There is a cheaper alternative of prosthetic dentistry than teeth implants.

Here, we are going to discuss tooth crowns and tooth crown procedure in general, since there are so many people out there, with no knowledge about these who do understand why the dental crowns cost is so high.

What is a dental crown really and when do we need it?

A dental crown is a protecting “cap” that is bonded to a tooth that is crooked, chipped, damaged or missing (in this case it is bonded to two adjacent teeth).

Usually, we associate to something big, shiny (gold looking) and uncomfortable appliance, when we hear about a tooth crown.

Something like this, yuck!

But it doesn’t have to be like that! Crowns for teeth can be pretty easy-going, as they are hardly noticeable once we are used to them. Teeth crowns don’t have to be made of shiny material, usually they install porcelain crowns as standard. To ensure perfect comfort, dentists usually install a temporary crown before the permanent crown is glued to its place. If a more natural look is desired, a zircon crown, or as they are usually referred to, a zirconia crown is used, since this does not leave any black line at the gum level, like traditional crowns.

Just like real teeth

If you prefer to have your teeth ready in one sitting (with only one dentist visit needed), you can choose cerec crowns. This procedure is done in a single appointment, as the strong, tooth coloured ceramic materials are applied to your teeth immediately by the dentist. In this case, be prepared for a higher dental crown cost.

Having dental crowns is significantly lowers the cost of your dental restoration, because instead of paying the high cost of dental surgeries (when teeth implants are drilled into your jaw-bones), your teeth are JUST filed down, and a special dentist crown is fabricated to be bonded to it with the help of some cement or other kind of bonding material during the dental crown procedure.

This is what’s done to your teeth

1. At your first visit, a few X-rays are taken to check the roots and surrounding bone condition. Sometimes a root canal treatment is needed before the crown is placed on your tooth.
2. Next, your tooth and the gum tissue around the tooth is numbed with some small injections.
3. Then the tooth is filed down along the chewing surface and sides, in order to make room for the crown.
4. An impression is taken of the filed tooth. These impressions are sent to a dental laboratory where the crown is manufactured, and it is usually back with at your dentist within a week.
5. Your dentist installs a temporary crown (usually made of acrylic material) using temporary cement. You can go home now.
6. At your second visit, the dentist removes your temporary crown, and check the fit of the permanent crown by placing it over your filed tooth. You are now asked to close your jaws and tell your dentist about how it feels in your mouth.
7. If everything is found to be perfect, after a quick colour match, your new crown is permanently cemented in place. Usually there is no need of local anaesthetic at this point.

All this work is included, when the tooth crown cost is calculated.

The result is pretty impressive.