Dental Crowns

What Are Dental Crowns?

Crown restorations are custom-designed to blend beautifully with the surrounding teeth and are often placed to fix teeth that are fractured, have dental cavities, are oddly shaped, or have other forms of oral damage. Crowns may also be melded into an appliance to function as a dental bridge or positioned over dental implants to restore a tooth that is missing. Schedule an appointment with our dental practitioners at Advanced Smiles to decide if a custom dental crown can boost your oral health and smile.

What Are the Benefits of a Dental Crown?

A dental crown in Frisco, TX at Advanced Smiles provides many great benefits to restore and strengthen your smile, including:

• Offers multiple custom crown options
• Preserves damaged and/or decayed teeth
• Strengthens a weakened tooth
• Improves bite strength and function
• Looks like a natural tooth
• Reduces pain and sensitivity
• Crowns are durable and long-lasting

What to Expect After Dental Crowns

Once your permanent dental crown has been placed, you'll care for it just like you would your natural teeth - with brushing, flossing, and rinsing twice daily. It takes about one day for the bonding agent to fully cure, so it's best to stick with soft foods for about 24 hours. In the next few days or weeks after your treatment is complete, you may have sensitivity, tenderness, and soreness, but these should resolve quickly and allow you to begin enjoying your favorite foods and beverages.

Still, you'll want to avoid overly hard, sticky, and crunchy foods - along with staining beverages like tea and coffee - to keep your dental crowns strong, healthy, and beautiful for as long as possible.

Am I a Candidate for a Dental Crown?

Frisco, TX women and men might benefit from having a crown restoration performed to fix various dental conditions, improve their bite function, and enhance the aesthetics of a tooth. Some of the more common reasons for placing a dental crown include:

• Cracked or fractured teeth
• Severely worn or eroded teeth
• Teeth that are misshapen or discolored
• Significant decay
• Teeth with large, failing fillings
• Teeth treated with a root canal
• Dental bridges for replacing missing teeth
• To finish a single dental implant

At Advanced Smiles, custom crown restorations can be performed for the front or back teeth, and might be created from top-grade ceramic or additional cosmetic materials, porcelain fused to a metal substrate, or a high-noble metal (like gold). Dr. De Paoli can evaluate your tooth or teeth and help you choose the ideal type of crown procedure for your personal dental needs and aesthetic goals.

The Dental Crown Procedure

Dental crown procedures for Frisco, TX individuals typically take place in two phases. During the first appointment, Dr. De Paoli will anesthetize your mouth and can provide sedation dentistry to elevate your comfort level if you desire. When the damaged portion has been cleared away, a professional dental laboratory will capture and utilize an impression of the treated tooth to generate your unique restoration.

A provisional restoration will be worn on your treated tooth to allow for oral function and a natural appearance while your custom dental crown is being constructed. We will have you come back into Advanced Smiles about 14 – 21 days later so that you can have the temporary taken off and your new dental crown bonded to your tooth or dental implant.

Custom Dental Crowns

There are many dental complications that could be best taken care of with a crown from our Frisco, TX practice. A dental crown may help prevent additional damage while providing your normal oral function and an improved cosmetic appearance for your tooth. Reach out to Advanced Smiles to book a consult with our dentist, and determine if a crown or another restorative solution is ideal for your oral health.

Dental Crowns FAQs

Are dental crowns covered by my insurance?

Part of the dental crown restoration cost could be paid for by your dental insurance benefits. Before your treatment, our billing staff will reach out to yourdental insurance carrier and help maximize your treatment coverage. To help make covering any out-of-pocket costs more budget-friendly for individuals, Advanced Smiles proudly accepts a range of payment methods, including flexible dental financing.

How much do dental crowns cost?

The total cost of dental crowns will differ from one patient to another. This could depend on a number of factors. During your initial consultation, our staff will listen to your concerns and assess the health of your teeth to create a personalized treatment plan. At that point, we’ll be able to provide a more estimate of the total price for dental crowns.

How do I choose between crowns vs. veneers?

The decision depends on your dental needs and goals. Veneers are generally used for cosmetic improvements when the tooth underneath is healthy, while crowns are better suited for teeth that are weakened, cracked, or have large fillings. Crowns provide both strength and aesthetics, while veneers primarily focus on appearance. Our team will evaluate your teeth and help determine which option will give you the best balance of function and a natural look.

Will a single crown look out of place next to my natural teeth?

Modern crowns are carefully designed to blend seamlessly with surrounding teeth. The shade, shape, and size are customized to match your natural smile, making a single crown virtually indistinguishable. With today’s advanced materials and techniques, most patients find their crown looks and feels just like a natural tooth.

What happens if I break a dental crown?

If a crown breaks or chips, it’s important to contact our office promptly. Depending on the damage, the crown may be repaired or replaced. In the meantime, avoid chewing on that side of your mouth to prevent further damage. Our specialists will assess the situation and restore your crown so your tooth is once again protected and functional.

Is it painful to get a dental crown?

Getting a dental crown typically involves numbing the treatment area with a local anesthetic, so patients should not feel any pain during the procedure. Some people may experience sensitivity or discomfort after the procedure, but this usually disappears or dissipates within a few days.

How should I care for my dental crown?

You should care for a crown just as you would for your regular teeth — by brushing twice a day and flossing daily to prevent decay from forming around the crown. Advanced Smiles also recommends avoiding chewing hard or sticky foods, which can damage or displace the crown. Regular dental check-ups and cleanings with Dr. De Paoli can also help to prolong the life of your crown.

How long do dental crowns last?

Dental crowns can last 15 years or longer if properly maintained with optimal oral health practices.