Crowns
Dental crowns come in many different types and sizes. The two most common varieties are gold and porcelain. Here is an example of a gold crown:
Gold crowns are stronger but not as esthetic as porcelain. They are usually placed in posterior areas, where the strength is important, but where there is less concern for cosmetics. Porcelain Crowns are just as strong as gold crowns, but are more esthetic. Usually, but not always, they are made with a gold sub-structure, that gives the crown its strength and accurate fit. This is why they are often referred to as Porcelain Fused to Metal crowns or "PFMs" for short. Here is an example of a porcelain crown.
Recent advances in porcelain technology has made a third type of crown available. This new crown is made exclusively of porcelain, often reinforced with new materials to make is stronger. The reason for this new form of crown is to provide the esthetics of the PFM, the strength of the gold crown, but to eliminate the metal.
Frequently Asked Questions Q. How much do crowns usually cost? A. Gold and porcelain crowns are all the same cost in most dental offices. The range for fees can be substantial, depending upon the quality of the lab used, and the type of metal in the crown. Usually, a full crown will cost between $850 and $990. Q. How long do they last? A. While it is impossible to "guarantee' the life of a crown, most crowns will last a lifetime. Insurance companies will re-pay on a crown after five years. And, in clinical practice, the durability of many crowns seems to be 20 years plus. Q. How many crowns have you placed? A. Our office has placed over 14,000 crowns successfully. We have had fewer than 1% come off or need replacement over 27 years. Q. How much does insurance usually pay on a full crown? A. Most insurance companies will pay approximately 50% of the cost of a crown, based on their schedule of fees, which varies with each carrier. Q. How many visits does it take to make a new crown? A. Most crowns involve two visits. The first one is for the crown preparation (which usually takes an hour). The second visit only takes a half-hour, and will usually be scheduled two weeks after the preparation appointment. Q. What protects my tooth while the real crown is being made? A. During the two weeks while the real crown is being made in the dental laboratory, you will have a temporary crown on the tooth, to protect it and keep it from drifting out of position.
If you think you may need a crown, please contact us - either by phone or online. We will schedule a complimentary examination appointment. Our telephone number is 650-965-1234. Best Regards, Dr. Burch |
