Dental crowns in Okotoks have been a go-to treatment for several tooth problems for many years. They provide a means of making damaged teeth look and perform better. Dental crowns, however, are not appropriate for everyone.
While some people might find them uncomfortable, others can have health issues that make placing crowns difficult. Don’t worry if you find yourself in a scenario like that. Several dental crown substitutes can provide comparable advantages.
These substitutes include partial dentures, dental implants, and many more. These solutions cater to various needs and situations, each with special benefits and potential pitfalls. We’ll go into more detail about these dental crown alternatives in this piece.
Therefore, if you want to learn more about dental crown alternatives, you’ve reached the perfect spot. Together, let’s start down this path to better dental health. Continue reading to learn about your options outside of dental crowns.
1. Inlays And Onlays
Inlays and onlays might be the ideal choice if you’re looking for a less invasive option to dental crowns that seeks to preserve most of your natural tooth structure. When tooth damage is considerable but not severe enough to necessitate full dental crowns, these are appropriate. The first step in placing inlays and onlays is to remove the tooth’s damaged area.
Your dentist will fit the inlays or onlays onto your tooth after they are created, ensuring that they match perfectly with the rest of your teeth. Typically, gold, porcelain, or composite resin are used to create inlays and onlays because they are strong and long-lasting.
The least expensive choice is composite resin, whereas porcelain can mimic the look of your teeth but is generally more expensive. The most expensive and long-lasting substance is gold, but it is less common because of its price and metallic appearance. They can endure for ten to fifteen years or even longer with good oral care, routine dental checkups, and avoiding habits that could harm your inlays or onlays.
According to a study, Inlays had a mean survival percentage of 90.89%, while onlays and dental crowns had survival rates of 93.50% and 95.38%, respectively. If your insurance policy covers inlays or onlays, you can anticipate paying $10 to $100, but if it doesn’t, the price might be anywhere from $650 to $1200.
However, if you don’t have dental insurance to cover the expense of the surgery, you can sign up for a personal membership. For instance, at United Dental Care, you can receive a 25% discount on preventative care procedures like fillings, extractions, and dental crowns, particularly onlays and inlays.
2. Dental Implants
Dental implants replace the tooth forever if it is so badly damaged that it must be extracted. The two parts of an implant are inserted by a dentist near you into the jawbone, just below the gum line, and the abutment, which joins the implant to the prosthesis of your choice.
As a result, they can provide effects that can last a lifetime. They are renowned for their endurance and capacity to merge with the jawbone. Additionally, implants have a success rate above 97%.
They resemble genuine teeth and can prevent dental issues like bone and gum loss. Consequently, just like other options for dental crowns, dental implants are a well-liked option for restoring extracted teeth.
People who have lost one or more teeth due to decay, trauma, or damage reaching the root canal are candidates for this operation. Dental implants cannot be placed without healthy gums and jawbones.
Dental implants can last a lifetime, or even 20 to 30 years, with the right care. Maintaining proper oral hygiene and making regular dentist appointments are crucial to addressing potential difficulties.
Dental implants vary in price depending on the number of implants needed and the location of the treatment. A full-mouth dental implant operation can cost between $45,000 and $90,000, whereas a single dental implant can cost between $1,500 and $3,000.
3. Dental Bonding
In addition to having cosmetic and restorative advantages, dental bonding is a softer option for dental crowns. Minor dental problems like discolouration, chipping, cracks, gaps, and size anomalies are addressed by this technique. Composite resin, a pliable substance that may be easily moulded for aesthetic repairs, is frequently used in dental bonding.
Your teeth must first be prepared by having their surface roughened. After choosing a resin hue that complements your teeth, your dentist will apply a conditioning solution to ensure optimal adherence. After that, the resin is polished and shaped to fit the size and shade of your teeth. Dental bonding costs between $300 and $600 and is an inexpensive therapeutic option.
However, it could differ depending on where you live, how many teeth are involved, and how complicated the situation is. Compared to dental crown methods that call for numerous visits, the technique requires less tooth modification and can be finished in a single dentist visit, saving you time.
However, it’s crucial to remember that dental bonding is less resilient than other treatments and could be vulnerable to discolouration because of the makeup of composite resin. However, it can live for three to ten years with the right upkeep and care. Dental bonding can last as long as possible with proper maintenance, although it won’t last as long as dental crowns near you.
4. Dental veneers
Veneers are a great option if you’re looking for a dental crown substitute that prioritizes aesthetics and necessitates little to no tooth modification. Thin porcelain shells, called dental veneers, are made to cover the front of teeth.
Numerous kinds of veneers include zirconia, composite, and porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers are preferred because they closely resemble real teeth and are especially useful for treating tooth discolouration.
Composite veneers, on the other hand, have an opaque appearance and are marginally less robust than porcelain veneers. Although they are the most expensive among other treatments, zirconia veneers are employed in cases of significant tooth damage and are renowned for their outstanding endurance.
Imperfections like chips, cracks, discolouration, or gaps are covered or concealed by them. Dental veneers are for those looking for a quick smile makeover without requiring major tooth reshaping.
5. Partially Removable Dentures
Extensive tooth loss is one dental condition that dental crowns cannot treat. Consider portable partial dentures if you suffer from this tooth issue. They are made up of fake teeth joined by a metal (plastic, cast metal, porcelain, acrylic resin, and polymers) structure to a substrate of gum-colored plastic.
Compared to dental implants or crowns, this restorative alternative is less expensive and can be easily cleaned because it is detachable. However, its stability might not be as strong compared to other solutions.
Summary
Although dental crowns are a common and reliable restorative choice, looking at alternatives that can better meet your needs is crucial. Inlays, onlays, veneers, dental bonding, dental implants, and removable partial dentures have advantages over conventional crowns.
When you consult us at Cimarron Dental Wellness, our dentist in Okotoks will guide you through all options and help you pick the one that best suits your dental requirements.