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Porcelain Dental Crowns – New Lenox

Restore Hurting Teeth Functionally & Beautifully

 

When a natural tooth becomes chipped or fractured, the consequences can go far beyond simply being an eyesore. Significant pain may occur as well, especially when enjoying overly chewy foods. Your natural bite could also become dangerously unbalanced because the top and bottom rows of teeth no longer fit together properly. In order to rebuild what’s been lost, Dr. Albert, Dr. Snow, and Dr. Stylski strongly recommend a new porcelain crown. This restorative service helps to not only protect the damaged tooth but also bring back its natural shape and appearance. Please contact Atrium Family Dental of New Lenox if you’d like to schedule an appointment here in New Lenox, IL and learn whether or not a new crown could be right for you.

 

Why Choose Us for Porcelain Crowns?

  • 100% Personalized Smile Makeover Plans
  • Metal-Free Restorative Care
  • 3 Experienced & Highly Trained Dentists In-Office

What are Porcelain Dental Crowns?

Two dental crowns prior to placement

A porcelain dental crown (also sometimes referred to as a “cap”) is essentially a custom, tooth-shaped covering that is placed over the visible surfaces of a natural tooth. Once situated, it should be virtually undetectable when compared to the rest of a patient’s smile. While crowns are most commonly recommended to rejuvenate and support single teeth, they have other uses as well. Our dentists may recommend them for anchoring a traditional dental bridge in place or covering placed dental implants.

How are Porcelain Crowns Placed?

Dental crown in place within model smile

In most cases, the creation and placement of a brand-new porcelain crown requires at least two appointments here at Atrium Family Dental of New Lenox. First, any decayed portions of the dental structure will be carefully removed, and the tooth will be reshaped to accommodate the new addition. Impressions are then captured and sent to a trusted dental laboratory. Your brand-new porcelain crown will be beautifully customized to match the surrounding teeth in every way, from their color to their size to their overall shape. During this process, a temporary crown will be provided so that patients can continue to eat and speak normally without any disruptions to their daily routine.

The brand-new crown will typically be ready in just a couple of weeks. Once our dentists receive it from the lab, we will invite the patient back into the office and securely bond it into place while making any final adjustments. The surface will also be comprehensively buffed and polished so that it feels just like natural tooth enamel, and we will take the time to make sure it fits well within your natural bite too.

What are the Benefits of Porcelain Crowns?

Older man and woman smiling outside

Porcelain crowns come with several long-lasting benefits. Because they’re crafted from high-quality ceramic materials, their durability is surprisingly strong, allowing for normal chewing (although we do recommend that patients avoid extremely sticky and hard foods). The metal-free nature of the restoration is also highly pleasing from an aesthetic standpoint – it will blend in beautifully with the rest of your smile.

The placement of a new dental crown can successfully rescue natural teeth that would otherwise need to be extracted and replaced. This procedure is much less invasive, and your continuing oral health will benefit as well.

What are the Risks of Porcelain Dental Crowns?

Woman with beautiful healthy smile

There is very little risk involved when undergoing the placement of a porcelain crown with experienced dentists like Dr. Albert, Dr. Snow, and Dr. Stylski. Patients may experience some slight sensitivity to overly hot or cold foods, and there is a chance that your bite could be negatively affected by the new addition. If this is the case, we will take the time to modify the crown so that the upper and lower rows of teeth fit together smoothly once more.

Over time, a porcelain crown may start to shift out of place or become dislodged. If you notice signs of this occurring, please let the Atrium Family Dental of New Lenox team know right away so that we can perform repairs or provide a replacement.

We look forward to welcoming new patients in for a restorative consultation soon. Don’t hesitate to contact our New Lenox, IL practice about ways to renew and revitalize your one-of-a-kind smile!

Understanding the Cost of Dental Crowns

A patient calculating the cost of dental crowns

Are you considering dental crowns for your smile? If so, you’re acting wisely – these dental caps protect and beautify your teeth! Still, you might worry about the cost of dental crowns in New Lenox. (They can’t help your grin if you can’t afford to buy them. ) Truthfully, though, a crown’s price varies by the patient; you’ll need to see our dentists for an estimate. Luckily, the team at Atrium Family Dental will strive to make your care affordable. Find out how by reading onward or calling us for details.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Dental Crowns

A lab worker processing a dental crown

At your consultation, our dentists will perform an oral exam. This assessment reviews (among other things) factors relevant to your treatment price. These include the following:

  • The Severity of Damage – A crown may cost more or less based on how your tooth is doing. For example, you’ll only need the cap if it has minor damage. Meanwhile, it may require preliminary work (root canal therapy, etc.) if it’s severely damaged. The latter scenario will be pricier.
  • Your Crown’s Material – Metallic crowns tend to be tacky and cheap. However, our tooth-colored ones are made from expensive porcelain.
  • How the Crown is Made  – Crowns made traditionally are fairly inexpensive. Those made with CEREC technology, though, cost more.

As we review these factors with you, remember that cheap crowns aren’t ideal. Your oral health depends on high-quality treatment, which often charges more. With that said, get a pretty, reliable crown that’s effective and long-lasting.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Crowns?

A dental insurance form on a wooden table

Crown placement is a major procedure, so dental insurance usually covers it. In fact, many policies offer partial coverage up to 50% of the treatment cost.

Of course, exceptions to this rule do exist. Perhaps your dental plan doesn’t cover crowns. On the other hand, maybe its coverage involves special rules. Given these possibilities, confirm your benefits before pursuing treatment. Our office can even help you do so.

Other Options for Making Dental Crowns Affordable

A woman using a credit card to pay the cost of dental crowns

Besides insurance, there are other ways to make crowns affordable. Many dental practices offer helpful payment options. With the right one, even an expensive crown can be budget-friendly.

Look at our own Atrium Family Dental, for instance. We happen to offer:

  • In-House Membership Plans – By paying a small monthly fee, our office’s Smile Saver Club will take 10% off your crown procedure.
  • Flexible Financing – Atrium Family Dental works with CareCredit, a reputable third-party financier. Through them, you could pay for a crown with low-interest, monthly installments.

Ultimately, our team wants to make your crown effective and affordable. That being the case, learn more about financing treatment by booking a consultation soon!

Dental Crowns FAQs

actual dental crowns in New Lenox

Interested in getting a dental crown from your restorative dentist in New Lenox? From improving your appearance to protecting your tooth and offering durability, there’s a lot to like about adding a crown to your smile. At Atrium Family Dental of New Lenox, we’ll go over all the details of this choice during your consultation so you can feel confident in your decision. Before you even sit down with our dentist, keep reading to check out some frequently asked questions from our patients about dental crowns.

Do Dental Crowns Get Cavities?

While it’s technically impossible for a crown to develop a cavity, the tooth underneath it still could. A crowned tooth has a similar risk of decay compared to an uncrowned one. Poor oral hygiene makes it possible for bacteria and plaque to form where the tooth meets the crown; if they spread underneath the crown, it could mean major trouble for the tooth. Cavity prevention for crowned teeth is the same method as uncrowned – daily brushing and flossing with regular checkups and cleanings.

Does It Hurt to Get a Dental Crown?

Your dentist numbs the tooth they need to work on with a topical anesthetic when you get a crown. After your tooth is prepped for a crown, it may be sensitive for a few days, particularly if you also had a root canal. Since a crown protects a vulnerable tooth from damage, in the long run, it will likely prevent pain instead of causing any! 

What’s the Difference Between a Temporary Crown and a Permanent Crown?

As you might expect, a temporary crown is not meant to last a long time – just a few weeks while your permanent crown is fabricated in a lab. Temporary ones are made from inexpensive materials like acrylic or composite resin. They are bonded with weak cement, so removal is easy when it’s time for your permanent crown to be placed. With that being said, it’s important to brush and floss carefully to keep your temporary one from coming loose. Instead of pulling floss up and down, try to slide it in and out of the space. Don’t worry, you’ll be able to brush and floss normally with your permanent crown because it’s bonded with stronger cement and made of durable porcelain to withstand chewing and biting pressure for at least 5-10 years with proper care.

What Happens If You Wait Too Long to Get a Dental Crown?

Waiting too long to get dental crowns in New Lenox can have some detrimental consequences on your oral health and your wallet. For example, if the root of the problem is decay, the infection can continue to delve deeper into the tooth, increasing your risk of needing a root canal or an extraction. Therefore, it’s always best to schedule the procedure sooner rather than later.