Dental Crowns Newark
Seamless Tooth Repair for Teens
You never know when an incident might occur that damages your teenager’s smile. Whether there is decay or physical trauma, our Newark, CA, team is ready to step in to get your child’s oral health back on track. After an examination, we might recommend that they receive a dental crown. Continue reading below to learn more about this option for seamless tooth repair for teens.
Why Choose Newpark Mall Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics for Dental Crowns?
- Lifelike Crown Materials
- Team that Understands Teenagers’ Needs
- We Welcome Dental Insurance
What Is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a custom, tooth-shaped cap that we place over the entire portion of a tooth that is visible above the gumline. Crowns can be made of various materials, but here in our practice, we favor options that blend in with the color of the surrounding dentition, such as ceramic and porcelain.
We often recommend a crown in cases where a tooth has large spots of decay, is severely misshapen, is cracked, or has other forms of damage that cannot easily be repaired via more conservative means. A crown can be a very effective way to protect and preserve such teeth.
The Process of Getting a Dental Crown
The dental crown process usually takes at least two appointments. During the first appointment, we will prepare your teen’s tooth to receive its crown. In most cases, this means we have to remove a bit of enamel so the crown will fit in seamlessly with the surrounding teeth. Then, we take impressions of the mouth.
A trustworthy dental lab will use the impressions to fabricate your teen’s crown. In the meantime, your child will wear a temporary crown to protect their tooth. Once the permanent restoration is ready, we will double-check to make sure that it meets our strict quality standards before we attach it to the tooth.
The Benefits of Getting a Dental Crown
A dental crown can offer several benefits for your teen:
- Restored oral health and function. Crowns are very strong, so your child should be able to enjoy reliable and pain-free function from their treated tooth.
- A confident smile. Since we use lifelike materials for crowns, your teen will not have to worry about their restoration interfering with the way their smile looks.
- An easy treatment process. We do everything we can to make sure our patients are comfortable during treatments.
- Easy maintenance. With good oral hygiene and other sound habits, your teen’s crown may last for 10 – 15 years or longer.
Dental Crown FAQs
How Do You Know When a Dental Crown Needs to Be Replaced?
At your teen’s biannual dental visits, we will examine their restoration closely to ensure it’s still in good condition. Between visits, they should keep an eye out for warning signs that something is wrong, like pain when biting down, instability, or a noticeably worse appearance. If these or any other abnormal dental symptoms arise, give our dental team a call to schedule an appointment.
Do Dental Crowns Get Cavities?
Since dental crowns are crafted from artificial materials, they cannot develop cavities. Of course, the underlying tooth still can, so your teen should continue to commit to good oral hygiene habits, like brushing their teeth each morning and evening. It’s equally as important that they avoid doing anything that could damage their restoration, like chewing on ice cubes or snacking on extremely crunchy foods, like hard pretzels.
Do Dental Crowns Feel Natural?
Yes! There are a few reasons for this, starting with the fact that the size and shape of each one are custom-made. They are also crafted from materials that don’t compromise on appearance or durability, ensuring it looks and feels just like your teen’s natural tooth, but better. So, you don’t have to worry – no unwanted attention will be drawn to your child’s smile moving forward.
What Can My Teen Eat with a Temporary Crown?
Temporary crowns are just that – temporary. That’s why patients are asked to avoid certain foods, like bagels, corn on the cob, popcorn, raw almonds, and caramel-filled candies. Fortunately, there is a long list of delicious foods that your teen can eat, including mashed potatoes, cooked pasta, plain yogurt, oatmeal, and scrambled eggs.
Are Dental Crowns Covered by Insurance?
Fortunately, many dental insurance plans cover the cost (or a portion of the cost) of essential restorative care. So, if your teen needs a dental crown, it’s worth taking the time to familiarize yourself with their benefits! Of course, that is sometimes easier said than done between the lengthy paperwork and unfamiliar jargon. That’s where we come in; we’re pleased to welcome many of the nation’s leading dental insurance providers.
Important note: If you don’t have insurance, ask us about CareCredit! Their payment plans allow you to space out the cost of your teen’s care into smaller, manageable chunks that fit within your monthly budget.
Is It a Dental Emergency If Your Crown Falls Off?
If your teen’s dental crown falls off, you should contact us right away. Once we know more about the situation, including if your child is in pain, we can determine if a same-day visit to our office is necessary. If it isn’t, we will guide you through what to do to keep your child comfortable as well as protect their tooth and restoration.