Dental crowns (“caps”) are protective covers that safeguard structurally weak teeth. Most are made of porcelains and ceramics, or occasionally gold. Instead of a filling or inlay that goes inside of teeth, crowns go over and around them. But the jump between a small routine filling and a full crown can seem like a big difference. How can you tell if you need a dental crown in Vista?
You Recently Had a Root Canal
When your tooth is treated with a root canal, the nerve inside of it is completely removed. There are no more blood vessels supplying the tooth structures, making your tooth essentially non-vital. This process prevents reinfection, but it also weakens the tooth overall. Applying heavy biting and chewing day after day will eventually cause the tooth to crack. It’s standard practice to go ahead and place a crown over the root canal treated tooth, to prevent breakage after your endodontic procedure. Only in limited situations can a crown be waived.
There is an Old, Large, Leaky Filling
Dental fillings only last for so long. Eventually, the margins around the edges of the filling can create an open space where bacteria can leak underneath. If you have a large, old, silver filling, you’ll need to have it removed and the area underneath cleaned out. But because these restorations take up so much tooth structure, you might not have enough left to support a new filling in its place. It’s best to get a dental crown instead. The “cap” will help to reinforce what healthy tooth structure is left.
What is the average cost of a dental crown compared to a filling? Usually more than double. However, much of it depends on the materials and lab used, as well as your insurance coverage. Our patient coordinators will be able to provide you with a detailed cost estimate after we’ve examined your tooth and verified your insurance coverage.
Your Tooth is Significantly Fractured
If you have a severely chipped or broken tooth, bonding and veneers won’t correct it. What does a dental crown look like? A natural tooth! Covering your cracked tooth with a crown will serve both a restorative and cosmetic purpose. Since the crown is durable, you can eat with that tooth again. And each of our Vista crowns are crafted in a way that aesthetically enhances your overall smile.
Sometimes, fractured teeth are extremely difficult to identify because of microscopic cracks. We can use a special aid to assess your tooth during your exam to screen for undiagnosed cracks. If it hurts to bite on your tooth or you feel pain when biting pressure is released, be sure to let us know.
You Have an Extremely Deep Cavity
Dental X-rays allow us to see further into a tooth than what’s possible during a visual exam. We frequently use X-rays to evaluate how large or deep cavities extend into your enamel and the layer of dentin underneath. Structurally, if you have a cavity, then you’ll need enough tooth around it to support a filling. But large fillings typically cannot withstand normal biting pressure without breaking the tooth around them. If the void below your enamel is too large to place a filling, then a dental crown is the next best choice.
Call Our Dentist in Vista
Ivory Pointe Dentistry believes that patient education is crucial to every stage of your smile restoration experience. From how much a dental crown costs to which dental crown is best for you, our team and dentist in Vista will explain each aspect of your care. We believe that you play a crucial role in co-planning your treatment alongside us.
If you have a broken, cracked, or sensitive tooth, contact us today to reserve an exam.
