What is a tooth crownA tooth crown is an artificial tooth covering. A tooth crown is a great way to protect your tooth from further damage. It completely covers the core of the tooth, protecting the top and the root from damage and decay. The whole visible portion of the tooth, both above and below the gum line, is covered by the cap. To the naked eye, however, it’s not obvious that anything has happened to your tooth at all. Caps can be made to look exactly like your other, natural teeth. Once your gums have healed, there’s nothing that would tell anyone that it’s not your natural tooth. That’s why caps are popular for front teeth and other, very visible portions of your mouth.

What is a partial crown?

A partial crown (also called an Onlay) is considered a stepping stone between crowns and regular fillings. Like a filling, an Onlay can be made of several different materials. Composite materials and gold are very common, but the most popular are tooth-colored porcelain. The porcelain option preserves the appearance of your tooth better than either of the other two options. Partial crowns cover a large portion of the tooth but not the entire thing, making them as realistic as possible. For this reason, Onlays help to improve your patients’ long-term comfort and happiness.

Partial crowns are used for very large areas of decay or damage to a tooth. When a tooth is so badly damaged that simply filling in the gaps isn’t enough, people turn to crowns or partial crowns. A crown covers the entire tooth. This requires undamaged or healthy parts of the tooth to be ground down so that the tooth can fit inside the cap of a crown. Usually, this results in very little tooth loss, since large portions of the tooth need to be replaced anyway. If the amount of healthy tooth that would have to be ground away is extensive, however, your dentist may opt for a partial crown instead. This allows you to keep more of your original tooth than before. This is a great option for people who prefer their smile as natural as possible.

 

How much are Crowns for teeth?

The cost of crowns can vary widely depending on several factors. First, there’s the matter of material. Porcelain crowns, the most popular choice and also the most expensive, can be made to match teeth very closely. When working with front teeth, a near perfect match is required. However, when working with molars and teeth further back in the mouth, an exact match isn’t quite as necessary.

Secondly, there’s the issue of insurance. Every dental plan treats crowns differently, with some providing more coverage for the cost of a crown than others. You’ll have to check with your insurance company and your dentist to see what the insurance company will pay for and what it won’t.

In general, you can expect to pay between $500 and $1700 per crown. This high price is backed up by the longevity and power of a crown. If you commit to basic oral hygiene, crowns can last decades and all but stop any other problems with your tooth.

Tooth crowns are the ultimate way to stop decay. While they range in price, and some can be quite pricey, porcelain crowns provide greater protection and can be made to look nearly identical to your real teeth. However, there are other options. Partial crowns are also used, especially if a full crown requires too much of healthy teeth to be removed. Don’t hesitate to contact our office. We can help you determine the best crown for your teeth.