Crowns and Fillings
Repair and rebuild
Our teeth fall prey to so many harmful forces. Time, physical damage, and decay leave their marks on our smiles. If your teeth have experienced wear and tear, we would love to work with you to rebuild your smile’s health and appearance. Fillings and crowns are valuable tools in this restoration process.
When Crowns are Right for You
Fillings vs. Crowns
Fillings are applied directly to your tooth with dental composite, then shaped and hardened in place. Crowns are fabricated in a dental lab from molds of your teeth. Fillings are smaller, less involved and appropriate for repairing teeth after Dr. Patel has removed a cavity. Crowns encompass entire teeth to lend them support and strength after more significant trauma.
When You May Benefit from Crowns
A crown can rebuild a single tooth, or a set of crowns can restore your entire smile. Dr. Patel may recommend crowns if you have:
- Teeth that have experienced pronounced decay
- Long-term grinding that has caused significant wear
- Experienced an accident / physical damage to your teeth
- Had a root canal and need to strengthen the tooth going forward
Full Mouth Rehabilitation
Full mouth rehab restores your smile from the ground up, with equal attention given to dental health and aesthetics. This typically involves a group of procedures, with a treatment plan formed around your unique needs. Crowns are an important part of full mouth rehab and can give you a fresh start, no matter your tooth wear or age.
Dental Crowns FAQ
Will my crowns be noticeable?
Your crowns will be a natural-looking part of your smile and will not be distinguishable from your natural teeth. Dr. Patel will carefully shape and shade your crowns so that they resemble enamel.
How many appointments will my crowns take?
Crowns typically take between 2-3 appointments, depending on whether you have your consultation and tooth prep in one appointment. You’ll discuss your treatment plan, then have your teeth prepared, impressions taken and temporaries placed, and then receive your final crowns once they’ve returned from the dental lab.
How much do crowns cost?
Cost varies depending on the number of crowns you are receiving. Crowns may be covered by your dental insurance. Get in touch to learn more about what we would recommend for you, and receive a pricing quote.
Do I need to treat my crowns in a special way? Can I eat normally?
Your crowns will function just like your natural teeth. As always, you should not use your teeth as tools or chew anything other than food. If you exercise good oral hygiene and treat your crowns well, they will last for decades.
Take the first step
There’s just one way to find out which treatment is best for you – schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Patel. She will examine your smile, tell you more about our office, and recommend a treatment plan developed just for you.