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What are teeth caps?
Teeth caps are what most dental providers call dental crowns. Teeth caps may protect or restore your natural tooth or help attach a dental bridge when you have a missing tooth or teeth.
Why would I need dental caps?
Sometimes you’ll want a cap for a tooth to protect your natural tooth, other times you may choose to have a tooth capped for purely cosmetic reasons. Here are some reasons why you may consider teeth caps:
To help keep a weakened tooth from breaking
To restore a worn down tooth
For conditions that require emergency dental care, like a broken, chipped or cracked tooth
To cover a dental implant used to replace a missing tooth
To protect a tooth after a root canal
As a cosmetic dentistry option to cover a misshapen or discolored tooth
Types of caps for teeth
At Aspen Dental, 95% of dental crowns are made from zirconia—the strongest, most durable material available. Explore the other types of teeth caps available to you.
Metal crowns are a durable, affordable option for back teeth because of their metallic color. | Porcelain crowns fused to metal and ceramic are a popular choice because they blend in with your natural teeth. | All-ceramic or all-porcelain crowns are the most natural-looking. Choose them for your front teeth or if you have metal allergies. | Resin crowns are temporary crowns you can wear until your permanent solution is ready. |
Your alternatives to capping a tooth
Sometimes your tooth may need more than a filling, but not quite enough for a cap. In these cases, you may need a dental inlay or onlay. An inlay covers just the chewing area of the tooth, while an onlay covers both the biting surface and the cusp, or pointed part at the top of the tooth.
4 steps to fitting a cap for a tooth
1. Your Aspen Dental dentist removes the outer portion of the tooth to prepare it for the crown. 2. You’ll have an impression or digital scan made of your tooth. 3. You’ll have a temporary crown placed on your tooth while you wait for your permanent crown. 4. When it’s time for your final fitting, your dentist will adjust your permanent crown and secure it in place.
Teeth caps aftercare
New dental caps require attentive care. That means brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing daily and visiting your dentist for regular checkups. You’ll also want to avoid habits that could damage your crown.
How much does capping a tooth cost?
At Aspen Dental, we do anything to make care affordable to you. Ask your local office about dental crown costs and to see an estimated range of pricing. How much your teeth caps cost will depend on factors including the material of the crown, the amount of dental work needed and the location of your Aspen Dental office.
