Dental Crowns

Dental Crowns in Kent and Stamford CT

Repair Damaged Teeth

If you’ve experienced tooth damage due to decay or oral injury, consider a dental crown in Kent  and Stamford, CT with Dr. Byungchul Park or Dr. Gitae Kwon. A crown can shield the affected tooth, preventing additional harm and enhancing your bite and smile. Discover more details here or reach out to us for a consultation.

Our high rated and trusted dentists in the Stamford nearby surrounding area can help with your dental crowns and getting you a quality dental experience with a great value.

What Are Dental Crowns?

Dental crowns are artificial tooth covers that are custom-made to encase and shield the entire tooth. Initially, the tooth is shaped using a dental drill, and a crown is crafted from robust porcelain material. This crown closely resembles a natural tooth in look and texture. It is permanently affixed onto the tooth structure, concealing it entirely.

By doing so, the shape, function, and aesthetics of the tooth are revitalized, while also providing protection against decay and oral injuries. Our Stamford dentists can promptly renew your smile’s radiance and restore the natural biting ability with a crown.

What Are the Benefits of Dental Crowns?

Enhancing both the appearance and functionality of your smile, dental crowns can cover discolored or damaged teeth that detract from your smile’s aesthetics. Additionally, a crown provides protection, durability, and strength to weakened, chipped, or broken teeth, allowing you to chew without worry about causing damage.

Without a dental crown, a severely damaged or decayed tooth could lead to infection and potential tooth loss. Furthermore, dental crowns serve to hold a fractured tooth together, preventing it from disintegrating.

Choosing a crown to safeguard a tooth is a cost-effective, time-efficient, and minimally invasive alternative to undergoing tooth replacement. Adaptable and available in various materials, from aesthetically pleasing to highly robust options, crowns effectively address a range of dental concerns.

Porcelain and ceramic crowns seamlessly blend with natural teeth, creating a flawless smile, while metal and zirconia crowns can offer longevity for up to 20 years.

Signs That You Need a Dental Crown

If you have a significant cavity that cannot be treated with a filling, a dental crown from our Kent office is likely necessary. Fillings are suitable only for small to medium-sized cavities, lacking the strength needed to restore severely damaged teeth.

A dental crown may also be needed if a tooth has a substantial chip or crack caused by dental trauma or prolonged teeth grinding. While cosmetic options such as veneers and bonding can address minor damage, crowns are essential for deep damage that may pose additional oral health risks.

How Long

Do Dental Crowns Last?

Dental crowns are designed for longevity. By maintaining a consistent oral care routine of brushing twice daily, flossing once a day, and visiting the Stamford team at Clear Smile Dental Studio every 6 months, your crown can typically endure for 10 to 20 years, with some patients even surpassing this timeframe. Should your crown sustain any cracks or damage, prompt replacement is crucial to safeguard your oral well-being. This underscores the significance of attending a biannual exam with Dr. Park or Dr. Kwon. During these appointments, your teeth, crowns, and other dental work will be assessed to ensure their condition remains favorable and any potential issues are detected early on.

What to Expect

The Dental Crown Process

Initially, Dr. Park or Dr. Kwon will sanitize and numb your oral cavity. Should you wish, sedation can also be provided. Subsequently, a dental drill will be used to prepare your tooth. Any compromised sections on the tooth’s surface will be eliminated by either Dr. Park or Dr. Kwon, who will then shape it into a robust and secure base for the crown.

Following the tooth preparation, dental impressions will be taken by Dr. Park or Dr. Kwon for the creation of your permanent crown at a dental laboratory. A temporary crown will be affixed to your tooth before you depart.

You will return to our Stamford office in approximately 2-3 weeks for the placement of your permanent crown. Dr. Kwon or Dr. Park will ensure that the crown fits perfectly before bonding it permanently in place.

Understanding Cost

Are Dental Crowns Covered by Insurance?

Indeed, dental crowns are classified as major or restorative dental procedures typically eligible for insurance coverage of up to 50% of the total cost. Nonetheless, there are certain conditions that apply. Dental insurance providers will only cover the cost of dental crowns if deemed medically necessary.

Acceptable justifications may involve stabilizing a fractured tooth or shielding a compromised or decayed tooth from further harm. Insurance does not extend coverage to procedures conducted solely for cosmetic purposes, meaning cosmetic crowns are excluded.

It is imperative to consider any annual caps and waiting periods stipulated by your insurance plan. Additionally, some insurance companies may limit coverage to specific crown materials. For detailed information on crown coverage specifics, it is recommended to contact your insurance provider directly.

At Clear Smile Dental Studio, most insurance plans and Medicaid are accepted. For those without insurance, we present flexible financing alternatives through CareCredit or Chewsi.

Longevity of Dental Crowns

How Many times Can a Crown Be Replaced?

Crowns do not last indefinitely and will require frequent replacement. There are situations where it may become impossible to replace a crown due to insufficient tooth structure for stability.

On average, crowns have a lifespan of 5 to 15 years, and may need earlier replacement if damaged, due to receding gums, for cosmetic reasons, or to address underlying decay. Typically, crown replacement can be done seamlessly in these scenarios.

However, in cases of underlying decay, more tooth structure removal is necessary, potentially compromising the support for the crown over time. In such instances, opting for a dental implant or bridge might be more suitable. To discuss crown replacement options, schedule a consultation with Dr. Park or Dr. Kwon today.

What Issues Can Dental Crowns Treat?

Dental crowns offer a versatile solution for addressing a variety of dental issues, both restorative and cosmetic in nature. Serving as a protective cap for weakened teeth, crowns can effectively safeguard them from further damage or potential extraction. Additionally, they play a crucial role in dental restorations by replacing missing teeth and enhancing the aesthetics of the smile.

Crowns are particularly beneficial for teeth with extensive fillings, as they help reinforce the structure and prevent breakage. In the past, severely fractured teeth often required extraction, but with the use of crowns, the integrity of the tooth can be preserved. By securely encapsulating the tooth in a durable artificial cap, crowns ensure that chewing functionality is maintained, reducing the risk of bone loss, facial changes, and future tooth loss associated with missing teeth.

How Do I Care For My Dental Crowns?

Oral Care – While crowns can offer protection, they cannot prevent tooth decay or gum disease if you neglect your oral hygiene. They should complement, not replace, your daily routine. Brush with fluoride toothpaste twice daily for at least two minutes and floss at least once a day to minimize food particles and plaque buildup. Decay near the gum line can still affect a crowned tooth, potentially necessitating crown removal for treatment. As crowns can be a significant investment, prevention is preferable to restoration.

Avoid Damage – Like natural teeth, crowns can chip, crack, or break, especially those made of delicate materials like porcelain. To reduce the risk of damage, steer clear of hard or sticky foods that can harm or dislodge the crown. Teeth grinding exerts excessive force that can harm both natural teeth and restorations; wearing a mouthguard while sleeping is recommended. Refrain from using teeth for non-biting purposes to prevent accidental damage to both crowns and natural teeth.

Stain Prevention – To ward off discoloration on crowns, avoid foods and drinks known to cause stains, particularly highly pigmented or acidic items. Common culprits include coffee, tea, soda, berries, and soy sauce. Drinking through a straw or rinsing your mouth with water after consuming staining substances can help prevent discoloration. Given that crowns are unresponsive to whitening treatments, stain prevention plays a crucial role in maintaining their appearance over time.

Regular Checkups – Biannual dental cleanings and checkups are essential for tartar and plaque removal, surface stain prevention, and overall oral health monitoring, including the condition of your crowns. Because crowns have a limited lifespan, your dentist will assess their condition continuously and recommend replacement as needed. Schedule a checkup with one of our dentists today to maintain the health and longevity of your crowns.