The cheapest way to repair a broken tooth would be to fill it using an over the counter dental repair kit, but keep in mind this will only work as a temporary fix, and may actually worsen the injury in some cases. You will need to see your dentist to have your tooth properly examined to make sure you do not have any infection forming, and to see just how extensive the break is.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are tooth-shaped caps that cover the teeth. When you go to your dentist to have dental crowns fitted, she will take X-rays of your mouth to make sure you have no extensive tooth decay or infections in the tooth’s root or in the bones of the surrounding teeth. If your dentist finds that you have an infection or tooth decay, you will be advised to have a root canal before the dental crown procedure.
There are many different materials that crowns can be made from but the most available ones are metals, porcelain, resin and all porcelain. Metal dental crowns include gold alloy and other base metal alloys. Metal crowns are the most durable, being that they are resistant to cracking and chipping. Porcelain crowns have all the strength of metal crowns with the added bonus of looking like a normal tooth. Because these crowns are made from porcelain, it makes them more prone to cracks and chips. All resin crowns are the cheapest option. They will do the job structurally by protecting the tooth, but they will not last long.
Once you chose your material, the dentist will create an impression of the affected tooth. The dentist will send this impression to a dental lab who will fashion a crown. During this two-week process, you will be given a temporary crown to wear. When the crown comes back, it will be cemented to your tooth. Dental crowns normally last between 10 to 15 years.
Costs
Dental crowns typically cost between $500 and $3,000 per crown. This price is based on the location of the practice, the dentists expertise and training, the extent of work needed, and materials used. Porcelain fused to metal crowns cost around $580 to $860, if they are fused to gold it costs $600 to $1,050.
When finding a dentist to do the crown, make sure the dental crown, the office visits (to fit you for the crown and the installation of the temporary crown) are included in the cost. There may be costs in addition to this which will include your first office visit and X-rays. The initial visit is normally between $65 and $102, while the X-rays are between $13 and $135.
Depending on the location, you may be eligible to receive a discount on services. If you live near a dental college, often times they will offer discounted dental services. You will not have a professional installing your crowns, but the student doing them will be supervised by one during the whole process. Also, if you are low-income, you can check with the American Dental Association to find a dental group that pays partial fees. These associations are state-run.
If you have dental insurance, make sure you ask for the ADA (American Dental Association) code from the dental practice. Your insurance company will need this code in order to see if they cover it. They can also use this number to let you know how much of the cost they will pay. Do not use a generic code for crowns, there are over 16 codes for them, make sure you use the exact one for your procedure.
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Writer Bio
April Khan is a medical journalist who began writing in 2005. She has contributed to publications such as "BBC Focus." In 2012, Khan received her Doctor of Public Health from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. She also holds an Associate of Arts from the Art Institute of Dallas and a Master of Science in international health from University College London.
