Dental Crowns – Toledo, OH
A Lifelike and Durable Solution for Damaged Teeth
Even with the best oral hygiene best practices in place, accidents can happen. You can develop a cavity. You can crack a tooth while biting into something crunchy. You can fracture a tooth while playing your favorite sport. The good news is that our team at Dental Group West offers our patients in Toledo a lifelike and durable solution for damaged teeth: dental crowns. To learn more about the treatment process as well as the benefits of this restorative dentistry service, get in touch with our team or read on!
Why Choose Dental Group West For Dental Crowns?
- Knowledgeable Team With Decades Of Experience
- Metal-Free Materials For More Natural Appearance
- Early Morning And Evening Hours Available
What Is a Dental Crown?
Dental crowns are one of the most popular restorative dental services available! With a cap-like structure, this tooth-saving treatment is custom-made for each patient, ensuring it fits perfectly on the underlying tooth. These restorations are made from lifelike and durable materials, like porcelain, and are most often used to address:
- A broken tooth
- A tooth that just received root canal therapy
- A missing tooth that has been replaced with a dental implant or dental bridge
- A tooth that is severely misshapen or stained
The Dental Crown Process
The dental crown process will begin with an oral examination. If our dentist in Toledo determines that this is the best solution for your damaged tooth, then we will share why and answer any questions you have before preparing your tooth. This involves removing a layer of your enamel to ensure that your dental crown won’t protrude unnaturally in any way. From there, we will take an impression of your tooth and send it to the lab artisans with specifications for the ideal size and color. While your dental crown is being crafted, you will wear a temporary one to protect your tooth.
After we’ve received your permanent crown, we will schedule a time for you to come back to our office. At this appointment, we will remove your temporary crown and secure your permanent one in place. Lastly, we will review how to care for it properly to keep it in pristine condition for as long as possible!
The Benefits of Getting a Dental Crown
Modern dental crowns in Toledo offer patients numerous benefits, including:
- Enhanced chewing ability and comfort
- Reduced risk of decay and infection
- A 15+ year lifespan (with proper care)
- Complete customization
- Lifelike appearance
Want to learn more about dental crowns? Then schedule an appointment with our friendly and highly trained team at Dental Group West!
Understanding the Cost of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns can address a wide range of issues, and if you need one, it may be to address a very urgent problem. Here at Dental Group West, we don’t want you to have to stress about how you’re going to pay for a treatment you need.
For that reason, we do everything we can to make information about costs as transparent as possible. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have at a consultation, but until you can make it to the office, here’s some info that can help you budget for dental crowns.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns can look a lot of different ways and serve many different functions, which means that it can be hard to nail down what one will cost without understanding more about the circumstances.
For one, it’s important to know whether there are any necessary procedures before a dental crown can be placed. Getting a dental crown will cost more if you need a root canal beforehand, for example.
It’s also important to know what kind of materials the crown will be made of, as that can greatly affect its price. EMAX and zirconia, for example, tend to cost more than porcelain. The material used will depend both on personal preference and the location of the dental crown in the mouth.
It’s important to remember that the cheapest option isn’t necessarily the best one, especially when it comes to your oral health. While your budget will naturally play a role in the decisions you make, you should keep in mind that a dental crown that doesn’t make you look and feel good isn’t worth any price.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Crowns?
Typically, insurance companies tend to consider dental crowns to be in the realm of important restorative care, just like fillings or root canals. For that reason, your dental plan should cover at least a portion of the cost of treatment, provided you haven’t hit your yearly maximum yet.
Every dental plan is different, so it’s hard to say for sure whether your dental crowns will be paid for or not. We’ll be happy to work with you to maximize your benefits so you can get the care that you need.
Other Options for Making Dental Crowns Affordable
If you have hit your yearly maximum, or if you think that your dental plan won’t pay for care, that doesn’t mean that you have to endure the pain of a cracked or decayed tooth. We also offer financing options to make necessary care more affordable for patients.
For balances between $300 and $4000, we typically recommend patients make use of health financing through Wells Fargo. We’ll be happy to discuss the application process when you’re in our office, and our staff can walk you through the paperwork.
If you know you need a dental crown, there’s no reason to let cost get in the way. Schedule a consultation with us today and we’ll take the time to talk about your options.
Dental Crowns FAQs
Dental crowns in Toledo have been used for generations to restore healthy, beautiful smiles. Although they've been used for decades, it's normal to have a few concerns about the road ahead. Don't worry because Dr. Thomas will explain everything during your initial consultation. Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions while you wait for your appointment.
Which Materials Are Used for Dental Crowns?
You don't have to worry about a dark restoration sticking out like a sore thumb because Dr. Thomas uses natural-looking materials. Typically, our crowns are made from eMax (lithium disilicate) when treating anteriors and premolars. Zirconia is used on the molars because of its strength. Dr. Thomas can also make gold crowns by request because of the large up charge. He will help you choose the best material for your needs and budget.
Do You Provide CEREC Same-Day Crowns?
Our office doesn't offer CEREC crowns. Instead, we use D.H. Dental Lab up in Traverse City, Michigan because their work is consistently excellent. We always tell our patients that we prefer a skilled, artistic human being to hand-make their crowns versus a milling machine.
Are Dental Crowns Permanent?
Dental crowns are meant to provide long-lasting results, but they aren't permanent. Various factors affect the life expectancy of a crown, like the materials used, the location of the restoration, and your oral hygiene habits. Most crowns last for about 10 years before needing to be replaced, but it's not uncommon for them to thrive for much longer with the correct care, like brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist regularly. Dr. Thomas will explain how to get the most from your investment, like limiting hard or chewy foods and breaking any bad oral habits.
Does It Hurt to Get a Dental Crown?
Your dentist in Toledo, Dr. Thomas, will keep your comfort as his priority. Although it isn't always necessary, a local numbing agent can be used while your tooth is prepared. You won't feel anything during your procedure, but your tooth can be a little tender for a few days after the effects of any numbing medications dissipate. You can manage your discomfort using an over-the-counter pain reliever. It's best to eat soft foods until any tenderness subsides. In just a few days, you may forget that your crown isn't part of your natural smile.
What Are the Signs You Need a Replacement?
No matter how well you care for your crown, there will come a time when it needs to be replaced. Semi-annual checkups with your dentist allow Dr. Thomas to check your restoration at each appointment. He can detect the earliest signs of crown failure to prevent a minor issue from turning into a big problem. If you notice any symptoms or changes in between your regular appointments, contact our office right away, like pain when placing pressure on the tooth, a receding gum line, or your restoration falls off. He can provide you with the replacement you need to ensure your tooth is protected.