Stop Tooth Pain in its Tracks

Posted on: 1 June 2019

A dental crown is a cover that your dentist places over an existing tooth to alter its shape, function, or size. Some crowns are placed due to dental emergencies, but others are planned events that patients are able to somewhat plan for.

If your dentist has told you that you need a crown, you may wonder how quickly you need to have the procedure completed. Here are a few things to consider when deciding when you should book your appointments for your new dental crown. The process of getting a dental crown typically requires at least 2-3 appointments because your dentist has to order a crown customized for your tooth. 

1. Whether You're in Pain or Discomfort

If you're in pain or discomfort from the health of your teeth, it's better to get your crown sooner rather than later to help minimize the implications to your quality of life. For example, if you need a crown because you have a cavity that is too large for a filling, you'll likely want to get the crown as soon as you can to minimize soreness associated with the cavity.

However, if you need the crown mainly for aesthetics, this likely isn't as pressing unless you have an event in the near future that you would prefer to have your crown for. You can take a little more time to make sure that you're able to book for appointments for your crown when it's convenient for your schedule and budget.

2. Your Dental Insurance Benefits

Depending on the materials used for your crown, most crowns cost anywhere from $800 to $3,000. If you have dental insurance and it offers benefits for placing dental crowns, it's wise to utilize your policy in a manner that offers as much coverage as possible.

You may have an expensive deductible to pay before your policy starts covering dental procedures; if you've already met this deductible, you likely want to schedule your appointments for your crown before your deducible resets. Or, perhaps your policy only offers a specific amount of coverage each year for dental crowns. In cases where you've already used the stated annual coverage, waiting until the policy resets can make your procedure more affordable. 

3. Whether You Need Any Procedures Before Your Crown

You might need to have a procedure to prepare your tooth for the crown. A root canal is one such commonly prescribed procedure that patients need prior to getting their crowns. it's vital to make sure that you complete any additional recommended procedures prior to the appointments for getting your crown. Your dentist can't begin the process of fitting you for a crown until they know what they're working with.