A crown is a cover or cap that is placed over your tooth to strengthen your tooth or improve the appearance of a decayed or damaged tooth. Crowns restore the shape, strength, functionality, and appearance of your original or missing tooth and the benefit of a zirconia crown is you'll be able to use your tooth to chew again without hurting the decayed or damaged area beneath the crown. Plus, you'll now have a tooth that looks as good or better than your previous tooth. Crowns protect the vulnerable soft center of your tooth, called the pulp chamber, by helping to reinforce the hard outer layer of the tooth (called the dentin). Crowns also protect the inner layer of your tooth or pulp where your tooth contains nerve endings, blood vessels and connective tissue. A crown covers the fragile areas of the inner tooth and shields it from damage, while providing you a brand new tooth.

HOW LONG DO ZIRCONIA CROWNS LAST?

Zirconia dental crowns last from 10-15 years, on average, and even longer when well cared for. Traditional crowns are made of zirconia and porcelain and though strong, are not indestructible. Our crowns are made of zirconia and we recommend maintaining great hygiene as the longevity of dental crowns is definitely affected by cigarette smoking, teeth grinding or clenching of the jaw. If you suffer from conditions related to TMJ, like teeth grinding, Wakarusa Family Dental can help fit you with a nightguard, which will help preserve your dental crowns for many years to come.

WHAT ARE CROWNS MADE OF?

There are several materials dentists may use to make your crown like zirconia, porcelain, resin, other metals like gold or alloys, and ceramic. Zirconia is what Dr. Edwards uses for your dental crowns, which look and function like a natural tooth.  Zirconia is made out of zirconium dioxide, a crystalline metal oxide that is characterized by its high thermal resistivity, mechanical resistance, and abrasive properties. In other words, zircocnia is great for a durable long-lasting tooth (10-15 years).

HOW MUCH DO CROWNS COST?

Dental crowns range from $1000 to $2000 for traditional zirconia crowns. When discerning your costs, talk to your dentist and ask how many visits may be required for your dental crown, as this is another factor, and helps to determine the total cost of dental crowns including the cost involved with multiple visits. Dr. Edwards and the team at Wakarusa Family Dental will always discuss our services up front and let you know the exact cost for your specific situation.

ARE TOOTH CROWNS PAINFUL?