Selecting the Right Dentist for a Crown

Authored By: Lesley Ranft

Reviewed By: Jacinthe M. Paquette, DDS

• Dental Crown Basics
• Dental Crown Materials

Both the dentist and the laboratory technologist play a role in the design and treatment outcome of a crown. Art and science are important factors in designing the proper anatomical features of the crown to provide the best possible fit in the mouth.

Some of the technologies and material choices for today’s crowns are fairly new, making it important to know how much experience the dentist has with the equipment used in the procedure. General dentists, family dentists, cosmetic dentists and prosthodontists may perform all treatment options; however, the level of expertise varies among dentists. For example, prosthodontists receive an additional two- to three-years of training focused on understanding complex tooth and bone structures, which may be applicable to your case.

Prolonging the Life of the Crown

The longevity of the full coverage crown is determined by the precision of its fit to the underlying tooth. The fit of a crown can vary tremendously and requires attention to detail by the providing dentist. An ill-fitted crown can house bacteria that may build into more serious tooth decay in years to come.

It is also important that the tooth be in a healthy state to ensure its longevity. In all cases, your dentist will evaluate the gums and supporting bone structure to ensure these supporting tissues are in a healthy state. This protects the tooth and minimizes the potential for eventual gum recession that exposes the crown margin.

The Cost of Crowns

The cost of a crown depends on several factors, including the technical demands of the treatment, the training and expertise of the dentist, the training and expertise of the dental technologist, and the location of the dentist. Crowns may range in price from $1,000 to $3,500 and last between 10 and 15 years or longer, though results vary depending upon your unique considerations. In esthetically-demanding situations, it can be helpful to ask the treating dentist for clinical photographs of treatment they have provided in the past to visualize the expertise and skill of the dental team being selected.

• Dental Crown Basics
• Dental Crown Materials

[Updated May 2008]

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