Dental Crowns – Chevy Chase, MD
Rejuvenate Your Smile with Dental Expertise
If you’re struggling with one or more teeth that are injured, decayed, or lost altogether, a custom-made dental crown can help correct the problem and restore your oral health to its fullest potential. Contact our Chevy Chase practice today to schedule an appointment, or if you have any questions for our staff. Dr. Ronan Freyne looks forward to providing you with a skilled and comfortable and caring experience that leaves you ready to smile!
What is a Dental Crown?
Dental crowns are designed to cover individual teeth, helping to improve the shape, strength, and function of the dental structure while preserving the natural portion underneath. It simultaneously restores your oral health and boosts your appearance.
There are several reasons why our team may recommend a new crown, including the following:
- A tooth is suffering from advanced decay that is too severe for a filling.
- A tooth has an existing filling that needs additional support.
- A tooth has been cracked, fractured, or otherwise injured.
- A tooth is suffering from cosmetic dental imperfections that need correction.
- A missing tooth has been replaced with a dental implant that needs restoration.
The Process of Getting a Dental Crown
Having a dental crown created typically takes two appointments – one in which Dr. Freyne will prepare the new tooth and take a detailed impression to be sent to a dental lab, and another where we will place the finished, custom-made restoration over the affected tooth.
During the first appointment, Dr. Freyne will numb your mouth to ensure you’re completely comfortable. Once you’re good to go, he’ll prepare your tooth by removing a thin layer of enamel to ensure the restoration sits flush against the teeth. Impressions will be taken of your smile and sent off to a trusted dental laboratory for the creation of your final dental crown.
After about two weeks, you’ll return to the office for the placement of your restoration. We’ll make sure it fits properly and make any final adjustments as needed before cementing it into place. You’ll be ready to show off your beautiful new smile that very same day!
The Benefits of Getting a Dental Crown
By choosing to get a dental crown in Chevy Chase, you can expect to enjoy the following incredible benefits:
- Improved comfort and chewing ability
- Protect natural teeth from further damage
- Versatile cosmetic treatment that can correct various issues (i.e., staining, discoloration, damage, misalignment)
- Prevent the need for extraction down the line
- Ability to last over 15 years with proper care and maintenance
Understanding the Cost of Dental Crowns
As you consider dental crown treatment, you'll naturally want to confirm its price. (You won't know if it's affordable otherwise.) That said, the cost of dental crowns varies by patient; you’ll have to consult Dr. Freyne for an exact estimate. Only after consultation can our team make your crown affordable, all while walking you through its price factors. For more details on how that works, please keep reading or call us in the coming days.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Dental Crowns
Before treatment, Dr. Freyne must closely assess your tooth. Doing so helps him check factors that affect your dental crown’s cost, including:
- Severity of Damage –If your tooth is highly damaged, a dental crown will probably cost more. Teeth with major breaks or cracks often need a pricey root canal first.
- Dental Crown Material – In most cases, a dental crown’s material will also affect its price. Metallic ones (gold, silver, etc.) don’t cost that much, while ceramic or tooth-colored kinds are more expensive.
- Processing Method – A “traditionally” processed dental crown isn’t pricey, while one processed with CEREC technology is more expensive.
Beyond the points above, please remember that “cheap” dental crowns don’t work well. Their low price actually indicates their poor quality, which won’t help your treated teeth over time. If you want great long-term results, you should buy moderately-priced crowns instead.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Crowns?
Most dental plans cover dental crowns, often meeting about 50% of the final cost. The reason is simple: insurance providers see a crown as medically necessary. Given that fact, a patient can often enjoy plan benefits if they meet their deductible first.
On the other hand, there are exceptions to this rule. A patient’s plan can sometimes have restrictions on crown coverage, not cover crowns at all, etc. You should thus confirm your insurance benefits before you commit to anything. If you’d like, our team can help you do so.
Other Options for Making Dental Crowns Affordable
Even without insurance, a dental crown can still be affordable for you. Simply rely on our practice’s helpful payment options to manage the final cost! After all, picking the right one can make an otherwise costly cap fit your budget.
Our office’s flexible financing program is a great example. This option lets patients pay for dental care through monthly installments, usually spread over 3, 6, or 12 months. Such payments are also interest-free to ensure your treatment is truly affordable.
While you should get a quality dental crown, you don’t need to “break the bank.” Just visit our office and let us help you finance your treatment!