When do you need a crown?
A crown is the right choice when a tooth is too damaged for a filling to hold it together.
- A cracked or broken tooth
- A large cavity, or an old filling that is bigger than the tooth around it
- A back tooth after a root canal
- A tooth worn down by grinding
- The top of a dental implant
- A badly misshapen or discolored tooth
Why do dentists recommend crowns?
Because a weak tooth can split, and a split tooth may not be saveable. If a filling will still do the job, Dr. Sayeed will tell you and won’t crown a tooth that doesn’t need it.
How you get a crown at Kingston Smiles
- Exam and X-rays. Dr. Sayeed checks the tooth, its root and the gum around it.
- Preparing the tooth. With the area numbed, decay is removed and the tooth is shaped so the crown fits over it.
- Digital scan. A digital scan replaces trays of impression paste, and the shade is matched to your other teeth. You leave with a temporary crown.
- Fitting. At your second visit the permanent crown is bonded in place and your bite is adjusted.
Two visits, usually one to two weeks apart.
Crown or filling?
Both repair a damaged tooth. The difference is how much of the tooth is left.
| Crown | Filling | |
|---|---|---|
| What it covers | The whole visible tooth | Only the cavity |
| Strength | Holds a weak or cracked tooth together | Doesn’t reinforce the tooth |
| Best for | Large decay, cracks, after a root canal | Small to medium cavities |
| Visits | Usually two | Usually one |
| Typical lifespan | Often 10 to 15 years or more | Often 5 to 10 years or more |
Not sure which you need? See tooth-colored fillings. If enough healthy tooth remains, a filling is the less expensive option.
Caring for your crown
A crown can’t decay, but the tooth underneath can, at the edge where the two meet.
How long does a dental crown last?
Often 10 to 15 years or more. Brushing twice a day, flossing around the crown and regular checkups help it last; a night guard protects it if you grind.
What if your temporary crown falls off?
Call us on 845-336-5855 so we can recement it. Meanwhile keep it safe, avoid chewing on that side, and read what to do if your temporary crown falls off.
Cost and insurance
Every crown is priced after your exam. The cost depends on the tooth and on what it needs first. Read what a dental crown costs in New York for the full picture.
- What affects the cost: whether the tooth needs a root canal or a core build-up first, and which tooth it is.
- Insurance: most dental plans treat a crown as a basic or major procedure and pay part of it. We work with CSEA and Kingston Trust Fund plans and most PPO plans, and check your benefits before you commit.
- Spreading the cost: CareCredit and Cherry let you pay over time.
Dental crown questions
Patients come to us from Kingston, Port Ewen, Lake Katrine, Hurley, Rosendale, Rhinecliff, Saugerties and across Ulster County.
Does getting a crown hurt?
No. The tooth is numbed while it is prepared. It may feel a little sensitive for a few days afterward.
What is a cheaper alternative to a crown?
A large filling, if enough healthy tooth remains to hold it. Dr. Sayeed will tell you honestly whether a filling will last.
Will my crown look natural?
Yes. Crowns are tooth-colored and shade-matched to your neighboring teeth, so most people can’t tell which tooth has one.
Can a crown fall off?
Occasionally, usually because of decay underneath or very sticky food. Keep the crown and call us; it can often be recemented.
Can a crown be whitened?
No. Whitening only lightens natural teeth, so if you plan teeth whitening, do it before the crown is made.
