Dental Crowns

You just found out that you need a dental crown. What is a dental crown and what does it involve? What should you expect to pay and do you have any other alternatives?

A dental crown is a cap that covers an entire tooth and gives protection, strength or improved appearance to a damaged tooth. Most crowns are shaped like the original tooth and porcelain or ceramic crowns are colored to match your surrounding teeth so that they are hardly visible. Gold crowns or other metals are often more durable, but do not look as good. Generally, you should prefer ceramic or porcelain crowns for front teeth. If you have a good dentist, he will give you all the information you need to make an informed decision.

Typically, your dentist will prepare your tooth for the crown fitting and take an impression. Crowns are usually made at a dentistry lab, so you will have to return later for the fitting. Crowns are usually cemented to your tooth or bonded with an adhesive.

Expect to pay between $1,000 and $3,000 for each crown. Of course, these prices can vary widely depending on the type of crown you choose. Most dental insurance plans will help you with at least part of the cost. Just like natural teeth, dental crowns last much longer if you take good care of them. In general, you should expect a crown to last for 5 to 15 years.

webmd.com

This site gives a reputable and very clear explanation of dental crowns. This is a great place to start when you need a general understanding of the topic. Here you can see pictures, learn about the various types of crowns, and understand what the procedure will be like. This is an extended article that should answer your questions without being too technical or confusing.
http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/dental-crowns

yourdentistryguide.com

This is a more abbreviated guide to dental crowns. You will find more information here about the different kinds of crowns and the pros or cons of each. You will also find a separate article about how to choose a good dentist to install your crown and the cost of most crowns.
http://www.yourdentistryguide.com/crowns/

medicinenet.com

This is also an extended article on the subject of dental crowns. It is organized under frequently asked questions and the explanations are quite clear. Thankfully, you can follow the links to the specific information you need, due to the article's length. You should probably come to this article last, after getting a good overview of dental crowns from the other sites, but if you still have a question that isnâ€™t answered, this article will probably discuss it.
http://www.medicinenet.com/dental_crowns/article.htm