Category Archives: Ceramic Crowns

Can an Electric Toothbrush Loosen a Crown?

After getting teeth whitening and new crowns, I invested $150 in an electric toothbrush in July, and I think it loosened my crown. I received two crowns in May, and one is loose. I intended to take good care of my teeth and minimize cavities because I want to stay out of the dental office unless it’s necessary. But within the past two weeks, I’ve felt my crown loosening. The loose one is a crown on a post. I stopped using the toothbrush already, but are the vibrations known to loosen crowns? I wish I had asked about this before spending money on the toothbrush. Thank you. Giada B. from NJ

Giada,

Sonic vibrations in electric toothbrushes help loosen plaque, but they are not strong enough to loosen the cement from your dental crown.

Dentists use high-powered ultrasonic scalers to remove a cemented dental post from a tooth. But the tip is rigid and transfers the full strength of the vibrations wherever a dentist applies it. Even with this instrument, a dentist must press firmly on the post for an extended period to loosen a post.

The vibrations of an ultrasonic or sonic toothbrush are gentle. If your post and crown are cemented properly, the toothbrush will not loosen them. But a loose dental crown is a problem. Schedule an appointment with your dentist right away. He or she will remove your new crown and determine why it is loose.

You received your crowns in May—so they are not old or worn and should not be loose. It seems that something went wrong in the cementing process, and your dentist must stabilize your crown to prevent damage to it, your bite, and other teeth.

If your dentist can’t resolve the issue, schedule a second opinion with an advanced cosmetic dentist with training in occlusion and bite. Hopefully, it will not be long before you can enjoy your brighter smile and new crowns.

This post is sponsored by Plano, Texas, female dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

How much is a tooth crown if I don’t have dental insurance?

I am only working part time, and I don’t have dental insurance. I have a tooth that has been filled several times, and my dentist says that the tooth is really damaged. He says that I need a crown. I am going to get a second opinion to see if I really need a crown. If I do, I want to get an idea of how much it costs, but without insurance. Can you give me an estimate of how much a crown costs without insurance? Thanks. Jared

Jared – The cost of a dental crown varies based on the type of crown you receive, where you live in the country, and the dentist you choose. You can choose an all-porcelain crown or a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown, which can be fused to base metal, noble metal, or high noble metal.

An all-porcelain crown has a porcelain foundation. A crown fused to base metal will have a foundation that is not precious metal. Noble metal contains gold. High noble metal contains a higher percentage of gold. Depending on the dentist you choose and where you live in the country, the cost of a porcelain-fused-to-base-metal crown can range from $806.00-$1,200.00. The cost of an all-porcelain crown is approximately $900.00-$1,500.00. Other fees and expenses will likely be incurred in association with receiving the crown.

If you receive a crown, you want one that will look natural and that will last. We recommend that you find one or two experienced cosmetic dentists to examine your tooth. Regardless of the type of crown you choose, an artistic cosmetic dentist will give you optimum results for the crown type. You can also ask about payment options to make the restoration of your tooth affordable.

This post is sponsored by Plano, TX cosmetic dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

Which is more affordable? Porcelain veneers or dental bonding for peg laterals?

I know porcelain veneers are not cheap, but I also read that applying dental bonding takes a lot of time for cosmetic dentists to do and it can be expensive. I have 2 peg laterals and want to know which is more affordable and which I should really get. Thanks. Pam

Pam – Dental bonding is more affordable than porcelain veneers. But what you really need to know is what treatment is best for your case.

An examination and diagnostic studies from an experienced cosmetic dentist will help determine your options. The least expensive option may not give you the best, longest-lasting results. It may wear with time and need to be replaced.

Teeth can be widened and lengthened with cosmetic bonding. This technique requires skill, experience, and artistic talent on the part of a cosmetic dentist. It can be completed in one visit. Quality dental bonding can last ten years or more if it is properly maintained. Bonding stains and discolors faster than porcelain veneers and crowns. It will need to be polished periodically and replaced occasionally.

Porcelain crowns cover the entire tooth surface from the gumline to the biting surface. Porcelain can be mixed and manipulated to reflect the color, characteristics, and translucency of natural teeth. A cosmetic dentist along with his or her master ceramist can produce beautiful results.

Porcelain veneers are bonded to the front of teeth. Light preparation of the teeth may be required to prevent the veneers from looking bulky or too large. Veneers can last 15 to 20 years or longer. They are stain resistant.

Schedule an appointment with an experienced cosmetic to discuss your options. If you want to proceed with treatment, an exam and x-rays will be required to assess the condition of your teeth and the preferred treatment options.

Your cosmetic dentist will discuss how the treatment you choose can be made affordable for you.

This post is sponsored by Plano, TX dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

Nervous about getting crown on front tooth

2 years ago I injured my front left tooth in an accident. The tooth didn’t appear to be damaged, but it is slowly turning darker. My dentist has made several attempts to whiten the tooth and do a root canal treatment but the color is off and it’s becoming increasingly noticeable. He told me that I can get a crown for the tooth but that scares me. One of my best friends has two crowns on her front teeth and they look horrible. Are there any other options that I should consider? Thanks. Doris

Doris – The look of a dental crown on any tooth depends on the skill and artistic talent of the dentist who provides it.

A cosmetic dentist who has skill in restoring teeth, along with an artistic approach, will ensure that your crown looks completely natural in every way. The crown will match the color and characteristics of your natural teeth so that people won’t be able to distinguish it from your natural teeth.

Find a few cosmetic dentists in your area. Ask to see pictures of completed work, including crowns. You can also ask questions about your concerns to help build your confidence in the dentist that you select for your crown. When you select an experienced cosmetic dentist, the results will be beautiful.

This post is sponsored by Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.