Dental Crowns – Fort Smith, AR
Perfecting Smiles
with Porcelain Crowns
A porcelain dental crown, or cap, is a protective covering that is placed around the entire surface of a tooth, adding strength and protection from future damage or decay. A porcelain crown is a particularly useful restoration when fillings or other types of procedures cannot properly be performed. There are many different types of crowns, but porcelain remains the most popular choice because it is designed to match the size, shape, and the color of your natural teeth. If properly taken care of, porcelain dental crowns in Fort Smith are durable enough to last for several years, but just like any other dental restoration procedure, they may need replacing in the future.
Why Choose New Smile Dental: Gilberto Lopez, DDS for Dental Crowns?
- Improved Patient Education with Intraoral Cameras
- Strong & Natural-Looking Ceramic Materials
- Nitrous Oxide for Anxious Patients
Who Needs Dental Crowns?
- People with a fractured or broken tooth.
- People with rapidly decaying teeth.
- People who seek cosmetic enhancement.
- People who have fractured fillings.
- People who need large fillings.
What Does It Take to Get Porcelain Dental Crowns?
The procedure for receiving a new porcelain crown generally only takes two dental office visits. The first dental office visit consists of cleaning and taking impressions of your teeth. These impressions, or molds, are extremely accurate sculptures of your teeth and will be used to make the finished crown. Creating a crown takes approximately three weeks, so the impressions will also be used to make a temporary crown. Temporary crowns provide the same level of protection as the finished product; however, because they are not made for long-term use, it is important to make sure you go to your next appointment.
After the molds are taken, Dr. López will numb and remove any decay from teeth that need the crown. After they are done cleaning and shaping the tooth, the temporary crown is then set in place and Dr. López will make sure that everything feels comfortable in your mouth. During the second appointment, the temporary crown is replaced with the new crown and you will receive instructions on how to properly take care of your new crown. You are encouraged to attend your routine cleaning appointments so that Dr. López can monitor the condition of your teeth as well as your new crown.
For more information on porcelain crowns or the other services offered by New Smile Dental: Gilberto Lopez, DDS, please call us.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Crowns
If you need a dental crown, your financial situation should never stand in the way of getting the high-quality restoration you need. Various factors affect the cost of dental crowns, but Dr. Lopez strives to keep them within everyone's budget. He will create the personalized treatment plan you need to repair your tooth without draining your banking account.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Dental Crowns
Every mouth is as unique as fingerprints, which is why there's no flat fee for dental crowns. After examining your mouth and learning more about your preferences, Dr. Lopez will create an individualized strategy to rehabilitate your smile. Although every situation differs, you can expect your estimate to include:
- Preliminary Treatments: It's not unusual to require a little prep work before getting your restoration, like a root canal. Your tooth will also need to be prepared, which involves reshaping it to allow the crown to fit over its surface. A local anesthetic may be used to ensure your comfort during the process.
- Location of Tooth: The location of your tooth can also affect the cost.
- Materials:You'll find many discounted materials, but they can be of low quality and may not last as long. It's better to focus on quality instead of price when choosing a material for your restoration.
Dr. Lopez will help you make the best decisions for your smile. Rest assured, you will know exactly what you will have to pay before committing to anything.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Crowns?
Most dental plans will cover a portion of the cost for medically necessary crowns, like fixing a broken tooth. After meeting your annual deductible, your insurance can pay 50% to 80% of the expense until reaching your yearly limit. Your benefits might also cover other aspects of your treatment plan, such as your consultation, any preliminary procedures, or diagnostic imaging. A member of our team will work on your behalf with your dental insurance to maximize any applicable coverage. They'll explain how your benefits are being used and if there's any remaining balance.
Options for Making Dental Crowns Affordable
Besides using your dental insurance, our office offers many financial solutions to keep dental crowns within your budget, like:
- Traditional Payments: Our office accepts all traditional payment methods, including cash, personal checks, and credit cards.
- Monthly Payments: You can pay any out-of-pocket expenses using a monthly payment plan through a third-party financing company, like CareCredit. Based on your credit approval, you can enjoy little or no interest in financing.
- Special Offers: Our office offers various special offers for new and returning patients. We will discuss any applicable promotions during your consultation.
If you have any questions about your payment options, or you're ready to schedule your consultation,contact our office today.
Dental Crown FAQs
Although getting a dental crown is a fairly common treatment and can benefit your oral health in the long term, it does require permanently altering your tooth. It’s perfectly normal to have a few questions before committing to the treatment. Dr. López understands that. He will take the time to address any of your concerns during your initial consultation. While you wait for your appointment, it may ease your mind to read through this list of the answers to some frequently asked questions about dental crowns.
How Much Do Dental Crowns Cost?
Dental crowns do not come with a fixed cost. There are several factors that can affect their price, such as the size of the tooth they’re being placed over and the location of that tooth within the mouth. Keep in mind that crowns can protect your teeth from further damage that might necessitate more extensive and costly treatment in the future, such as root canals or extractions.
At New Smile Dental: Gilberto Lopez, DDS, we accept a variety of dental insurance plans and will gladly file claims on your behalf. We also can help you apply for a low-interest loan through CareCredit.
How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?
Rest assured that even though our dental crowns are metal-free, they are built to last. With the right aftercare, your crown can easily last for a decade or even two before it must be replaced.
How Do I Take Care of My Dental Crown?
Fortunately, maintaining a crowned tooth is not that different from taking care of any other tooth. You should brush and floss every single day, because even though the crown itself isn’t vulnerable to decay, the underlying tooth still is. In addition to being diligent about your at-home oral hygiene, be sure to attend a dental checkup and cleaning at least twice a year. At these appointments, your dentist can check your crown for any issues, such as tiny cracks or loosening of the bonding material.
To preserve the longevity of your crown, it’s a good idea to avoid chewing particularly hard or sticky foods with the crowned tooth. We also recommend that you refrain from chewing on inedible objects or use your teeth as tools to open packages, hold grocery bags, etc.
Will My Dental Crown Look Natural?
These days, you won’t need to worry about a dark, noticeable metal crown standing out against the rest of your pearly whites. Each of our dental crowns is meticulously crafted to match the exact size, shape, and color of your adjacent teeth. You’ll be able to speak and smile confidently with the knowledge that no one will be able to tell the difference between your crown and your natural teeth.
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