Teeth are very strong, but they are not completed indestructible. There are all sorts of ways that teeth can become damaged, such as poor oral hygiene, a sports injury, or an unexpected accident. However, if your tooth has endured damage, it is left vulnerable and can become further harmed in the future. You could even end up with a serious dental emergency and need to have your tooth extracted. Fortunately, Dr. Alison Fitzgerald offers dental crowns in Tucson to protect damaged and compromised teeth. To learn more about dental crowns or to schedule an appointment, just give us a call!
Dental crowns are customized caps that re made to fit over the biting surface of your damaged or weakened teeth above the gumline. This restoration can be made from a wide variety of material, like gold, ceramic, and porcelain. Dental crowns are often times recommended for patients who are dealing with the following dental issues:
When you have a dental crown placed, you will be met with a relatively straightforward process that can typically be completed in just two appointments. First, Dr. Fitzgerald will take a look at your smile to ensure that a dental crown is the best solution. Your tooth will be prepared by having a thin layer of enamel removed from it to make room for the crown. Next, an impression is taken and sent to a dental laboratory where your crown will be crafted. In the meantime, we will provide you with a temporary dental crown so your tooth remains protected, and you will be able to get used to how your new crown will feel.
Dental crowns provide numerous benefits to patients with structurally compromised teeth. Here are just some of them:
Even if you’re eager to get dental crowns, you may worry about the price. That’s only natural – these prosthetic caps aren’t always cheap, after all. Still, the cost of dental crowns varies by patient. That fact means you’ll need to visit Dr. Fitzgerald in person for an estimate. Thankfully, however, the Sweet Smiles team will make your care budget-friendly. In particular, we’ll walk you through the financial details and our payment options. Keep reading to learn more, or call our office for more information!
When evaluating you for dental crowns, Dr. Fitzgerald will first give you an oral exam. She can assess factors that impact your treatment’s cost based on its results. These elements include:
As Dr. Fitzgerald explores the above with you, remember that cheap crowns aren’t always the best. Quality is vital for what goes into your mouth, and a low price reflects lesser goods. Therefore, choose a crown you trust will look and feel good for years.
As it happens, dental crowns are considered a major dental procedure. For that reason, most dental plans will cover roughly 50% of their cost. (Assuming, at least, that the crowns are medically necessary.)
All the same, keep in mind that exceptions exist. Your dental insurance may differ. So, confirm your benefits with your plan provider beforehand. Our dental team can even help you with that process if necessary.
Even without dental insurance, though, dental crowns can be affordable. A great many dental practices offer unique payment options for their patients. At Sweet Smiles Family Dentistry, for example, we provide the following:
Ultimately, Dr. Fitzgerald and the rest of Sweet Smiles would love to make your crowns fit your budget. That being said, learn more about the underlying financing by booking a visit with us today!
If you’re struggling with a cracked, decayed, or otherwise compromised tooth, then you might benefit from getting a dental crown. These protective caps can strengthen the structure as well as improve the overall appearance of your pearly whites. That said, it’s natural to want to know more about the treatment before committing to it. For this reason, our team has collected and responded to some of our most frequently asked questions about dental crowns in Tucson! This way you can feel more confident and well-informed about the procedure before visiting us. Read on or reach out to us today to learn more.
While these restorations are designed to be durable and long-lasting, you’ll eventually need to replace them. This means they aren’t considered a permanent solution for repairing a tooth. However, the procedure is irreversible since it involves removing a small amount of your enamel to make room for your restoration. After you’ve undergone the treatment, you’ll need to keep your tooth covered with a dental cap going forward. Still, you can expect a crown to last well over a decade with proper care, which should include regular oral hygiene and routine checkups and cleanings with your dentist.
Some patients assume they can hold off on getting a dental crown, even if they’ve been diagnosed with a cavity. Although you may not be experiencing any discomfort at the moment, it’s important to know that an oral health issue will not recover on its own. The longer you wait to address an underlying or developing problem, the more likely it’ll worsen over time. For this reason, it’s best to seek dental care sooner rather than later so that you can keep your smile healthy and happy.
Similar to other dental procedures like getting a filling, our team will ensure to numb your mouth before starting any work on your tooth. This will allow you to feel as comfortable as possible while your dentist prepares the tooth for your dental crown. While the procedure itself shouldn’t hurt, you might feel some mild sensitivity for several days afterward. The good news is that these sensations should be short-lived and can easily be alleviated with over-the-counter pain medications. But if any discomfort persists for too long or gets worse, be sure to notify us for help.
Though your dental crowns will be matched specifically to blend with the rest of your smile, they will not be made of the same organic material as your natural pearly whites. This means you won’t be able to whiten them like with the rest of your smile. Your enamel consists of tiny pores which allow bleaching agents to penetrate and blast away stains. Since dental crowns are non-porous, the whitening solution will have a difficult time removing discoloration. To lower the risk of staining your natural teeth, you’ll need to practice good oral hygiene. If you’d like to whiten your smile, talk to your dentist about getting this done before having your dental crown placed, so that your restoration can be color matched to your cosmetic results.
