Dental Crowns – New Haven, CT

Make Damaged Teeth Like New Again

Do you have a cavity that is a constant nuisance? How about a chipped or cracked tooth that is the source of dull but persistent pain? If so, a dental crown can easily make these problems a thing of the past. Crowns are custom-made restorations we can use to repair and enhance damaged teeth, and thanks to our team’s skill and artistic eye, you can trust that the end result will be as beautiful as it is natural-looking. If you’re in need of some top-quality smile repair, give New Haven Dental Group a call today.

Why Choose New Haven Dental Group
for Dental crowns?

Specially-made for every patient
100% porcelain crowns available
Designed to look great & last a lifetime

What is a Dental Crown?

Model smile with dental crown restoration

A dental crown gets its name from the fact that it literally sits on top of a natural tooth. This enables it to do two important things at the same time. One, it protects any weakened or fragile enamel, and two, it’s able to restore a tooth’s original shape and appearance. Crowns help us save damaged teeth rather than remove them, which is a much more conservative approach that is also better for a patient’s long-term oral health.

How We Use Crowns

Hand holding a fixed bridge

With a dental crown, we can accomplish all sorts of things, including:

Repair a cavity that is too large for a filling
Put a tooth back together that has experienced physical trauma
Prevent a cracked tooth from breaking
Protect a root canal treated tooth
Cosmetically enhance an aesthetically imperfect tooth
Balance the bite to relieve TMJ pain/headaches
Replace a missing tooth (when paired with a dental implant)

Crowns can be made from a variety of materials ranging from all-metal to all-porcelain. The material we choose will be based on where a tooth is located in the mouth as well as a patient’s specific situation. Generally, a back tooth needs to be as strong as possible, so we’ll use a metal crown, while a front tooth needs to be strong and pleasing to look at, in which case we’ll provide an all-porcelain crown.

What is the Procedure Like?

Animation of dental crown placement

The procedure to get a crown involves 3 basic phases that will unfold over the course of two appointments:

First, your dentist will examine your tooth and recommend a crown as a treatment option. If you agree, they will proceed to the next 2 steps.
Your tooth will need to be slightly reshaped in order to securely hold the crown, so after numbing you, your dentist will gently remove any damaged or decayed enamel. Once this is complete, they’ll take an impression of your tooth and send it to a dental lab to make your crown. Before you leave this appointment, they’ll cover the tooth with a temporary restoration.
About a week or so later, you’ll return to New Haven Dental Group to have your temporary removed and your final crown cemented into place. After checking the fit and your bite one last time, that’s it-- your new tooth is ready!

What to Expect with a Crown

Right after the procedure, your tooth might feel a little more sensitive for a few days, but this should subside naturally. To take care of your crown, all you need to do is treat it like a natural tooth, meaning you should brush, floss, and attend regular checkups. With this approach, you can look forward to your crown lasting for about 15-20 years.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Crowns

Two dental crowns on light-colored reflective surface

The cost of dental crowns depends on several factors. When you come to our office for your restorative consultation, we will be able to evaluate your case and share some specific numbers with you. With the assistance of financing, insurance, or other provisions, most patients are able to afford their treatment without too much stress.

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Factors that Affect the Cost of Dental Crowns

Older female dental patient in treatment chair

The cost of a dental crown can vary depending on:

The extent of necessary preparatory treatment. Before a crown can be placed, a tooth usually needs to be filed down. In some cases, it is also necessary to perform root canal therapy. The extent of a root canal, as well as the specific tooth that requires treatment, can affect overall costs.
Dental crowns can be made out of metals, porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, and other materials, each of which comes with its own price.
The crown-making process. Laboratory fees and other expenses will all be factored into the final price of your crown.

Keep in mind that you should be wary if you come across any deals for a “cheap” crown. Such so-called bargains are often disappointing. They may come with hidden fees, or they could result in a less-than-satisfactory final restoration. It is best to invest in top-quality care right from the beginning of your treatment journey.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Crowns?

Dental insurance document next to dental instruments

It is very common for dental insurance to cover crowns, particularly if the restorations are considered to be medically necessary. If your crown is purely for aesthetic purposes, it is less likely that you will receive coverage. Most insurance policies classify crowns as a major procedure, so up to 50% of their total cost may be covered. Our team welcomes insurance, and we will be happy to help you understand how your benefits may apply to your unique situation.

Other Options for Making Dental Crowns Affordable

Dental patient holding clipboard, preparing to sign document

Aside from insurance, there may be provisions you can use to make your crown more affordable:

Most patients are eligible for low-interest or no-interest financing through CareCredit. After a brief application process, you may be able to choose a monthly payment amount that works with your budget.
Essential Dental discount plan. Designed for patients without insurance, this discount plan provides reduced fees on virtually all of the services available in our office.

Would you like to learn more about dental crowns and how much they cost? Get in touch with our team today to book your personal consultation. We are eager to serve you!

Dental Crowns FAQs

Close-up of dental crown on cast model

The team at New Haven Dental Group is ready to put our extensive experience and knowledge to work to help you gain a beautiful and sturdy dental crown. Before you come to visit us, however, you may have questions about the road ahead of you. Of course, you are welcome to ask questions during your consultation. In the meantime, we invite you to review the following list of dental crowns FAQs.

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What Are Dental Crowns Made Of?

Temporary dental crowns are usually constructed of stainless steel. They are not custom-made, a fact that makes them cost-effective and easy to remove.

Permanent crowns can be made of a variety of materials:

Metals: Gold, silver, nickel, chromium, and palladium can all be used to make dental crowns. These restorations are very durable, but they tend to clash with the natural color of teeth. We often recommend them for the molars at the back of the mouth.
Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM): PFM crowns have a metal inner shell surrounded by a porcelain exterior. The metal provides strength, and the porcelain provides a beautiful appearance.
All porcelain: All porcelain crowns offer the most natural appearance. We often use them for teeth toward the front of the mouth.

Are Dental Crowns Permanent?

The dental crown process is irreversible. Once we remove some dental enamel to prepare a tooth for a crown, the enamel will never regrow, so the tooth will always need a crown to protect it.

Although dental crowns require a permanent commitment, they should not be expected to last forever. On average, patients need to replace their crowns every 5 – 15 years. You can extend the life of your restoration by sticking to a thorough oral hygiene routine, attending regular dental checkups, and adhering to other good habits.

How Do You Know When a Dental Crown Needs to Be Replaced?

Your crown might need to be replaced if:

You are experiencing pain in the tooth beneath the crown.
There are visible signs of wear or damage on the crown. For example, you might notice a dark line along the base of a PFM crown.
A crown feels loose.
Your crown is interfering with your bite.

When you visit our team, we can let you know for sure whether your crown needs to be replaced.

Do Dental Crowns Get Cavities?

No, dental crowns cannot get cavities. However, the teeth beneath them remain almost as vulnerable to decay as uncrowned teeth. Plaque can accumulate along the gumline and travel upward, sneaking into the crown so it can attack the underlying dentition. You can prevent most cavities on crowned teeth by sticking to a thorough oral hygiene routine. You should be especially diligent about cleaning along the gumline.

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