Our health is the most important thing that we have, so our best effort is required to maintain it on the level where it should be, which is always the highest. Humans are very durable beings, but at the same time, there are tons of things that could go wrong, if we are not paying enough attention. One of those things is our teeth.
Oral hygiene is a very important part that has to be maintained at least a few times per day, although that’s not what many people do. Ever since we were children, in school they taught us how to brush our teeth and not to go “crazy” with the candy that we’re eating because it damages our teeth.
That’s very true, and if you were not following this advice, chances are that you’ll need what we’re about to talk about in this article.
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Dental Crowns – What are they?
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So, one of the procedures that you can get done at a dentist is getting a Dental Crown. You may not know how this looks, simply because you never needed one, but we’re still going to explain what their purpose is so that you can understand things more easily.
A dental crown is needed if a person has a weak tooth, and the risk of that tooth-breaking is increased. A tooth can be weak because of many reasons, but the most common one is decay. Also, it can be cracked from an injury or any other sort of external damage.
That’s not the only use of crowns, so let’s take a look at the rest of the situations where they can be applied.
- They can be used to restore a tooth that’s already broken or it shows signs that it’s going to break completely shortly.
- They can be used as a holder for the “bridge”, also known as the dental bridge.
- As a cover for teeth that don’t look so good or are very misshaped.
- As a cosmetic “upgrade” which is quite popular amongst celebrities.
- If half a teeth are healthy, and the other half is gone, crowns can be applied to hold the rest of it in place, something like the role of a filler.
As you can see, this dental procedure can be used in a lot of situations, and it is definitely amongst the most useful ones, but many people are interested in the cost, especially if this is done for cosmetic purposes, so let’s take a look at that as well.
How much do they cost?
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There are many different types of crowns, and most of them differentiate by the material that they are made of, but we’ll get to this in just a little bit. Usually, the price will depend on the material, but that’s not the only factor.
As far as we know, the regular price for a crown can be somewhere between $700 and $1800, and as you can see, that’s a pretty large difference between these two numbers.
So, to get the best possible information about how much a dentist will charge for these, you need to contact the clinic personally and book an appointment, then explain exactly what you need to your dentist so they can give you an accurate price, according to Dentist Fairbanks AK.
What can they be made out of?
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Like we all know already, crowns are constantly exposed to fluids, simply because they are located in our mouth. Everything that we eat and drink has contact with them, so we can’t just take them out of any material. Here are some of the most popular materials that they can be made of.
Stainless Steel
They are usually mostly used for children, where a primary tooth is supposed to come out to make room for the new, permanent one. When it does come out, the crown will automatically come out with it as well.
They don’t require multiple visits to get them in and out, which is quite practical for children, especially if they are afraid of the dentist.
Ceramic
These are usually applied when the person wants the crowns to be completely unnoticeable, simply because they have a more natural color when you compare them to real teeth. If you want a subtle solution, this is what you should go after. They don’t cost a lot either.
Gold or Platinum
These have the highest durability and it will take a lot longer before they get worn-out. However, they are more expensive and they don’t look natural at all, so unless that’s what you’re trying to achieve, you might be better off with the ceramic ones. Or, if durability is all you care about, go with these.
All-Resin
Last but not least, this crown-type is the least expensive one that you can get, and they are great for a temporary solution. You should know that compared to all other types, these have the lowest durability and are very prone to fractures. We’re not saying that they are unsafe, but they are the least safe ones out of all other types.
How long do they last?
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Every case is different, and we can’t predict what’s going to happen with your dental crowns, but on average, if we take a look at some statistics and what dentists usually point out, they should last somewhere between seven and thirteen years. Once again, this will depend a lot on the material that they’re made of, but that’s the average number, which is quite a lot. If you take good care of them, they might last even longer.
Another very important thing that you need to know of is that when a tooth is crowned, it doesn’t mean that it automatically becomes immune to things such as gum disease or decay. You still need to take care of your oral hygiene every single day and book your dentist appointments at least a few times per year. Daily flossing in-between meals are also very recommended.
