Dental Crowns – Baltimore, MD

Factors that Affect the Cost of Dental Crowns 

What you can expect your dental crown to ultimately cost comes down to a variety of factors, including:

• The type of material that you use for your crown. There are a variety of ceramics and metals available to you, each of which has its own uses and typical cost.
• How many dental crowns you’re going to need
• What preliminary procedures you’ll need to prepare your tooth for the crown, e.g. root canals or gum disease treatment.

When making these decisions, be sure to balance your particular needs with what you’re able to afford. After all, the cheapest option isn’t necessarily the best one.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Crowns? 

Dental crowns that are being administered for necessary medical reasons are usually at least partially covered by dental insurance. While every plan is different, you can often expect around 50% of the total cost of your dental crown to be covered. Still, it’s usually a good idea to check the details of your dental plan beforehand to ensure that you’re taking full advantage of your benefits.

If you have any questions about insurance, or about paying for care in general, give us a call and we’ll be happy to discuss your options with you.

Are Dental Crowns Permanent?

Even though dental crowns are not considered permanent, they’re certainly a long-term solution. Most patients can expect their restoration to last anywhere between five to 15 years. However, the exact lifespan depends on how well it’s cared for. It’s worth noting that the procedure for a dental crown is considered to be irreversible. Since your dentist will need to reshape the tooth, the removed enamel will never grow back. Because of that, the underlying tooth will always need a crown for protection moving forward.

How Do You Know When a Dental Crown Needs to Be Replaced?

Ultimately, the only way to know for sure whether or not a dental crown needs to be replaced is to have X-rays taken or to have it looked at by your dentist. However, there are warning signs that indicate a crown is nearing the end of its lifespan, such as:

• Pain – This could mean there’s decay underneath the crown.
• Instability – Contact your dentist right away if your crown feels loose.
• Noticeably worse appearance – A chipped or discolored crown can negatively affect a patient's self-esteem, which is a good enough reason to replace it.
• The dark line at crown’s base – If you can see the metal portion of a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown, it indicates the restoration has been through a great deal of wear and tear and might need replacement in the future.

Does It Hurt to Get a Dental Crown?

Before your dental crown procedure, we’ll numb the tooth with a topical anesthetic to ensure you feel comfortable. While the tooth is typically numbed during the preparation phase, that’s not always the case for the final crown placement.  If you are feeling severely anxious or nervous, you may benefit from dental sedation. After your teeth are prepared, you may feel sensitivity or mild discomfort for the next few days. Luckily, you should be able to manage it with over-the-counter pain medication.

What Happens If You Wait Too Long to Get a Dental Crown?

At Baltimore Dental Arts, we’ll only recommend a dental crown if it’s absolutely necessary. Although it can be tempting to put off the procedure, it’s a good idea to get it done immediately after your dentist has suggested it. If you wait too long to get a dental crown, your tooth is at risk of further damage or decay, meaning your condition can worsen to the point where you need a root canal or even an extraction.