922 Waltham St #202 Lexington, MA 02421
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922 Waltham St #202 Lexington, MA 02421

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Lexington Smile Studio logo
Main Menu
(781) 861-7645
922 Waltham St #202 Lexington, MA 02421
Lexington Smile Studio logo
(781) 861-7645
Main Menu

Dental Crowns – Lexington, MA

High-Quality Restorations for Protecting and Strengthening Teeth

Woman lying back in dental chair and smiling

At some point in your life, you may end up with a badly damaged or weakened tooth. This isn’t the sort of problem that will fix itself on its own, but fortunately, the team at Lexington Smile Studio is here to help. With fully personalized dental crowns, we can repair injured teeth and keep them safe from additional damage. If you think you may need to have a dental crown placed, call our office today.

Why Choose Lexington Smile Studio for Dental Crowns?

  • Variety of High-Quality Materials Available
  • Team of Experienced Dental Experts
  • Warm, Friendly, and Clean Dental Office

What is a Dental Crown?

Two dental crowns in Lexington, MA sitting on reflective surface

A dental crown is a very common type of dental restoration. It completely covers a tooth in order to restore its shape and its ability to function. There are many different kinds of materials that can be used to create dental crowns, including metal, ceramic, porcelain, and porcelain-fused-to-metal. Our team can go over the pros and cons of each material to help you figure out which kind of crown is the best choice for your smile.

We might recommend having a dental crown placed in any of the following situations:

  • Your tooth was badly broken in an accident.
  • Your tooth has become significantly weakened.
  • You have just had a root canal treatment performed.
  • You want to replace a missing tooth with a single dental implant.

The Dental Crown Process

Illustration of dental crown being placed on tooth

Getting a dental crown requires multiple appointments. We’ll begin by examining your tooth and determining whether a crown really is the best choice for you. If it is, we’ll take a small amount of enamel off of the tooth in question. This is done because if a crown was simply attached without preparing the tooth first, it would appear to be too bulky compared to the rest of your smile.

After removing the appropriate amount of enamel, we’ll take an impression of your mouth. Then we’ll give you a temporary crown to protect the prepared tooth. The impression will be sent to a trusted dental laboratory, which is where the final restoration will be created.

You’ll return to our office once the permanent crown has been completed. We’ll remove the temporary restoration, then attach the permanent version to the tooth. Once the procedure is complete, we’ll give you tips for taking care of your new crown to help it last as long as possible.

The Benefits of Getting a Dental Crown

Man in denim jacket smiling in dental chair

The protection of a dental crown can prevent the damage to your tooth from growing worse, thus making it less likely that you’ll need additional, more invasive forms of dentistry in the future. On top of that, if your crown is made out of a tooth-colored material such as ceramic or porcelain, it can restore your smile in a way that looks natural.

It’s worth noting that the care you give your dental crown can potentially help it last longer. A well-maintained crown can sometimes have a lifespan of 15 years or more.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Crowns

Dentist discussing the cost of a dental crown in Lexington.

When learning that you need a dental crown to restore your damaged or decayed tooth, one of the first questions you are likely to ask is “How much will it cost?” At Lexington Smile Studio, we understand that these restorations can be a costly investment, but fortunately, there are ways to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses while still protecting your smile. The cost of dental crowns varies case by case, but the good news is that most dental insurance plans will help cover a portion of the total cost. Whether you have a private plan or not, we’ll help you understand your options.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Dental Crowns

Different types of dental crowns.

During your initial appointment, your dentist will evaluate the extent of the damage and consider the following factors when building a treatment plan and cost estimate:

  • The severity of the damage or decay
  • The type of material that will be used to craft your new crown (i.e., porcelain fused to metal, ceramic, metal, or porcelain)
  • Whether you need additional preliminary treatments, such as a root canal or dental implant

When receiving your cost estimate, we will discuss the different ways you can pay for treatment and avoid high out-of-pocket expenses.

Why Dental Crowns are a Worthwhile Investment

A woman eating comfortably with a dental crown.

There are many reasons why dental crowns are worth the investment. Not only can they help you save money on more extensive restorative treatment, such as extractions and tooth replacement, but they also restore chewing ability and provide optimal protection against future harm and reinfection. Better yet, you can continue to enjoy the benefits of a beautiful, healthy smile, which is priceless.

Dental Crowns FAQs

There are several ways you can tell when it’s time to have your dental crown replaced. For example, if you:

  • Notice pain, it may be that dental decay has formed underneath your crown and needs to be removed. Treating a cavity is essential to prevent a root canal or tooth extraction. Once the tooth is treated, we can decide how to re-bond or replace the dental crown.
  • Feel it is unstable, as eating sticky or chewy foods can cause the crown to loosen.
  • Notice a dark line at the base of the crown, as this can indicate significant wear and tear.
  • Believe your crown to be damaged or discolored, which can occur over time because of daily wear and frequent exposure to pigmented foods and beverages.

Getting a dental crown is unlikely to cause any pain because of the local anesthesia you will receive before treatment begins. Your dentist will start by numbing your mouth, so you do not feel any discomfort during your new tooth procedure. Although you may feel some slight soreness in the days following your appointment, it should not last long and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.

Dental crowns are not made of porous material, so they cannot develop cavities. However, this does not mean that you can dismiss your normal oral hygiene routine. In fact, you will need to be mindful of your daily brushing, flossing, and rinsing habits to prevent tooth decay and gum disease from developing and harming your new restoration.

Most dental crowns in Lexington can last 5-15 years, depending on several factors, including the material used to make your crown and how well you care for it. Generally, metal crowns have a longer lifespan than those made of metal-free materials; however, this is not always the case. Your diet, oral hygiene, and lifestyle habits can also affect how long you can expect your crown to last.

Also, where your crown is placed makes a difference: those placed toward the front tend to have a longer lifespan than those placed over chewing teeth toward the back.

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