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Family & cosmetic dentist · Family Cosmetic Dentistry, Weston, FL · ADA member
Dr. Ramos places and restores crowns at Family Cosmetic Dentistry in Weston. This is how she explains them to her patients.
When I tell a patient they need a crown, the next questions are almost always the same: why, how long will it take, and what will it cost. Here are the answers I give in my chair.
What is a dental crown?
A crown is a cap that covers the whole visible part of a tooth. I describe it as a helmet for a tooth that has lost too much of its own structure. It restores the tooth’s shape and strength so you can chew normally again, and when it is made of porcelain or ceramic, it matches the color of your other teeth.
When I recommend a crown
I am conservative: if a filling will hold, I will not recommend a crown. According to the American Dental Association, crowns are used to:
- Strengthen a tooth with a large filling when there is not enough tooth left to hold it.
- Protect a weak or cracked tooth from breaking, or restore one that already broke.
- Cover a tooth after a root canal, especially a back tooth.
- Hold a bridge in place or cover a dental implant.
- Improve a tooth that is badly discolored or misshapen, when whitening or bonding is not enough.
What happens during the procedure
Getting a crown usually takes two visits, as MedlinePlus describes. At the first visit I numb the area, remove any decay or old filling, shape the tooth and take an impression for the lab. You leave with a temporary crown. At the second visit I remove the temporary crown, check the fit, bite and color of the final crown, and cement it.
With a temporary crown, chew on the other side, avoid sticky foods like caramel and gum, and slide the floss out instead of lifting it. If the temporary crown comes off, call us and we will put it back.
Which material is right for you
For front teeth I usually choose all-ceramic or porcelain, because it looks the most natural. For back teeth, the choice depends on how hard you bite and whether you grind your teeth. Metal and porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are very strong; all-ceramic crowns look better but can wear the opposing teeth more. I show you the options and explain the trade-offs before we start.
How long does a crown last?
MedlinePlus notes that most crowns last at least five years and can last 15 to 20 years. In my experience, the biggest factors are grinding, the health of the gum around the crown, and keeping up with checkups so we can catch problems at the edge of the crown early.
How much does a crown cost in Weston?
I prefer not to publish one price, because the honest answer depends on the tooth, the material and whether you need a build-up or a root canal first. Before any treatment, we give you a written estimate. Many dental plans cover part of a crown, and we check your benefits with you. Without insurance, our in-office discount plan gives 20% off eligible treatment, and third-party financing is available. If you want an independent reference, FAIR Health Consumer lets you look up typical dental fees by ZIP code.
What I tell my patients
A crown is not an emergency in most cases, but a cracked tooth gets worse with time. If a tooth hurts when you bite or a large filling is breaking, book a visit and let me take a look. New patients can start with a full exam and full-mouth X-rays for $99. You can also learn about our cosmetic dentistry in Weston if the tooth is in your smile line.
Questions my patients ask
Does getting a crown hurt?
The tooth is numb during the procedure, so you should feel pressure but not pain. Some sensitivity for a few days afterward is normal.
Can a crown get a cavity?
The crown itself cannot decay, but the tooth underneath can, at the edge where the crown meets the tooth. Brushing, flossing and regular checkups protect that edge.
Crown or filling: how do you decide?
If enough healthy tooth remains to support a filling, I choose the filling. When a filling would leave thin walls that could crack, a crown protects the tooth.
How long does a crown last?
MedlinePlus says most crowns last at least five years and can last 15 to 20 years. Grinding and gum health make the biggest difference.
Sources
- ADA MouthHealthy: Crowns
- MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine): Dental crowns
- FAIR Health Consumer: dental cost lookup
Related care: dental crowns and bridges, restorative dentistry and root canal treatment. Ready to come in? Request an appointment.
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