that can withstand direct contact with teeth for an incredibly long period of time without causing any damage or discomfort.
- Porcelain Fused-to-Metal Crowns (PFM)
Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns provide both strength and aesthetics. The porcelain coating on top of the cap provides an elegant look for your teeth, while also providing protection against tooth decay.
- Zirconia Crowns
Zirconium is a new material that combines the strength of metal with porcelain crowns. The latest trend in dentistry has been high translucence zirconia and layered designs, which provide for an authentic appearance while still being strong enough to withstand chewing or biting by patients who suffer from restorations failing due to their natural wear-and-tear on teeth over time.
- E- Max: Lithium Disilicate Crowns
One of the newest crowns in dentistry today is known as E -Max. With its special design, this all-ceramic tooth replacement becomes lighter and thinner than other types because it contains lithium disilicate.
Which Type of Tooth Crown is Best?
Which type of dental crown is best for you depends largely on the tooth’s condition. Full-coverage dental crowns are recommended if your tooth is cracked, chipped, stained, or has gaps. When compared with other types of dental crowns, they are stronger and more resistant to biting forces. All ceramic core with a gold plated alloy covering will be your first choice if you’re choosy about the color of your teeth. Porcelain fused to metal crowns is usually cheaper than an all-ceramic core with a gold plated alloy covering but these types may cause more sensitivity because they don’t have any porcelain in them.
What Type of Dental Crown is Most Durable?
The full coverage dental crown is the most durable on the market and usually lasts about 10 years. These kinds of dental crowns cover the entire visible surface of the tooth and surround the entire root of your tooth (from your gum line). The benefits of full-coverage dental crowns are that they are aesthetically pleasing because the color matches the natural tooth. The patient is also able to chew food more thoroughly compared with other types of crowns. It protects your teeth by covering up any cracks, chips, stains, or gaps on the existing dentition. This type adds strength and support.
Half coverage crowns made out of zirconia are also very durable, lasting up to 2-5 years depending on how well they are taken care of each day. All ceramic core with gold plated alloy covering last much longer than porcelain fused to metal types, but these types may cause more sensitivity in patients because they don’t have any porcelain in them. It all depends on what you want from your dental crowns and if cost is an issue or not! What type do you prefer?
What Are the Costs of Dental Crowns?
– Full coverage, porcelain jacket crown – $700 to $900.
– Metal on metal/all-ceramic core with gold plated alloy covering – from $1000-$2000.
– Three-quarter coverage, all-ceramic or composite veneer – between $400 and 700 depending on thickness.
– Half coverage crown made out of zirconia – about $400 to $1000 depending on materials used for each patient’s case. A full arch is usually more expensive than a partial one because it involves additional fees such as impressions, custom laboratory work among others that might not be included in the price if you choose a tooth by tooth procedure.
– Porcelain fused to metal crowns – around $700 depending on the type of alloy used.
What Healing Time After a Dental Crown?
If a dental crown is properly installed, you should not experience any pain. Dentists recommend a waiting time of about eight weeks before the patient resumes munching on ice cubes or biting into hard objects.
Trying to maintain a healthy diet and practicing good oral hygiene will also help your teeth heal faster. In addition, your dentist will provide you with detailed instructions on how to care for your dental crown.
What Happens if I Need a Crown and Don’t Get One?
In some cases, the gum tissue may have been damaged by a tooth being detached from its proper location. In this case, it can lead to infection and inflammation of the gums which can be very painful and distressful. If left untreated, these conditions may lead to a worsening condition which causes bone loss in the jaw area. In cases like this, a dental crown may be necessary to protect the tooth.
