Dental Crowns: Options, Procedures, and Benefits

If you've got a deep cavity, a broken tooth, or a chronic toothache, you may need to repair your tooth with a dental crown from Grove City Smiles. Led by Dr. Michael Pappas, our team uses the latest technology, advanced materials, and a patient-focused approach to ensure the best possible results.

With a dental crown, you can get out of pain, restore your natural bite function, and protect your tooth for the years and decades to come. Most importantly, almost all of our crown cases can be completed in a single visit using our advanced same-day technology. Not sure exactly what's involved in the process, or what types of crowns are available in Grove City from our office? In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore everything you need to know.

Quick Overview: Same-Day Crown Treatment

• Same-day completion: Almost all crown cases finished in one 1-2 hour visit
• Advanced technology: CAD/CAM equipment creates precise, custom crowns on-site
• No temporary crowns: Walk out with your permanent restoration the same day
• Multiple materials available: Ceramic, porcelain, and zirconia options for same-day treatment
• Natural appearance: Computer-designed crowns match your existing teeth perfectly

What Are Dental Crowns? Explaining The Basics

Dental crowns are designed to cover up and restore damaged teeth. Whether you have a tooth with a deep cavity, a tooth infection, or you've cracked or broken a tooth, a crown can be used to restore its natural shape, appearance, and strength.

Crowns look just like real teeth, and are made from ceramic, metal, or a combination of both materials. During your visit to Grove City Smiles, your dentist will gently shape your tooth and create digital impressions of your smile to create a custom-fitted crown that fits perfectly over your existing tooth structure.

Once your crown is in place, your tooth will be just as strong and durable as it was before it was damaged. Not only that, but your smile will look completely natural, too, especially with the ceramic crown options available at our office.

Understanding The Importance And Benefits Of Dental Crowns

Not sure why you should get a dental crown in Grove City from Dr. Pappas and our team? Restoring damaged teeth with crowns is important for a lot of different reasons. Here's a quick look at the importance of tooth restoration, and the benefits you'll enjoy if you choose our office for dental crown treatment.

Prevents further complications and tooth loss

Damaged teeth won't get better on their own. If your tooth has extensive decay, is broken, or has been compromised by infection, the condition will only get worse the longer you wait for treatment.

That means that, in the future, a crown may no longer be an appropriate treatment. You may need a more costly, complex procedure like a tooth extraction and a dental implant. By opting to get a dental crown right away as soon as you notice tooth damage, you can prevent further complications like tooth loss. In turn, this saves you quite a bit of time, money, and stress.

Restores natural tooth function and appearance

If your tooth is damaged, you may suffer from serious sensitivity or even pain when you try to bite and chew your favorite foods. Left untreated, these issues can interfere with your ability to focus on work or school and live your daily life.

With one of our ceramic dental crowns, though, you'll be able to restore your tooth, protect the underlying structure, and get back to your normal diet and routine. Your new tooth will look completely natural, too, which enhances both your appearance and your self-confidence.

Long-lasting protection for your smile

Most types of dental crowns last for at least 10-20 years. With proper care, you may be able to keep your crown for even longer than this. With a crown, you'll be investing in long-lasting protection that will serve you well for years to come.

Treat your crown just like a natural tooth

Worried that you'll have to change your routine to accommodate your new dental restoration? Don't be! You can treat your new crown just like the tooth that it's covering up. Brush twice per day, floss daily, and make sure that you come to Grove City Smiles for checkups every six-months. Along with a "tooth healthy" diet and lifestyle, this is enough to keep your new dental crown in fantastic shape.

The Most Common Types Of Dental Crowns

Wondering what your options are for restoring your smile with a crown? Here's a quick overview of the most common types of dental crowns, most of which can be completed same-day at Grove City Smiles:

• Porcelain crowns – Porcelain is a ceramic material that's extremely similar to the natural color, translucency, and strength of natural enamel. It's a particularly good choice for patients who want the best possible aesthetic results, since multiple layers of porcelain can be used for a lifelike appearance. Available same-day.
• Zirconia dental crowns – Zirconia is another type of commonly-used ceramic material. It's extremely strong and durable, making it suitable for treating both front and back teeth. It's also metal-free, unlike PFM crowns, which means it's a good option for patients who may be sensitive or allergic to particular metals. Available same-day.
• Ceramic crowns – All-ceramic crowns offer excellent aesthetics and biocompatibility. They're ideal for both front and back teeth and can be precisely color-matched to your existing teeth. Available same-day.
• Porcelain-fused-to-Metal (PFM) crowns – PFM crowns use a metal base with layers of porcelain material built on top of it. They combine the natural appearance of ceramic with the durability of metal. They do sometimes cause cosmetic issues, though, especially if gum recession exposes the metal base of the crown later on. Typically require lab fabrication.
• Gold and metal crowns – Gold and metal crowns are becoming less common as ceramic materials become more advanced. They are mostly used for rear teeth. This is because metal crowns are extremely strong and durable, but have an unnatural gold or silver appearance that patients prefer to avoid in front teeth. Typically require lab fabrication.

At Grove City Smiles, we typically recommend ceramic crowns for most patients since they can be completed the same day and offer excellent aesthetics and durability. However, we can help you explore other options for restoring your smile based on your needs, preferences, the tooth's location, and much more.

The Cost Of Dental Crowns – How Much Will I Pay?

The cost of dental crowns depends on a lot of different factors, including:

• The location and size of your tooth
• The material you choose for your crown (metal, porcelain, ceramic, PFM)
• The provider you pick for crown treatment
• Whether or not you need additional treatment like root canal therapy or the removal of an old filling

Because of this, there's no way to provide an average cost for a dental crown. Every patient and every situation is different. At Grove City Smiles, we'll provide you with an accurate quote and transparent estimate after your initial consultation at our office.

We are also an insurance-friendly practice. When crowns are necessary for medical purposes, between 50% and 80% of the cost will typically be covered by your dental insurance plan, up to any applicable plan limits. We are happy to help you make the most of your benefits.

Not only that, but we offer financing options to help you split the cost of treatment into monthly installments, when needed. At Grove City Smiles, Dr. Pappas and our team want to make sure that treatment costs are never a barrier that prevents you from getting the expert dental care you need.

Crown Procedure Steps – What To Expect From Treatment

Initial consultation

First, you'll need to come in for a visit with one of the dentists at Grove City Smiles. Your dentist will examine your mouth, take X-rays, and assess the condition of your tooth to determine if a crown is the appropriate treatment. Depending on their findings, additional treatments like root canal therapy may sometimes be recommended.

Tooth preparation and shaping

At your treatment visit, your dentist will begin by cleaning and numbing your mouth. Then, they will use a dental drill to gently remove any decayed tooth material and reshape your tooth. This creates a stable, strong platform for your new crown. Once this step is over, your dentist will scan your mouth with a hand-held scanner to create a 3D image of your smile.

Same-day ceramic crowns (Our Standard Process)

Almost all of our crown cases are completed the same day using our advanced CAD/CAM technology. After your tooth is prepared, your dentist will upload your 3D scan into a computer. Then, they will design your crown and mill it out of a solid block of ceramic material using our Computer-Aided Design/Manufacturing equipment.

Once your crown is finished, your dentist will bring it into the operating room, check the fit, and make any necessary adjustments. Then, they will bond it to your tooth permanently with dental cement. All in all, the entire same-day crown process usually takes only a single 1-2 hour visit to Grove City Smiles.

Lab-made crowns (When Needed)

In rare cases where same-day treatment isn't suitable, we can create lab-made crowns. Your dentist will attach a temporary crown to your tooth and use your 3D scan to design your crown. The finalized design is sent to a dental lab, and it typically takes 3-4 weeks for your final crown to be completed.

Once it arrives, you'll return for a final visit where your dentist will remove your temporary crown, clean up your tooth, and attach your permanent crown with dental cement.

What Crown Is Right For Me? Dentist Recommendations

When helping you choose between different tooth crown types, dentists consider a lot of different factors. These can include:

• Position of the tooth – Ceramic crowns are ideal for both front and back teeth and can be completed same-day.
• Bite forces and teeth grinding – Modern ceramic materials like zirconia are strong enough to handle heavy bite forces, making same-day crowns suitable for most patients.
• Cosmetic preferences – Ceramic options like zirconia and porcelain typically offer the best aesthetic results and can be precisely color-matched the same day.
• Patient schedule – Since almost all our crowns can be completed same-day, you can restore your tooth in one convenient visit.

At Grove City Smiles, we will take both your unique oral health needs and your personal preferences into account when helping you choose the right type of crown for your tooth. Since we can complete most crown types the same day, you'll have excellent options without the wait. If you're not sure what type of crown is right for you, our team is always here to help!

Explore Your Same-Day Crown Options At Grove City Smiles

At Grove City Smiles, we know that it's not always easy to understand all of your options for restoring your smile. That's why our team of dentists, led by Dr. Michael Pappas, always helps you understand the pros and cons of every type of dental crown.

Whether you're interested in a same-day ceramic crown, porcelain crown, or zirconia crown, our team can help you choose the right option for your needs, budget, and schedule. Almost all of our crown cases can be completed in a single visit, so you can walk out with your permanent restoration the same day. We're focused on transparency and sound advice.

So don't wait, and don't let your damaged tooth lead to further complications. If you're ready to restore your tooth with a same-day crown in Grove City, give us a call at (614) 350-5300 or book your first visit online. We look forward to seeing you soon!

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