Are You a Good Candidate for Dental Crowns?

Dental crowns are useful both in a utilitarian way and in cosmetic dentistry. Some need support for a tooth while others want a dental crown for cosmetic reasons. Below is a discussion of who makes a good candidate for this procedure.

Has a Need

To be a candidate you would first have to have a need that a dental crown could address in a successful manner. This could include a chipped or cracked tooth or a tooth that has been weakened due to extensive decay.

The need could also be cosmetic. Dental crowns can improve the look of stained and misshapen teeth.

Understands the Procedure

Unlike some other cosmetic dentistry procedures, there must be a change made to the structure of the natural tooth before the dental crown can be applied.

This consists of filing the teeth down in order to make room for the crown. In some cases, the teeth must be filed down a lot. Sometimes, less filing is needed.

Has Considered Other Options

Before deciding if a dental crown is right for you, all other options should have been considered. There are some instances in which a crown is the best, or perhaps only, viable option. Other times, there may be a less invasive procedure that would yield similar results.

This is especially true if you are considering a dental crown for cosmetic reasons. For example, while dental crowns are a good option for dealing with stained teeth, many types of stains can be improved with professional whitening. For misshapen teeth, veneers may be a better option for you than crowns.

Each case is different, so you should discuss all of the available options with your cosmetic dentist before making a decision.

Is Comfortable with the Cost

You must also understand and be comfortable with the cost involved in dental crowns. The exact cost will depend on the material used to make the crown and where you are located.

If you need a crown to strengthen or protect a tooth, your insurance may pay some or all of the cost. Insurance will not usually pay for dental crowns for cosmetic reasons.

Contact our Houston area cosmetic dentistry office for more information on dental crowns and other procedures such as dental implants and porcelain veneers.