Dental Crowns – Edison, NJ
Expertly Repairing Your Damaged Teeth
Smaller cavities and minor dental injuries can often be repaired with a filling. But what about more severe kinds of damage? In these cases, you’ll most likely need a dental crown to restore your tooth and keep your smile intact. Dr. Shah takes advantage of the latest technology to create long-lasting crowns that are personalized for each patient. Call Edison Prosthodontics today if you have a tooth that might need a crown soon.
Why Choose Edison Prosthodontics for Dental Crowns?
- Prosthodontist with Over 20 Years of Experience
- Highly Accurate, Putty-Free Digital Impressions
- Lifelike Porcelain and Ceramic Restorations
What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a cap that’s made to completely cover a natural tooth. This protects the tooth from further damage while also restoring its overall shape and size. You might need a dental crown if:
- You have a cavity that’s too large for a filling to fix.
- Your tooth has been badly cracked or fractured.
- You have a tooth that’s unusually worn down due to bruxism, overly harsh brushing, or exposure to acidic foods and beverages.
- You have just completed root canal treatment.
- Your tooth has been significantly weakened and needs a restoration to hold it together.
The Dental Crown Process
First, our team will examine your mouth and evaluate the tooth in question. We’ll narrow down what type of restoration is best for you based on your situation. If we decide that you need a dental crown, we’ll prepare the tooth by removing a small amount of enamel. Then we’ll use 3D digital imaging to create a virtual impression of your smile, which we’ll use to design your crown.
Our practice uses porcelain and ceramic to craft dental crowns. These materials can be shaded to match your natural enamel, allowing them to blend in seamlessly with the rest of your smile. Thanks to modern technology, we can create a porcelain or ceramic dental crown in just one day.
Once your crown is ready, we’ll place it on your tooth. We might have to make some last-minute adjustments to make sure that it fits properly in your mouth. After your crown has been cemented in place, you’ll be able to use it to bite and chew right away.
The Benefits of Getting a Dental Crown
There are many reasons why you should get a dental crown for a damaged tooth:
- The crown will protect the tooth from further harm and prevent any existing issues from growing worse.
- The crown will allow you to chew comfortably again without putting the tooth at risk.
- Dental crowns are highly versatile compared to other restorations and can be used in all kinds of situations.
- A dental crown made out of a tooth-colored material such as porcelain will blend in with your smile so well, most people won’t even be able to tell that it’s there.
- Dental crowns are highly durable and can last over 15 years as long as they receive basic maintenance like brushing and flossing.
Dental Crowns FAQs
Dental crowns can protect your damaged teeth while also enhancing the appearance of your smile. We’ll take the time to explain the advantages of dental crowns and the process of having them placed during your initial consultation. Of course, before you agree to the procedure, you’re likely to have some questions. The following FAQs cover some of the most common topics that patients ask us about when it comes to crowns. Please give us a call if there’s anything else you want to know.
How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?
Dental crowns normally last between 5 to 15 years. While the material used to make the crown can make a small difference, your lifestyle is one of the biggest factors in determining how long your restoration lasts. Your diet, oral hygiene, and oral habits (such as whether you bite your nails) can all affect the lifespan of your dental crown. We’ll give you advice for maintaining and protecting your crown to help it last as long as possible.
It's worth noting that crowns on the front teeth aren’t exposed to as much wear and tear as crowns on the molars. As such, you can often expect crowns near the front of your mouth to last slightly longer.
Do Dental Crowns Get Cavities?
The actual crown cannot get cavities since it isn’t made of enamel. It should be noted, though, that the tooth underneath the crown still has about the same risk of decay as the rest of your smile. If you don’t practice good oral hygiene, bacteria can travel underneath the crown to attack the tooth, resulting in cavities.
To keep a crowned tooth safe, you simply need to give it the same care as your other teeth. This means brushing two times a day, flossing daily, and scheduling dental checkups every six months.
Does It Hurt to Get a Dental Crown?
To prepare a tooth for a dental crown, some enamel has to be removed. Your mouth will be numbed for this procedure, and we may suggest sedation if you’re anxious about having dental work done. We might also numb your mouth when placing the crown, but this isn’t always necessary.
After the preparation step (and sometimes the placement step), your tooth may be somewhat sensitive. Usually, it should be mild enough that you can control it with over-the-counter medications. Please call our office if your discomfort grows worse over time.
Are Dental Crowns Covered by Insurance?
Most of the time, insurance will pay for dental crowns as long as there’s a medical reason for placing them, such as repairing a decayed tooth. Under many insurance plans, dental crowns are considered a major procedure, meaning coverage is usually around 50% after paying your deductible and before meeting your annual maximum. No two dental plans are alike, though, so make sure that you confirm your benefits with your insurance carrier first before you commit to having a crown placed.
