Shallowford Smiles - Chattanooga

Dental Crowns in Chattanooga

Restore your smile and improve your tooth health with custom-made dental crowns from Shallowdord Smiles.
Call 423-558-3934
Shallowford Smiles - Chattanooga

What is a Dental Crown or Cap?

A dental crown or cap is a type of restoration that goes completely around your tooth or a dental implant abutment. They are often needed because of large cavities, broken teeth, or to restore a previously placed implant. Most crowns are now all porcelain, but porcelain fused to metal crowns are still used if the situation necessitates it.

  • Dental crowns or caps are used to fix an entire tooth that has broken down because of cavities, wear, or a break.
  • They must be done whenever a tooth has had a root canal and is in the back.
  • They are used to restore the original look of teeth that have worn down.
  • All our crowns are all porcelain and zirconium unless we specifically discuss it with you.

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What are the benefits of a Dental Crown?

Dental crowns restore function to teeth that have lost a significant amount of their tooth structure or have other significant
damage or wear. They can also be used to restore height to a bite that has worn down, and can be used to improve one’s
smile.

What is the Process for a Dental Crown?

Consultation and records

We have a consultation to make sure what records we need to get as long as you are wanting to proceed. A professional exam, either comprehensive or limited (based on what you would like) will be done, with whatever x-rays are necessary to provide excellent care. For a single crown, this will likely only be 1 or 2 x-rays. We will also image your mouth using our intraoral scanner.

Preparing the Teeth

Dr. Wilkinson will prepare the tooth for the crown/cap at this appointment. This does require numbing. We will be placing a mouth prop that also helps us with suction and keeps you safe and comfortable. Dr. Wilkinson will repair any cavities or breaks and then do a digital scan. Doctor Wilkinson or his assistant will also make a temporary for you to wear while the lab is making your permanent crown.

Creating the Crown

The lab receives the digital scan that Dr. Wilkinson took and is able to make the permanent while you wear your temporary for 2-4 weeks.

Placing the Crown

Dr. Wilkinson, or an assistant, will remove the temporary, clean the tooth, and try on and adjust the permanent crown. We often take working x-rays during this, but there is no charge for that. We will give you, the patient, a chance to look at the crown and make sure that you like it. If you approve, we will cement it in place permanently.

Completing the Process

Enjoy your permanent crown and the ability to eat in peace again!

The Cost of Dental Crowns in Hamilton

The out-of-pocket cost for a dental crown can vary widely from patient to patient. With a typical insurance plan, a single crown averages out to about $200 to $600+. Without insurance, a reasonable figure for a crown is around  $800 to $1200 and up.

So what goes into determining the cost of a dental crown?

  • The type of crown and the material that is used.
  • The location and complexity of the procedure.
  • The number of crowns that may be required.
  • Combining the crown with other dental appliances like bridges.
  • Supplies and equipment that are required for your specific treatment.

Remember, no dental practice can provide an accurate quote over the phone. Ultimately, your needs are as unique as your smile. That’s why it’s important to schedule an appointment at our office in Chattanooga and undergo an oral exam to find out all your treatment options and to receive an accurate quote. If you have dental insurance, we would be happy to supply you with a quote to submit to them so you can find out your out-of-pocket costs before you make a decision.

Financing Options:

Your mouth is one of the most important investments that you can make in yourself. Many of our patients find it easier to break up the investment in their mouth into monthly payments. As such we work with Care Credit and Alphaeon to help. There are options ranging from 0% interest for 6 months, up to 60-month terms.

 

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Contact us today

to schedule an initial consultation & exam.

Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.

Frequently Asked Questions

$797 is the price for a crown. Oftentimes a build-up, or a repair of the broken-down part of the tooth, is also needed, and this is $97. Build-ups allow for proper shaping of the tooth, which allows the permanent crown to seat properly. Please click here for our Price List.

The first appointment is to either look at the whole mouth(Comprehensive Exam) or just look at a particular problem that you have(Limited Exam). Dr. Wilkinson’s first question is always: “What do you want?” Whether you just want reassurance, have a specific need in mind, or are somewhere in between, we want to know so we can best help you. From there Dr. Wilkinson will do an intraoral exam(the first exam is always free). Appropriate x-rays will then be taken. A diagnosis and treatment plan will be made that will address any concern you have, and you may then schedule treatment if you would like.

We endeavor to leave a few spots open each day for more extensive emergencies/needs. Genuinely, we would love to treat everyone the same day, but that is not always possible or safe. Planning and lab work also need to be done ahead of time in some situations.

We schedule the seat appointment for the permanent crown out 4 weeks. This allows us to correct any issues that may come up.

It is very important for you to call us if your temporary comes off. We recommend denture adhesive instead of store-bought temporary cement if it is over the weekend or we can’t see you immediately for some reason. Lightly rinse the inside of the temporary, dry it, and place a small bit of denture adhesive in it and place it on the tooth. That said, if you are concerned at all or don’t want to do that, please, give us a call. Make sure not to chew anything sticky. We will get you in and either seat your permanent crown or recement your temporary. If the temporary is left out for extended periods of time, the permanent crown may not fit because the teeth will have moved.

A mild amount of discomfort is expected after a crown, which is usually covered by Advil or Tylenol. The tooth was irritated, as were the gums around the tooth. Sensitivity is usually worst between days 2 and 4. If your bite feels off, please give us a call. Sometimes the temporary is left a bit high because the bite changes once numbing wears off and needs to be adjusted.

Post-op instructions after preparation (temporary on tooth):

After the preparation of a crown, the tooth, and the tissue around the tooth and injection site/s might be mildly sore for 4 days, with most pain being reported between days 2 and 4. Most often this is mildly sharp to moderately dull pain that is usually easily manageable with Tylenol or Advil. You will be in a temporary. This temporary is much weaker than the permanent crown. It is not meant to be chewed with. It helps keep the other teeth in position and protects the remaining tooth underneath. The cement is also not as strong as permanent cement. If the temporary comes off, denture adhesive will work until we can get you in, though you should remove it before you go to bed in that situation. If it breaks, please give us a call so we can remake it for you. You may lightly brush the temporary, and we recommend that you don’t floss it, but if you get food caught, and have to, pull the floss out after passing it through the contact and towards the gum. In other words, don’t pop it back through the contact or you might pop the temporary off.

Post-op instructions after cementation of the permanent crown:

Pressure against the teeth on either side of the new crown isn’t necessarily uncommon but should resolve after 48 hours. No eating or drinking for 30 minutes after cementation, and no sticky foods for 24 hours. Sensitivity to hot and cold is not uncommon after a crown seat and may persist 7 to 10 days after cementation. If sensitivity feels wrong at any time though, we do recommend that you give us a call.

Needing a crown after a root canal depends highly on the location of the tooth in the mouth—teeth towards the back of the mouth like molars and premolars are needed more for chewing, and generally require crowns, where incisors or canines which aren’t needed for chewing don’t always require crowns.

One difference between a crown vs filling is that a crown is much more durable for teeth with a large biting surface. Repeated pressure from chewing or from habitual clenching can cause fillings on the biting surfaces of molars to chip or come loose. A crown, being a single unbroken surface from gumline to gumline, is designed to take much more force over a longer period of time.

Dental crowns play two important roles in your mouth. First and foremost, they completely restore the function of your tooth which means you can close your teeth and chew without pain or discomfort or without having to compensate by chewing on one side. Secondarily (but also important!) crowns are designed to blend in with your natural teeth. That means they are colored and contoured to match your aesthetic. In fact, sometimes people forget altogether which tooth is the crown.

A post isn’t quite a dental implant (which is surgically implanted in the jaw bone) but it is exactly what it sounds like: a medical-grade post that may be cemented into a prepared root-canal to reinforce the base and core of a dental crown. Dental posts are only used if there isn’t enough healthy tooth left over to reliably hold a crown.

In most cases, dental crowns can last up to 15 years. However, if they are properly maintained, they can last for 25-30 years.

A dental crown is maintained just like a natural tooth. Regular brushing and flossing keep your dental crown – and the supporting gum around it – healthy and clean. Regular cleanings and checkups at your dentist are essential to your oral health.

Carrie Ogle

This office is absolutely amazing! I had two teeth pulled today and I didn’t feel any pain during the procedure. Dr. Brian Wilkinson and his staff made me feel so comfortable and they made my experience the best that I’ve EVER had. I highly recommend this office to anyone looking for a dentist!

Phil Amick

This is by far the best dental office I have ever been to. I have never been a fan of the dentist, but they don't judge. They told me what was necessary, what I needed most, and let me choose what I could afford, first. Josie lights up the office with her kind, empathetic personality and Dr. Wilkinson is gentle and he speaks in terms everyone can understand. Everyone here is kind and professional and I wouldn't trade them for the world. I hope they know how amazing they are.

Charles Akin-Vorst

Great staff with the highest quality care in Chattanooga. The staff is always welcoming and happy to answer any and all questions. The only time I’ve had to wait in the waiting room was when I was early for my appointment and they were right in time. Even then, the waiting area is very comfortable with a TV, WiFi, complimentary coffee and drink station, and comfortable seating. I’ve had extensive periodontal work done there and the entire experience was top-notch. I wouldn’t recommend any other dental care facility in town over Dr. Brian.

Shallowford Smiles - Chattanooga

Request an Appointment Today

Call 423-558-3934