A natural tooth is comprised of two main parts: the root (below the gumline) and the crown (the white, visible portion you see above the gumline). When a tooth has been damaged from a cavity or fracture, Dr. Harder begins by assessing how much of the natural crown has been affected. If the damage is fairly minor, he can usually repair it with a filling. If it's more extensive, a dental crown may be necessary to restore the tooth's function and appearance. If any of your teeth are in need of repair, give us a call. As a dentist in Moses Lake with over 20 years of experience, Dr. Harder will recommend the ideal treatment for your smile!
Dental crowns are sometimes called “caps” because they fit snugly over the entire crown of a tooth. They completely replace any damaged tooth structure to enable your tooth to look and function normally again. Dr. Harder will carefully match the color of your crown to your existing smile so that it looks very natural. This way, no one but you and our team will know you’ve had dental work.
Here are just some of the issues that dental crowns in Moses Lake are perfect for:
Here are the basic steps involved in getting a dental crown:
Dental crowns last an average of 15-20 years with basic maintenance. Along with regular checkups and cleanings, make sure to practice good oral hygiene at home. Your crown itself won't develop a cavity, but the tooth underneath it can if the exposed enamel near the gumline isn't kept clean. It's also a good idea to wear a nightguard if you clench and grind to prevent chips and fractures.
Dental crowns are a great way to save badly damaged teeth and will give you a healthier smile for many years to come. If you have any questions or think you may need a dental crown, give us a call today!
One of the things we’ll need to discuss before you can get a dental crown is how much your restoration will cost. Your crown will be made with your unique smile in mind, so the final price will vary depending on what your needs are. We can help you make the best financial decision for your smile by creating an estimate at your initial consultation and discussing ways you can manage the overall cost, such as dental insurance and financing.
Obviously, if there are multiple teeth that need to be treated, you can expect to pay for more than one crown. However, there are several other factors that need to be accounted for as well:
It’s often hard to give a universal answer when it comes to dental insurance since there are many different plans to choose from. That said, if a crown is medically necessary, it will likely be covered by insurance. Coverage is often somewhere around 50% of the total cost. Don’t forget that you will typically need to meet a deductible before your dental plan starts paying for your treatment. Our team can clarify the details of your plan for you, and we can take care of any claims that need to be filed.
Are you having trouble paying the full cost of your dental crown all at once? You can pay in smaller installments instead by signing up for CareCredit financing. One of the advantages of CareCredit is that they have multiple plans to choose from, many of which have low to no interest.
Please let us know if you have concerns about being able to afford your dental crown. Our team members would be happy to help you apply for CareCredit, and they can gladly give you a detailed explanation of how financing works at our office.
As one of the most versatile treatments in the field of dentistry, dental crowns are also incredibly common. Chances are high that someone you know has at least one crown. That being said, you probably still have some questions before you commit to the treatment. Dr. Craig Harder will be sure to teach you all that you need to know when you visit him, but until then, we encourage you to read through this list of dental crown FAQs.
Technically, dental crowns in Moses Lake are not permanent, but they can protect your tooth for an average of 15 years or longer, provided you take good care of them. However, the process of preparing your tooth for the crown is irreversible – it involves removing a very small amount of enamel from your tooth, which does not grow back. From that point on, the tooth will always need some sort of restoration over it for protection. Keep in mind, though, that the crown should help the damaged underlying tooth avoid damage and help it last for much longer than it may have otherwise.
When preparing your tooth for a dental crown, the first step is always to numb your mouth with a local anesthetic. Dr. Harder will make sure you can’t feel a thing and that you’re fully comfortable before he begins. If you need a bit of help relaxing, or if you have difficulty getting numb, we may offer nitrous oxide sedation to make things easier for you.
After getting a dental crown, you may experience mild soreness or sensitivity in that tooth, but it should only last for a few days. During this period, feel free to take over-the-counter pain medications as directed by your doctor. Definitely give us a call if you experience pain that worsens instead of subsiding.
Once your permanent crown has been placed, it should feel just like any other tooth. In fact, that’s why we reshape your tooth prior to placing the crown; it prevents the restoration from sticking out compared to the rest of your teeth. Plus, our advanced digital dental scanner captures remarkably accurate impressions of your mouth, creating a precise model for your crown.
Generally, Dr. Harder will only recommend a crown if a tooth really needs it and can’t be repaired with more conservative methods. While you might be tempted to avoid scheduling the crown procedure, especially if the tooth isn’t bothering you, it’s better in the long run to get it taken care of sooner rather than later. If you were to wait too long, the tooth could sustain even more damage or decay. Eventually, the tooth might become so weak that it can’t support a crown; it may need root canal therapy or even an extraction! To preserve the tooth and help it stay as healthy as possible, we highly recommend scheduling your dental crown procedure soon after Dr. Harder lets you know that you need one.