DENTAL CROWNS IN STAMFORD

Dental crowns are dental prostheses that are designed to fit over and cover up your entire tooth. First, the tooth will be prepared with a dental drill, and a crown will be built out of a durable porcelain material. This crown will look and feel just like a natural tooth. This crown is bonded permanently to the underlying tooth material, covering it up completely.

‍This restores the shape, function, and appearance of your tooth, and also helps protect it from further decay or oral injuries. With a crown from our dentists in Stamford, you can quickly restore the beauty of your smile, as well as the natural function of your bite. 

Yes, dental crowns fall under major dental work or restorative work that is typically covered by insurance at up to 50% of the cost. However, this comes with some caveats. Dental insurance will only cover dental crowns if they are medically necessary.

Valid reasons would include holding together a broken tooth or protecting a damaged or decayed tooth from further damage. Insurance does not cover cosmetic procedures so if the crown is purely cosmetic, it will not be covered.

Your insurance may also have annual limits and waiting periods that you will need to abide by. Some insurance companies may also only cover certain crown materials. Contact your insurance provider directly to learn more about their policy on crown coverage.

At Clear Smile Dental Studio, we accept most insurance plans and Medicaid. However, if you don’t have insurance, we also offer flexible financing options through CareCredit or Chewsi.

Oral Hygiene - Crowns don’t prevent tooth decay or gum disease from developing if you don’t take care of your teeth. They aren’t a substitute for an oral hygiene routine. Daily brushing and flossing is still necessary.Brush with fluoride toothpaste twice a day for at least two minutes and floss at least once a day. This will keep food particles and plaque to a minimum. A tooth that is covered by a crown can develop decay at the gum line and this cavity can spread deeper through the tooth. If you develop decay in a tooth that is covered with a crown, we will need to remove it to treat the decay. Considering crowns can be a costly investment, it’s better to prevent this from happening in the first place.

Prevent Wear and Tear - Crowns can become chipped, cracked, and damaged just like natural teeth, especially if they’re fabricated out of more fragile materials like porcelain or ceramic, which are typically placed in the front teeth. To reduce your risk of damage, avoid chewing on hard foods that can wear down the material or sticky foods that can dislodge the crown. If you grind your teeth, this puts a ton of force on your teeth and restorations which can cause a lot of damage. You need to wear a mouthguard to sleep if you suffer from bruxism. Don’t chew on inanimate objects, fingernails, or ice, or use your teeth to open packages. This can cause accidental damage to crowns and your natural teeth.

Prevent Discoloration - There are a few ways to prevent a buildup of stains on your crowns. The first is abstinence. Avoid staining foods and drinks as much as possible. These are mostly highly pigmented and acidic foods and drinks or ones that contain chromogens, like coffee, tea, soda, berries, and soy sauce. Another way to prevent discoloration is to drink through a straw or rinse your mouth with water after eating and drinking. Since crowns don’t respond to teeth whitening, preventing stains is important. Even stain-resistant materials like porcelain can become discolored over time.

Checkups - To remove plaque and tartar buildup and surface stains, check for oral health problems, and ensure your crowns are in good condition, you should attend regular dental cleanings and checkups every 6 months. Because crowns don’t last forever, your dentist will continually assess your crowns and let you know if and when they need to be replaced. Contact us today to schedule a checkup with one of our dentists.