Dental Crowns – Lincoln, NE
Offering Strength and Protection for Weakened Teeth
Damage and decay are two of the most common dental problems people battle. Whether brought on by injury, poor oral hygiene, or bad habits, if you have a tooth that is weakened as a result of one or both problems, it’s imperative that you seek treatment as soon as possible. Why? Because the longer you wait, the greater chance you have of running into additional problems, such as the need for a root canal or tooth extraction. At South Ridge Dental, you can achieve the help you need thanks to dental crowns in Lincoln, NE. These dental crowns can not only restore your smile, but they can provide the added protection your tooth needs. If you’re ready to do something about your weakened tooth, contact our dental office today to schedule an appointment.
Why Choose South Ridge Dental for Dental Crowns?
- Customized Restorations to Match Your Smile
- Personalized Service and High-Quality Care
- Dental Financing & Payment Options Available
What Are Dental Crowns?
Whether it’s a cracked, chipped, discolored, or severely decayed tooth that is bothering you, our team of experienced dentists can use dental crowns to restore and rebuild your natural tooth. Using custom-made restorations, your dental crown will fit over your tooth, preserving the remaining structure while rebuilding it. This will allow you to retain the functionality and confidence you need to eat, chew, and speak clearly.
Dental crowns can be made from a wide variety of materials, but your dentist in Lincoln offers metal-free restorations. What does that mean? It means you can receive a dental crown that is matched to the color, size, and shape of your regular teeth and will blend in beautifully with the rest of your smile.
What is the Process for Getting a Dental Crown?
The typical process for receiving a dental crown takes two appointments. The first visit includes prepping your tooth for your dental crown. If necessary, we’ll take X-rays to determine if any additional treatment is needed to the root of the tooth. Then, we’ll numb the tooth and gum tissue before filing down the decayed or damaged tooth. This will ensure the crown will properly fit over the natural tooth when placed.
Once the tooth is reshaped, it is necessary that we take an impression of it to send to the lab. This will help them in creating your permanent dental crown. You can expect your new crown to be ready in 2 to 3 weeks. In the meantime, you’ll be fitted with a temporary crown to protect your tooth.
When you arrive for your second appointment, your dentist will remove the temporary crown and check to make sure the permanent matches correctly before putting it in place. Using a local anesthetic, he will numb the tooth once again and cement the crown.
What Are the Benefits of Dental Crowns?
- Offer added protection to a tooth that has been chipped or broken
- Supports a tooth that has been damaged by decay
- Provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance for someone who has received a root canal or dental implant
- Strengthens a weakened tooth
- Restores a tooth to its natural size and shape
- Covers discolored or stained teeth
Understanding the Cost of Dental Crowns
No two mouths or situations are identical, so there's no flat fee for a crown. Instead, the cost of dental crowns is based on your specific needs and preferences. Many factors affect the amount you'll pay, but our team at South Ridge Dental strives to keep high-quality restorations within everyone's budget. We will help you find the solutions you need to keep your crown affordable.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Dental Crowns
There's no one-size-fits-all crown because every mouth is as unique as fingerprints. After examining your mouth and learning more about your preferences, your dentist will create a personalized treatment plan. While every situation differs, you can expect your estimate to include:
- Preliminary Procedures: It’s not uncommon for a crown to be used along with other procedures, like root canal therapy.
- Preparation: Your tooth must be reshaped to allow the crown to fit over it.
- Materials: Crowns can be made from many materials, each with separate costs. It's best to focus on quality instead of the price because discounted options may not last for as long. You can choose from several materials, like metal or ceramic.
- Location: The location of the tooth being treated can affect the price, as well as the shape and size.
A member of our team will review your estimate and explain the fees, so you’ll know exactly what you’ll have to pay before committing to anything. They'll also answer any questions or concerns you might have.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Crowns?
Most dental insurance can offset the cost of crowns deemed medically necessary like to fix a broken tooth or after a root canal. Your benefits can cover various aspects of your treatment plan, like your consultation, imaging, or prep work. After meeting your yearly deductible, your insurance can pay 50% to 80% of the expense until reaching your annual limit. A member of our team will work on your behalf with your dental insurance to maximize any applicable coverage to lower the amount you’ll pay out-of-pocket. They'll explain how your coverage is being used and if there’s any remaining balance.
Options for Making Dental Crowns Affordable
Your financial situation should never stand in the way of getting the dental crown you need. South Ridge Dental has many solutions to keep our services affordable, including:
- Traditional Payments: Our office accepts all traditional payment methods, like cash, personal checks, and credit cards.
- Monthly Payments: You can pay any out-of-pocket expenses using a monthly payment plan through a third-party financing company, like CareCredit. Based on your credit approval, you can benefit from little or no interest in financing.
- Promotions: Our office offers regular specials for select services. We'll discuss any relevant promotions during your appointment.
If you have questions about our payment options, or you're ready to schedule your consultation, request an appointment through our website or call (402) 480-6199.
Dental Crowns Frequently Asked Questions
Are you considering getting one or more dental crowns to protect your teeth? If so, you likely have some questions about this common restorative treatment. Our expert team at South Ridge Dental wants you to be able to make an informed decision that is right for you. That is why we have created this section of dental crowns FAQs in Lincoln. Please take a moment to review the information below. If you still have more questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact our dental office!
How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?
Generally speaking, you can expect your dental crown to last between 5 to 15 years. As dental crowns are subject to daily wear and tear from chewing and general use, they will eventually need to be replaced. However, you can help ensure your crown lasts as long as possible by practicing excellent oral hygiene at home and following the recommendations of your dentist.
How Should I Care for My Dental Crown?
Although your dental crown cannot decay, the remaining natural tooth underneath is still susceptible to tooth decay or gum disease. For this reason, it is very important that you take proper care of your dental crown. The good news is that dental crowns are very easy to look after! No special dental tools or products are required. Instead, you should just be sure to brush your teeth twice a day for a full two minutes each time, floss at least once daily and visit a dentist every six months for a routine dental exam and cleaning.
Will Insurance Cover My Dental Crown?
While every plan is different, most dental insurers cover 50% to 70% of major restorative services like dental crowns. Because crowns an important way to save a compromised tooth and avoid costlier procedures like extraction, your plan will likely cover a substantial portion of the treatment.
However, before moving forward with crowns or any other dental procedure, it is always important to check your dental insurance provider to determine how much you will have to pay out of pocket and how much will be covered by insurance.
Need help navigating the fine print of your dental insurance plan? Give us a call! Our friendly and experienced team is happy to help ensure patients are taking maximum advantage of their dental insurance benefits.
How Much Do Dental Crowns Cost?
The cost of dental crowns can vary from person to person depending on numerous factors, such as the individual’s dental insurance plan, what materials are used for the crown and whether they are getting one or more crowns placed at one time. In the end, however, dental crowns are almost always less costly than putting off restorative treatment now and winding up needing to extract your tooth at some point in the future. To find out the cost of a dental crown for your unique smile, your best bet is to schedule an initial consultation with one of our dentists at South Ridge Dental.
What Should I Do if My Crown Falls Off?
While crowns do not fall off often, it does sometimes occur. If your crown accidentally falls off, you should immediately call us at South Ridge Dental to schedule an appointment. Save and clean your crown, and clean the front of the affected tooth as well. At your appointment, one of our expert dentists will determine if your crown can be cemented back into place over your tooth or if a new crown is needed.