Dental Crowns – Castle Rock, CO

Giving Your Child a Fully Protected Smile

Child with pediatric dental fillings and crowns smiling

Maybe your child is experiencing dental decay, developmental concerns, or a serious injury to one or more teeth. When these situations arise, Dr. Layne Benzley is here to help, providing much-needed support and restorative dentistry. Dental crowns can cover natural teeth, helping to preserve them while improving their strength and function. Our Castle Rock, CO, pediatric dental office welcomes new patients from all over The Meadows and other nearby neighborhoods. Contact us today to schedule a visit for pediatric dental crowns in Castle Rock!

Why Choose Castle Rock Smiles Pediatric Dentistry for Dental Crowns?

  • Stainless-Steel and Zirconia Dental Crowns Available
  • Highly Personalized Dental Care for Each Patient
  • Board-Certified Pediatric Dentists on Staff

What is a Dental Crown?

Model smile with dental crown restoration

Dental crowns are designed to fit over an entire individual tooth, essentially covering its natural shape and protecting it while also providing a durable, lifelike replacement. There are a wide variety of reasons why our team at Castle Rock Smiles Pediatric Dentistry may recommend that your child has a customized dental crown placed, including:

  • Badly decayed tooth that’s too severe for a filling to treat
  • Fractured tooth
  • Weakened tooth that needs additional support
  • Teeth with defective enamel
  • Restoring a tooth treated with a pulpotomy

Dr. Benzley offers traditional stainless-steel crowns as well as tooth-colored Zirconia crowns. Tooth-colored crowns are always used for front teeth but are also available for back teeth under appropriate conditions.

The Dental Crown Process

Dentist preparing to treat child with a dental crown

Dr. Benzley will begin by cleaning your child’s teeth before administering local anesthesia. This will help to numb the area surrounding the tooth. He will start to clean out any decayed or damaged portions to ensure it is clean and free of any harmful debris.

Once the tooth is cleared and filed down, we will determine if a stainless-steel or zirconia crown is required. If your child needs a stainless-steel version, we will select the material and begin to trim and size it accordingly. It will then be attached over the tooth using dental cement, which helps hold it in place.

If a zirconia crown is chosen, we will select the material that is pre-sized so that there is no wait time for your little one. We’ll attach it the same way we do stainless-steel crowns, ensuring it is bonded well and delivers maximum protection.

The Benefits of Getting a Dental Crown

Little girl looking at her fully restored smile in the mirror

While you may not want your child to ever need a dental crown, you can remain confident that should one be necessary, they will reap many great benefits as a result, such as:

  • Greater Protection: A dental crown from our expert dentists will help protect your child’s vulnerable tooth as it strengthens and heals over time. Instead of leaving it to worsen, this unique restorative solution offers a chance for their smile to remain intact and in better health over the years.
  • Long-Lasting: Your child’s smile can remain properly protected for 5 years or more. Stainless steel and zirconia are two materials that are highly durable and can withstand normal daily wear and tear that are put on teeth.
  • Fully Restored Smile: Instead of your child living with a tooth that causes pain and other similar problems, they can enjoy a smile that is fully restored. This means they will be able to eat and speak without worrying about causing further damage to their teeth.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Crowns

Little girl with a dental crown in Castle Rock

When your child requires a dental crown to repair and restore their damaged or decayed tooth, you can trust that our team at Castle Rock Smiles will be here to provide all the necessary details about treatment. This includes going over the cost of dental crowns. Not only will we review your dental insurance plan to determine how much coverage you can expect to receive, but we’ll also go over additional payment options to make treating your child’s smile affordable.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Dental Crowns

Child with stainless steel crowns

No two cases are the same, so it’s important that a complete evaluation of your child’s smile occurs before any cost estimate is provided. There are a few different factors that play a role in the overall price of your child’s treatment, such as:

  • The severity of the damage or decay
  • Whether your child will need additional treatment before moving forward with crown placement (i.e., pulp therapy)
  • The type of material that is used (i.e., stainless steel or zirconia)

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Crowns?

Dental insurance paperwork and X-rays

There are many benefits to having dental insurance, one of which is being able to rely on your insurance company to pay a portion of the total cost for minor and major restorative care. If your plan offers 50-80% coverage for this type of treatment, you can expect they’ll first make sure you’ve met your deductible. They’ll also check to see how much of your annual maximum remains. Afterward, you can expect your bill to be reduced based on how much your insurance company agrees to pay.

Other Options for Making Dental Crowns Affordable

Tooth and calculator and plant

At Castle Rock Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, we know that private dental insurance isn’t for everyone, which is why we are pleased to offer alternative payment solutions. Not only will we be happy to provide flexible financing to help you pay off your child’s care over time through monthly installments, but we also accept Medicaid and Health First.

Dental Crown FAQs

How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?

Dental crowns typically last between 5 and 15 years. Of course, the exact lifespan depends on a few things, including the material used and your child’s habits. While metal crowns can sometimes last a bit longer than metal-free ones, the difference is usually minimal. What’s more important is how well your child cares for their teeth.

Be sure to encourage regular brushing, a healthy diet, and avoiding habits like nail-biting, chewing ice, or teeth grinding. It’s worth noting that crowns on front teeth may even last a little longer than those on back teeth since they face less chewing pressure.

Do Dental Crowns Get Cavities?

No, but although the crown itself can’t get a cavity, the tooth underneath still can! Just like regular teeth, crowned teeth are at risk for decay – especially if oral hygiene isn’t the best. Bacteria and plaque can build up around the gums where the crown meets the tooth and sneak underneath, causing damage. That’s why it’s incredibly important for kids to brush and floss every day and come in for regular checkups and cleanings. With good habits, you can keep both natural teeth and crowned teeth healthy and cavity-free.

Are Dental Crowns Safe?

Absolutely! When placed by an experienced dentist, dental crowns are very safe for children. Unlike old metal fillings, metal crowns don’t contain mercury, so there’s no need to worry about toxins. Tooth-colored crowns made from ceramic or zirconia are also completely safe and toxin-free. In rare cases, some kids might have a mild allergy to certain metals.

If your child has ever had a reaction to metal, be sure to tell us so we can explore a metal-free option. If you notice any gum redness, swelling, or irritation around a crown, give us a call right away.

Do Dental Crowns Feel Natural?

Yes! After just a few days, your child’s dental crown should start to feel more and more like a natural tooth. Crowns are made from durable materials that can withstand chewing just like real teeth, so eating shouldn’t be too challenging. Plus, each crown is custom-made to fit your child’s mouth comfortably.

While your child might notice a tiny difference if they run their tongue over their teeth, most kids quickly forget they even have a crown. Of course, don’t hesitate to contact us if it ever feels uncomfortable or “off”. We’re here to help make sure it fits just right!