Many of our patients looking for cosmetic dentistry solutions in Auburn wonder if they can get dental crowns. Let’s review what these solutions mean for you and what we can do if you need a crown on a front tooth.
Let’s review the various treatment considerations you should take into account.
Why Do You Need a Dental Crown?
You might want to ask your dentist in Auburn about a dental crown when you have crooked, broken, or discolored front teeth. Dental crowns are one of 5 solutions for fixing your chipped tooth. Such a treatment would undoubtedly grant you a lovely smile.
Upon your initial consultation with Dr. Luminita and her team, we will explore what treatments are available to you. Installing a dental crown requires drilling your tooth, so some patients might prefer a more conservative approach at first such as dental bonding (a white filling) or veneers.
These restoration options are great for front teeth and can last for several years with proper care. Please note that our team avoids placing porcelain veneers on a single tooth because matching the color can be extremely challenging.
What to Do if You Do Need a Dental Crown on Your Front Teeth?
If your front tooth really needs a crown, we will most often recommend a ceramic crown or Zirconia crown. These crowns are esthetic, long-lasting, and very strong.
Ceramic crowns also require less removal of tooth structure compared to traditional porcelain-fused to metal (PFM) crowns. And while there is nothing wrong with a PFM crown, we try to avoid them on front teeth because, over time, the metal edge may start to show at the gumline.
What Is the Cost of a Front Tooth Crown?
As with many of our personalized dental treatments, costs will vary depending on your needs. Generally, crowns may range in cost anywhere from $800 to $1700 depending on materials selected and quantity.
Another important factor is your dental insurance coverage. Make sure you get in touch with our team to check all the relevant financial information.
What Are Dental Crowns?
In the simplest of terms, a dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap we place over teeth that have suffered structural damage to cover any irregularities and restore their shape and function. These crowns cover all of the visible portions of a damaged tooth and are a popular option among patients who wish to recover their beautiful smiles.
How Do I Get a Dental Crown Installed on My Front Teeth?
The procedure for having a dental crown on the front tooth is the same as it is for having a crown on a back tooth. On the first appointment, we prepare the tooth for the crown, take a mold of the tooth, and place a temporary crown to cover the tooth. When you return for your second appointment, we remove the temporary crown, fit the definitive crown, and cement it in.
Your First Appointment
Good preparation here at Maidu Dental means taking a few dental x-rays to examine any hidden damage and check the roots of the tooth. If your doctor determines there’s additional and irreversible damage to the tooth’s pulp and surrounding bone structures, they may coordinate with an endodontist for a root canal treatment.
Don’t worry, it’s a standard procedure that relies on anesthesia to numb the area and extract infected tissues. Then comes a restorative filling that reinforces your tooth’s structural integrity. Once all is ready, we will need a model of your tooth. Fortunately, our state-of-the-art facilities rely on digital imaging instead of traditional impressions
Most of the back teeth crowns are made in the office using CAD/CAM technology, where a milling machine will make your crown while you are waiting, based on a 3D optical scan of your mouth.
You will get a temporary dental crown to protect the tooth while you wait for your next appointment. These temporary crowns are usually made using acrylics and they get bonded to your tooth with a limited-action bonding agent.
Here’s how you can care for that temporary dental crown:
- Avoid sticky foods that could pull on your temporary crown.
- Avoid chewing on the side of your mouth with the temporary crowns.
- Stay away from hard foods and raw fibrous vegetables.
- Be careful when using dental floss as pulling it may dislodge the dental crown
Your Second Appointment
When you return to our office, we will remove that temporary crown and get your permanent crown installed. You’ll have to make sure the color we choose is of your liking, and after a small dose of anesthesia, we will cement the dental crown in place.
Getting a Dental Crown for Your Front Teeth in Auburn, CA
If you have any questions about your front teeth or about crowns, please get in touch or give us a call to learn more.
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