Dental Crowns – Aspen Hill, MD

Protecting Teeth and Strengthening Smiles

Dental crowns in Aspen Hill have come a long way. In the past, protecting weakened teeth required using traditional amalgam, leaving you with a gleaming spotlight that shined brightly when smiling, speaking, or eating. Now, you can opt for a restoration that is color-matched and blends in with the rest of your smile. Offering greater durability, protection, and a more pleasing appearance, the dental crowns used at the Dental Center of Aspen Hill can give you the help you need without compromising your aesthetics. Contact our office to find out more about these beneficial restorations.

Why Choose Dental Center of Aspen Hill for Dental Crowns?

Customized restorations designed to match your natural smile
Qualified professionals who are equipped to provide personalized treatment
Advanced technology used to generate more accurate impressions

What is a Dental Crown?

A middle-aged woman wearing a button-down shirt and smiling after receiving her dental crowns in Aspen Hill

It is believed that dental crowns have been around since 200 A.D. While early civilizations used everything from gold, ivory, bone, and human and animal teeth, the good news is these dental restorations have evolved and are now created using traditional amalgam (i.e. gold or silver) or ceramic.

Also referred to as “caps,” dental crowns fit over a severely decayed or damaged tooth as a way to protect and shield it from further harm or reinfection.

Who is a Good Candidate for a Dental Crown?

A digital image of a custom dental crown going on over a prepped tooth on the lower arch

When arriving at our office to inquire whether you are eligible for a dental crown, our team of professionals will first need to examine your smile. If you are experiencing any of the following situations, there is a good chance you will be a likely candidate for a dental crown:

Severe decay that cannot be remedied with a filling
A chipped or broken tooth in Aspen Hill
A large filling is damaging the already weakened tooth
You’ve recently had a root canal or dental implant put into place
There is discoloration or a tooth a severely misshapen

The Dental Crown Process

A young woman smiling with her mouth open while a dentist prepares to examine her smile

The process begins with an initial examination by your dentist. During this visit, we will use an intraoral camera to look closely at your teeth and project these images onto a nearby screen. This will allow us to go over the problem tooth and recommend the right method of treatment.

Once you arrive to have your tooth cleaned and filled, we will start by administering a numbing agent to keep you comfortable throughout the procedure. We will then begin to clean out the decayed areas of your tooth before filling it with a composite resin that provides a tight seal and prevents any bacteria from re-entering the tooth. Next, we will “prep” the tooth by filing it down and making sure it is ready for your dental crown.

Using a digital impression system, we will capture a high-resolution image that ensures greater accuracy when lab technicians begin to craft your custom crown. While you wait to receive your permanent restoration, you will receive a temporary crown to wear in the meantime. Once your final prosthetic is ready, you will return to have your temporary removed and your permanent one cemented into place.

What Are the Benefits to Dental Crowns?

A dentist shows an older, male patient his dental X-Rays and where the necessary dental crown will be placed

Improved appearance
Boosted confidence
Easy to maintain and keep clean using regular oral hygiene tools at home (i.e. toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss)
Minimized risk of infection or additional damage to the weakened tooth
Only require 2-3 visits to receive the final restoration
Are capable of lasting decades or more with proper care and maintenance

Understanding the Cost of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns have been used for generations to repair damaged teeth. They offer preventive, cosmetic, and restorative benefits; however, they are attributed with a hefty price tag. Many factors affect the cost of dental crowns in Aspen Hill, but we strive to keep them affordable for everyone. Your dentist at Dental Center in Aspen Hill will create a personalized plan that fits your budget, so nothing stands in the way of a healthy, beautiful smile.

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Factors That Affect the Cost of Dental Crowns

Every mouth is as unique as fingerprints, and every situation differs. Therefore, there’s no one-size-fits-all restoration. Instead, it’s carefully crafted to fit over your tooth like a glove using a treatment plan catering to your needs. You can expect your estimate to include:

Prep Work: It’s not uncommon to need a little prep work, like root canal therapy.
Materials: Crowns can be made of many materials, including metals and ceramics. Besides the type of material, the quality will also influence the amount you’ll pay. Although discounted materials are available, they may not be as durable.
Numbing Agent: Depending on your needs, your dentist may use a local numbing agent to keep you comfortable.

We will provide you with a personalized estimate and explain the fees, so you’ll know exactly what you’ll have to pay before committing to anything.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Crowns?

Most dental plans can be used to offset the cost of dental crowns, if medically necessary. Your coverage can be used for many aspects of your treatment, like your consultation, imaging, impressions, preliminary treatments, and the crown. Your insurance can pay 50% to 80% of the cost after meeting your annual deductible. We will help you maximize your yearly allowance to lower the amount you’ll pay out-of-pocket. We’ll work on your behalf with your dental insurance, so you have one less thing on your plate. A member of our team will explain how your coverage is being used and your options for any remaining balance.

Options for Making Dental Crowns Affordable

Your financial situation should never prevent you from getting the high-quality restoration you need. Our office offers many financial solutions to keep dental crowns affordable, including:

Traditional Payments: We accept all traditional payment methods, including cash, personal checks, and credit cards.
Membership Club: Benefit from discounted services by joining our in-house membership plan. It’s a great option for patients without insurance.
Offers & Promotions: We offer regular specials for select services to help your patients save money.
Monthly Payments: You can pay any out-of-pocket expenses using a monthly payment plan through a third-party financing company. You can benefit from little or no interest in financing based on your credit approval.

If you have any questions about your payment options, or you’re ready to schedule an appointment, contact our office today. We look forward to enhancing your smile with a high-quality dental crown.

Dental Crown FAQs

Man with orange question mark and questions about dental crowns in Aspen Hill

When it comes to protecting teeth and strengthening smiles, dental crowns are the most reliable and versatile option. They’re an excellent way to restore the appearance and function of your pearly whites while preventing future issues. To help you learn more about these common restorations, we’ve gathered a few of the most common dental crown FAQs in Aspen Hill for you to look over. If you still have questions afterwards, don’t hesitate to give us a call and we’ll be happy to help!

Will My Dental Crown Be Noticeable?

If you chose to restore your smile with a porcelain dental crown, you can expect durable and beautiful results. This high-quality material is well-known for how well it mimics the appearance of healthy tooth enamel. Dental porcelain is also reliably strong and resistant to stains. What’s more, it will be shaded to match the color of the rest of your teeth, so it should blend in seamlessly with the rest of your smile.

Does Getting a Dental Crown Hurt?

Since a dental crown fits over the entire visible portion of your tooth, we’ll likely need to make room for it. We’ll prepare the tooth by cleaning out any decayed tissue and removing a small amount of enamel. While this may sound daunting at first, there’s no need to worry. We use a professional-grade local anesthetic to ensure that area of your mouth is entirely numb during your procedure. You may experience some mild tooth sensitivity for a day or two after your treatment, but it should be easy to manage and short-lived.

Can a Crowned Tooth Get a Cavity?

Your dental crown itself won’t be able to develop a cavity, but that doesn’t mean you can slack off on your oral hygiene! If plaque and bacteria are allowed to build up on your gums and along the rim of your dental crown, they could potentially slip under its edge and get to the vulnerable tooth underneath. Remember, since this tooth had some enamel removed, it’s especially prone to the damage and infection these harmful particles can cause. Thankfully, you can easily keep your smile safe and healthy with a few simple habits! Just remember to brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash daily.

How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?

Thanks to state-of-the-art equipment and reliable materials, dental crowns last for an average of about 15 years. However, how you take care of your restoration will ultimately determine how long it lasts. For example, some bad habits can dramatically weaken your dental crown or cause it to break. On the other hand, you can make the most of your dental crown and possibly even extend its lifespan by:

Thoroughly brushing and flossing all your teeth every day.
Wearing a custom nightguard if you have bruxism (grind your teeth in your sleep).
Refraining from chewing on hard objects like ice, pen caps, or your fingernails.
Visiting us twice a year for your routine dental checkups and cleanings.

Remember, teeth can’t heal themselves, so it’s important not to put off getting a dental crown if you need one. To learn more or schedule your next appointment, give us a call today!