Introduction

If you’re reading this, odds are you’re trying to decide whether or not to get a dental crown. You are asking yourself: Is a dental crown an amazing solution or a terrible mistake?

In this blog, we will explore the different types of dental crowns, common side-effects, and other options for improving your smile.

What is a Dental Crown?

A dental crown is a tooth shaped “cap” that covers the visible portions of the tooth.

What are the Different Types of Dental Crowns?

Crowns are most commonly used as a restorative measure to protect teeth that have been damaged by decay, but they can also be used as a cosmetic device. They can be made from a variety of materials, including metal or porcelain.

If you’re considering a dental crown, there are a few materials to choose from. These materials include: ceramic, gold alloy, porcelain-fused to metal, and base metal alloys. Here is a breakdown of these options: 

Ceramic

Ceramic dental crowns are porcelain-based and most often used to restore front teeth. They are able to blend naturally with the surrounding teeth.

While this material has the benefit of blending well, it is very brittle and will likely crack or break over time.

Gold Alloy

Gold alloy dental crowns are made from a combination of gold, copper, and other metals. This dental crown option is rather durable. It also does not wear away at your natural tooth, which is a plus.

Porcelain-Fused to Metal

Porcelain-fused to metal dental crowns have a metal base. They are more durable than the ceramic option. Unfortunately, durability is one of the only upsides to choosing this type of crown.

Porcelain-fused dental crown procedure removes much of your tooth’s natural structure.

Base Metal Alloy

Base metal alloys dental crowns aren’t prone to erosion and are relatively kind to your surrounding teeth.

As you can see, there are many dental crown materials to choose from. Each comes with some level of risk. Whether it cracks easily or is unkind to neighboring teeth, each material has its downfall.

The dental crown process itself also poses many possible complications. Read on to learn more!

What are the Side-Effects of Dental Crowns? Pain, Discomfort, Sensitivity and More! 

Dental crowns come with many possible complications. Many patients suffer pain, discomfort and sensitivity. Some even experience allergic reactions, tooth decay, and infection. These issues often take several weeks to subside. In some cases, they never do.

Many patients continue to suffer excruciating tooth pain even when the process is long over. They are forced to schedule more appointments, endure further treatment and pay a much higher dental bill than they anticipated. 

Here is a run-down of some of the harsh side-effects that make dental crowns a potentially terrible mistake: 

Sharp Pain or Tooth Ache

Patients often experience sharp pain or aches after their dental crown procedure. This almost always means the nerve in their tooth has died.

When a tooth nerve dies, gasses are developed and pus forms. With nowhere to go, the gas and pus irreversibly harm the teeth.

If you experience this side-effect, your tooth will require a root canal. This can end up costing an additional fee of around $2,000.

Gum Pain, Disease, and Recession

A dental crown can cause pain or soreness in the gums. Many people experience gum sensitivity and tenderness. This pain may persist and require further appointments or treatment.

Many people who choose dental crowns are also affected by gingivitis. Gingivitis is a gum disease that inflames the gums, making them turn red and bleed. This may lead to gingival recession (gums retract from the teeth). In extreme cases, this condition leaves parts of the tooth root exposed.

Pain When Biting

Many people who get dental crowns experience pain when biting. This discomfort is often caused by the crown being too high. This placement obstructs the teeth on the opposite jaw, causing discomfort.

In order to remedy pain when biting, the height of the crown must be adjusted. This means scheduling another dental appointment and paying more to fix the work your dentist did poorly.

Possible Complications

Chipped Cap

Certain types of dental caps are more vulnerable to chipping. Your dentist may be able fix small chips, but large chips often require a replacement cap.

The porcelain used for porcelain-fused-to-metal caps may break away, revealing the metal structure underneath. These chips may not need to be repaired if the metal is still intact.

Cap Detachment

Caps can detach for many reasons. Biting down too hard and natural wear and tear cause many dental caps to detach.

The cement holding the cap in place can also wash away, causing the crown to become loose. A loose crown can lead to infection or decay of the underlying natural tooth. This will require immediate attention and can cost hundreds-if not thousands-of dollars to remedy.

Dark Line at the Gum

Dental caps made of porcelain infused with metal often leave a dark line at the gum. This eye sore is the metal of the cap showing through the gums. If this dreaded dark line forms in your mouth, it will require yet another procedure to fix.

Improper Fit and Alignment

A cap that’s too high or off in fit can result in tooth pain. 

How Much Does a Dental Crown Cost?

Dental crowns are very expensive. The cost depends mainly on the material used in the crown.

The average cost is $800 to $1500 per crown. This price can rise depending on the material used and tooth size. For example, a gold crown can cost as much as $2,500.

The cost of a dental crown also rises if a dentist has to do more preparation to the teeth. Many dentists end up performing root canals or dental implants, both of which increase dental crown cost exponentially.

Keep reading to learn how long dental crowns last!

How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?

Dental crowns only last around 5 years, and many don’t even last that long. 

While it is possible for small chips to be repaired without removing the crown, large or multiple breaks require a complete replacement. This means you will have to start the dental crown process completely over. This will cost you more money, time, pain, and discomfort. 

You will likely have to continue replacing your dental crown every 5 years for the rest of your life. What a commitment!

Want to avoid this life-long responsibility? Read on to discover a new alternative to dental crowns.

Are There Any Alternatives to Getting a Dental Crown? YES!

Dental caps can be extremely expensive and often come with many side-effects and complications.

Brighter Image Lab’s Bil Veneers are a great alternative to dental caps. They are completely removable and require no alteration to your existing teeth. They simply snap over your natural teeth for the instant appearance of a perfect smile.

Unlike dental caps, Bil Veneers require no appointments, come with zero side-effects, and don’t require a dentist. 

Bil Veneers are great alternative to getting dental caps because they are affordable and come with no complications. These unique veneers are lightweight and comfortable enough to wear all day. They are strong enough to hold up against foods and durable enough to last years with proper care.

If you don’t like your smile, you don’t have to pay thousands to alter it. Simply cover your smile imperfections with Bil Veneers!

Benefits of Choosing Bil Veneers Over a Dental Crown

There are many benefits to choosing Bil Veneers over a dental crown. Here are just a few:

Coverage

Bil Veneers cover  your front eight teeth. This is a benefit because each of your smile teeth will be identical to the next.

With Brighter Image Lab, you won’t experience any color differences or placement issues. You’ll receive a comfortable, durable cover that fits over your teeth for the appearance of a perfect smile.

Low-Price

At Brighter Image Lab, we fix smiles for less than the cost of the cheapest dental crown available.

Our revolutionary removable veneers have a low starting cost of $795. Even better – they cover each of your smile teeth. With Brighter Image Lab, you get complete, consistent coverage for far less than the cost of a single dental cap.

Convenience

The convenience of Bil Veneers is a great benefit to anyone considering a dental crown.

Brighter Image Lab’s Lab Direct process allows clients to complete their smile makeover from the comfort of their own home. We simply mail you an impression kit, walk you through the simple process, and use that impression to design your new smile. You never have to come in or have anyone touch your teeth. How convenient!

If you choose Brighter Image Lab to improve your smile, you won’t have to worry about additional appointments or procedures. You won’t have to alter your natural teeth or suffer painful side effects.

Our Lab Direct process delivers top-quality veneers without the need for a single office visit.

We don’t want you to waste your time and money on an ineffective smile solution. Dental crowns often cause pain, sensitivity and infection. They chip, detach and may even leave a dark line at the gums. So, choose the simpler, safer option.

Choose Brighter Image Lab’s Bil Veneers for a complete smile transformation that’s affordable and pain-free.

Interested? Continue reading for an in-depth comparison of Bil Veneers and dental crowns. 

Bil Veneers Vs. Dental Crowns

Celebrities with Dental Caps

Ben Affleck’s smile has been dramatically transformed since he starred in Good Will Hunting in 1997.

Before he began filming Armageddon the following year, Affleck altered his natural smile with porcelain veneers, dental caps, and bleaching agents. This smile transformation no doubt cost the actor tens of thousands of dollars.

Because of the small size Affleck’s natural teeth, many believe the actor had his smile covered with porcelain or ceramic dental caps. Dental caps are most commonly used as a restorative measure to protect teeth that have been damaged by decay. In Affleck’s case, they were used as a cosmetic device.

Affleck isn’t the only celebrity who chose dental caps to improve his smile. Former vice-president Joe Biden also achieved a new smile with caps. 

It doesn’t take a dental professional to tell Joe Biden’s teeth are fake. Before hitting the road to campaign for the 2020 election, the former vice-president dropped $20,000 on a mouthful of ceramic dental caps and bridges.

Despite the top-quality care he undoubtedly paid for, Biden’s caps still appear too white, too opaque, too long and too bulky for him. This just goes to show – no matter how much you pay for dental caps, there is still a chance of undesirable results.

Conclusion

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that covers the visible portions of a damaged tooth. It can be made from a variety of materials, including metal or porcelain. 

Getting a dental crown to improve your smile is extremely expensive and often comes with many side-effects and complications. Many dental crown patients suffer pain, discomfort and sensitivity for weeks – or even months – following their dental crown procedure.

Each crown comes at an average price of $800 to $1500, but the choice of material can dramatically increase that price. For example, a gold crown can cost as much as $2,500. Despite their steep cost, dental crowns only last 5 years, if that. Porcelain crowns are especially weak and may chip or break before the 5 year mark.

Luckily, Brighter Image Lab offers a great alternative to dental crowns. Bil veneers are removable, affordable and side-effect free! They are comfortable enough to wear all day, strong enough to hold up against foods and durable enough to last years with the proper care.

Choosing Brighter Image Lab to improve your smile means you won’t have to worry about additional appointments or procedures. You won’t have to alter your natural teeth or suffer painful side-effects. You’ll receive a custom-fit removable veneer without any pain or hassle. 

Don’t settle for a dental crown! Click below and place your Bil Veneer order today!