Dental Crowns in Connecticut
Dental crowns are a great restorative treatment that we offer our patients. They can help you to restore your smile and improve the appearance of your teeth. We will use a dental crown when a tooth has extensive damage or decay and has weakened its structure. The crowns can restore your tooth and help strengthen it again to give you a healthy smile and prevent tooth loss.
Who needs a dental crown?
A dental crown is an artificial tooth that covers the natural tooth and protects it from damage, decay, or injury. A crown can be used to restore broken teeth, fill gaps between your teeth, protect a root canal treatment area, cover a filling, or restore damaged areas of a tooth.
The most common reasons patients need these dental restorations are:
- To prevent further damage to a cracked, broken, or decayed tooth
- To improve appearance by covering discolored, misshapen, or stained teeth
- To strengthen weakened teeth
- To help keep a dental bridge in place
- To cover a dental implant or tooth post root canal
Types of Crowns
Dental crowns come in a variety of materials. No matter what you choose, you will first receive a temporary crown in your initial visit and come back for your custom-made permanent crown after it has been made in a dental laboratory.
Zirconia Crowns
Zirconia (zirconium oxide) is a ceramic material that looks like real enamel but is durable and also resistant to staining. They are color-matched to your natural tooth color so that they blend in with your smile and are natural-looking.
Porcelain Fused to Metal
These crowns are when the base of the crown is metal, but we fuse porcelain to the top of it to make it have a more natural appearance. These crowns are very durable and are more affordable than a fully zirconia ceramic crown.
Porcelain Crowns
Porcelain crowns are made out of high-quality materials that mimic the color, shape, and texture of natural teeth. Porcelain crowns are not as durable as zirconia but are ideal for front teeth due to their natural appearance.
Metal Crowns
Metal crowns are made out of metal alloys that have similar properties to porcelain crowns. Metal crowns are often used when there is extensive decay on a tooth or when a tooth is fractured. Metal crowns are less expensive than porcelain but are not aesthetically appealing for most patients. These are typically ideal for teeth further back in the mouth.
Oral Health Benefits of Dental Crowns
Crowns offer patients several benefits.
- Protect your natural tooth from breaking or cracking
- Cover up discolorations, stains, or other imperfections
- Improve the overall appearance of your smile
- Restore strength and function to a tooth
- Prevent future problems
Dental Crown FAQs
It depends on how well you take care of your crown. If you brush and floss regularly, eat healthy foods, avoid smoking, and come in for regular checkups, then your crown will likely last at least 15 years.
Cost varies depending on the extent of the damage to the tooth, the material used, and if you have multiple crowns placed. The average price for a single crown ranges from $1,000-$2,500.
You should continue to practice good oral hygiene habits and visit us every six months for routine cleanings and checkups. We may recommend additional procedures such as fluoride treatments or sealants to ensure your new crown stays strong.
A filling can only be used to repair small cracks, chips, and cavities in the outer layer of the tooth. It cannot restore the tooth’s structural integrity. On the other hand, a crown can protect the entire surface area of the tooth and provide support for the surrounding gum tissue.
Contact Our Office for an Appointment
Dental crowns are great for restoring your smile and can help protect and strengthen your teeth. They offer patients many benefits and can last for many years with proper care. If you’d like to learn more about our custom crowns, please give us a call today and schedule an appointment with our dental team.
