Dental Crowns in Highland Park, NJ
Repair Damaged Teeth With Our Best Highland Park Dentist
Over time, our teeth weaken and become more susceptible to problems such as decay, cracks, discoloration, and others. If our Highland Park, NJ, cosmetic dentist, Dr. Yan Gu, notices a tooth is decayed or appears weakened or cracked, she can provide a dental crown.
If you feel your smile isn’t what it once was, dental crowns can help restore your smile. A crown may be necessary to ensure there are no additional problems with the tooth in cases where dental filling or bonding isn’t sufficient.
A dental crown, or a dental cap, is a restoration that surrounds a tooth to restore its shape, size, and strength. Crowns are made of materials like porcelain, ceramic, and metal alloys. To maintain a natural look and feel, a porcelain finished crown is best because it can match the shade of your other teeth. This allows it to blend in and look just like one of your natural teeth.
When Are Dental Crowns Necessary?
There are several reasons why someone may need a dental crown:
- Repair a broken or cracked tooth
- Restore a tooth worn down due to grinding or excessive use
- Cover and support a tooth with a large filling
- Hold a dental bridge in place
- Cover misshapen or discolored teeth
Dental Crown Procedure Process
Getting a dental crown involves several steps over multiple dental visits:
The damaged tooth is numbed with a local anesthetic and filed down by Dr. Gu to remove decay and make room for the crown. She’ll then shape and taper the tooth to securely fit the crown before taking impressions of the prepared tooth and surrounding teeth to check the crown’s fit.
If a large portion is missing, the tooth may be built up with filling material to support the crown. A temporary crown is made of acrylic or plastic and cemented onto the tooth with temporary cement. This protects the tooth for the two to three weeks it takes to make the permanent crown.
Permanent Crown Fabrication
The dental impressions are sent to a dental lab where specialists fabricate your custom permanent crown. Porcelain is layered and fired onto a metal alloy base or milled from a solid ceramic block to create the anatomy.
When these restorations arrive at our Highland Park dental office, Dr. Gu will evaluate the finish crown’s fit, shape, color, and occlusion compared to the surrounding teeth. She’ll make any necessary adjustments until your crown integrates properly with the bite.
When you return to our office for your placement appointment, Dr. Gu will remove the temporary crown. She’ll place the permanent crown to check for proper fit and aesthetics and then cement onto the prepared tooth with strong permanent dental cement. Dr. Gu will then check if you can bite down properly without any high spots. She’ll make any final adjustments before leaving our office with a new smile.
With good oral care, the crown can last five to 15 years or longer before needing a new replacement. Scheduling regular dental visits helps maximize crown longevity.
There are various crown types:
- Porcelain fused to metal — Most common, very durable
- All-ceramic/all-porcelain — Most natural-looking, translucent
- Gold alloys — Excellent durability and biocompatibility
Advantages of Crowns
Benefits of dental crowns at our Highland Park dental office include:
- Restore damaged teeth to full function and aesthetics.
- Prevent fractured teeth from further damage.
- Improve the appearance of discolored or misshapen teeth
- Anchor dental bridges
Dental Crown Care Tips
To maximize your dental crown longevity, you should:
- Brush and floss daily to prevent decay around crowns.
- Get regular dental checkups at Zen Dental of Highland Park.
- Avoid chewing excessively hard foods that can damage crowns.
- Wear a nightguard if you grind your teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do crowns feel natural?
A: Ceramic and porcelain crowns are customized to match your natural tooth color, shape, and size. After a brief adjustment period, they should feel natural. Let your dentist know if any issues with chewing or biting arise.
Q: Are dental crowns painful?
A: You may feel some sensitivity or discomfort during the tooth preparation and placement process, but this can be managed with a local anesthetic. Once the crown is in place, you shouldn’t feel any pain. Let your dentist know if any lingering pain occurs.
Q: Can you remove dental crowns yourself?
A: No, crowns are custom-cemented onto prepared teeth and should only be removed by a dentist to avoid damage. Don’t try to remove crowns at home, as this can further damage your crown, tooth, and gum.
Q: How much do dental crowns cost?
A: On average, crowns cost $800 to $1700 per tooth, depending on the material. Most insurance companies cover a portion or most of the dental crowns. Check with your dental insurance to confirm the coverage and benefits you can apply for. If the coverage isn’t enough, you can ask your dentist if their dental office provides in-house financing plans to help cover the cost.
Repair Your Smile with Custom Crowns
If you have a damaged, worn, or unsightly tooth, dental crowns may be the solution. Dr. Gu can create natural-looking crowns to restore teeth and create healthy, beautiful smiles.
To schedule a consultation and learn more about whether crowns are right for you, contact our office today at (732) 777-9077 or book your appointment online. We’re proud to provide the highest-quality periodontal treatments in Highland Park and surrounding areas like Bound Brook, Metuchen, and North Brunswick Township, NJ. We look forward to welcoming you!
Back