porcelain crowns Archives - Kentucky Dental Group

Is a Cracked Porcelain Crown a Dental Emergency?

Posted on September 24, 2021 by writeradmin.

I’ve had four porcelain crowns for 15 years. One of them has always had a minor defect, but I could only feel a small divot with my tongue. The crown itself was fine. However, recently, it has changed. I can now see a line on it and it feels different as well. Is this in danger of breaking? Should I treat it as a dental emergency? Is there a way to repair it or do I need to replace it?

Catherine

Dear Catherine,

It sounds like this crown is about to be a problem. I would not consider it a dental emergency, but you will need to replace it sometime soon. One thing to be wary of is a dentist who tells you that you have to replace all of them in order to get them to match. That is not accurate. What it really means is he or she does not have the skill requisite to match a single crown. That is, admittedly, difficult. It is not impossible, though. It just takes some work.

If you actually prefer to replace all the porcelain crowns at once, that is completely fine and up to you. While it may cost you a little more initially, you will save yourself time with repeated appointments as they go out one by one. Just don’t let a dentist pressure you into it. There is nothing wrong with you replacing them just as you need to.

One thing I want you to consider if you decide to get them replaced all at once is the color of your teeth. If you are content with your teeth’ color, no further action is necessary. However, if you are considering brightening the color anytime soon, it will save you a significant amount of money to have your teeth whitening done before you replace your crowns. This way, the new crowns will match the updated color.

Once your crowns are completed, there is no way to change the color. If you whiten your teeth later, you will have the additional expense of replacing the crowns yet one more time in order for them to match.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. John Weaver.

A Broken Front Tooth

Posted on October 24, 2020 by writeradmin.

My nine-year-old daughter fell and chipped her front tooth. I went to our pediatric dentist and he wants to put a stainless steel crown on it. It’s her front tooth! Is there any other possible solution for this?

Karen

Dear Karen,

Many general dentists will see entire families

I haven’t examined your daughter, but if the pulp is healthy a chipped tooth can be solved by dental bonding. You’ll want a cosmetic dentist to do this, however. Your pediatric dentist may not be qualified. That may be why he or she suggested a dental crown to begin with.

However, if the pulp is damaged, then a dental crown may be necessary. That doesn’t mean it has to be a stainless steel crown. There are other options. On a front tooth, I would recommend a porcelain crown. This will look the most natural. You’ll need to be aware that your dental insurance, will usually only cover the cheapest solution. You can ask your dentist to bill the insurance for the one they’ll cover. Then, you pay the difference for the better treatment option.

My concern is that your daughter’s dentist doesn’t seem to be giving you all your options. This is important for you to make the right decision.

Another thing to consider is to see a general dentist who treats children. My experience has been they have a broader view of treatment. They’re still qualified to treat children and all did a pediatric rotation, but they deal more with other issues, than most pediatric dentists do. An additional benefit is your entire family can be seen by the same dentist. This will also enable him or her to see patterns in your family’s genetic make-up that will allow your dentist to be more proactive in your child’s care.

Go ahead and get a second opinion to see if the pulp is in good shape or if a dental crown is truly necessary.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. John Weaver.

Insurance Won’t Cover What My Dentist Wants to Do

Posted on August 15, 2019 by writeradmin.

I’m in need of some advice. I need a dental crown because of decay that built up under a filling. My dentist wants to do something called a post and core, but my insurance only wants to cover the crown only. Is the other really necessary? I’m not made of money.

Candace

Dear Candace,

There is a big difference in the goal of your dentist and the goal of your dental insurance company. While both are a business which wants to make money. One is primarily interested in paying out the least amount of money possible, while the other is primarily interested in keeping your teeth healthy. For the most part, dentists are honest and are just trying to help. Yes, dentists want to make money. They do that by charging for their time fixing your teeth; not by making up things to fix.

Insurance companies want a dentist to just put a crown over a tooth and be done with it. Let me give you the idea behind the post and core build-up. We are taught to do this in dental school. The process is to clean out all the old filling material and build up from there. This helps us be sure there is no residual decay or other problems that otherwise would have gone unnoticed until it is too late and everything has to be replaced. The post and core help to reinforce the tooth so it doesn’t break later, and help hold the crown on.

Affording the Dental Procedures You Need

Your dental crown will not last as long without the protection that a post and core affords. When you have to replace the crown prematurely, you actually end up paying much more than if you’d have gotten the procedure done correctly to begin with. That doesn’t mean you will necessarily have the money upfront you need when your insurance won’t cover what you need. One way around that is to go to a dentist who works to make your dental care affordable.

That doesn’t mean go to a cheap dentist. An affordable dentist will often let you pay out your dental care. They may have an in-house payment plan. Or, they may work through a company like Care Credit, which is a medical credit card. They have low-interest payments and don’t have a penalty for early payoff.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. John Weaver.

Affording Dentistry without Insurance

Posted on June 17, 2019 by writeradmin.

I was laid off from my job last year and used up a lot of my savings before I got a new job. In my new job, I’m considered an independent contractor so there’s no insurance provided, either medical or dental so I’m on my own. I’ve had a rough go lately and am sure I have some cavities. Plus, I think the stress has caused me to start clenching or grinding my teeth because my jaw hurts every morning. Is there a way to get affordable care without insurance?

Amanda

Dear Amanda,

You’ve been through quite a rough patch but it seems like things are starting to look back up for you. I know it’s hard when you don’t have dental insurance, but I want to steer you against just price shopping. There is an important difference between affordable dentistry and cheap dentistry.

When a dentist is unusually cheaper than other dentists there is usually a reason and one you won’t be thrilled with. One common reason for cheap prices is when a dentist is not good at their job and cannot retain clients, therefore they keep their prices super low in order to draw in new patients.

Another way they get their prices so low is by purchasing sub-par materials to make up their profit margin. Often, the procedure fails but not for months after it was completed. Unfortunately, the patient will have no idea it was because of the material the dentist used, so they end up spending more money.

Ways to Get Affordable Dentistry

You can do an internet search using the term “affordable dentist“. This won’t necessarily mean they are cheap, but they do their best to help patients get the care they need. Some will do payment plans through Care Credit. Others have discounts if you use cash.

You can purchase insurance plans without a company. They vary in price but are rarely more than $50 a month. Be aware that many have a waiting period for certain procedures, so if you are going to go that route make sure you do it sooner rather than later.

Teeth Clenching & Grinding

You are likely right about the teeth clenching and grinding. This needs to be dealt with. Fortunately, there is an easy solution. Your dentist can make you a custom-fitted mouth guard. This will protect your teeth from these actions, even while you are sleeping.

This is a serious issue. Not only can this habit lead to TMJ Disorder, but you can also crack your teeth (requiring a dental crown) or loosen them, putting them at risk of coming out.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington Dentist Dr. John Weaver.

Dentist Won’t See Me Until the Afternoon

Posted on January 30, 2019 by writeradmin.

I’m so angry I don’t know what to do. I had a temporary crown on my front tooth and it just fell off. I called my dentist first thing and he said he can’t see me until this afternoon. What the heck? I have a nub for a tooth. Why can’t he see me first thing? Isn’t this a dental emergency?

Sunny

Dear Sunny,

First, take a deep breath. I know you are frustrated and what you have going on is important. That is why your dentist is fitting you in the same day. It isn’t uncommon for a temporary crown to have a problem. They’re meant to be easily removable. However, one falling off isn’t considered a dental emergency.

Your dentist was smart to get you in that day instead of waiting for the next regular appointment or until your permanent porcelain crown was ready. If he’d left it a few days, your adjacent teeth could have shifted in the empty space. Then when he tried to put the crown in, it would no longer fit.

Your dentist is looking out for you by seeing you the same day. I know it is a cosmetic inconvenience and I’m sure it makes it even more awkward being a front tooth.

If you absolutely can’t wait, you could try to call around to some other local dentists to see if they’re having a slow day. They may be able to bond it back on for you. Otherwise, you may have to just wait for the afternoon. Look at it as a chance to hide out at home and catch up on a show you’ve been meaning to watch or maybe read a good book.

Before you know it, you’ll be back to smiling with your temporary crown back firmly in place. Be easy on it until the permanent one comes in.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. John Weaver.