Need Crown For Tooth

[euro]

Dental cleanings and exams are opportunities for dentists to sell you something.

Dentists are salesmen. If the tooth is not causing pain, say no to the sales pitch.

That's a mighty cynical way to look at it! I'm not saying that there aren't any dentists that might be overeager or some even borderline crooks, but the vast majority of them are reasonable professionals that make judgments based on the particular situation. Obviously, they can't always be 100% certain, so from time to time they might recommend a procedure that could be delayed or even skipped. But they do go through a ton of training and know a lot more about this than pretty much all of us on these boards, so I'm inclined to trust their judgment, especially if I have a longstanding relationship with them and they have earned my trust.

 

[Buckeye]

My dentist does the 3D printed ones while you sit in the chair. About $850 and one visit. I have one in my mouth now. No problems going on 4 years. I also have the old make a mold kind too. They act the same.

My dentist does 3D printing also. Very convenient. Max allowed for a crown by VA group dental plan (VADIP, Delta Dental) is $747. Insurance covers 70% so my part is $224 (plus $38.70 if build-up is required. I can see on the pre-treatment estimate the dentist charges $1211 for a crown and $313 for build-up, if required. I didn't retire with a military pension but the VA group dental insurance plan has been a godsend for my troublesome teeth!

 

[Time2]

My dentist does the 3D printed ones while you sit in the chair. About $850 and one visit. I have one in my mouth now. No problems going on 4 years. I also have the old make a mold kind too. They act the same.

Are you sure they are 3D printed? I recently had a same day crown, but it is a subtractive process, actually a small 3D Milling machine using a ceramic substrate that is cut and then fired. The confusion may be that they get a 3D laser Diagram(?) of the prepared tooth and then cut the tooth. I got to watch it being cut.



The differences between additive manufacturing and subtractive manufacturing are significant. Additive manufacturing, often referred to as 3D printing, adds successive layers of material to create an object. Subtractive manufacturing removes material to create an object.

 

[gwill1010]

gwill1010 is right. Ask why.

Reasons to get a crown:

https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/dental-crowns
Hmmm-the dentist told you so is not on that list. And some finding on Xray is not on that list either.

I had a crown a few months ago due to a very sensitive and painful tooth, with a large filling from childhood. My dentist evaluated my symptoms and did a number of physical exam type tests to decide crown vs. root canal.

No dentist can tell you that you need a crown based on an Xray alone. Just like no doctor should be making a diagnosis without evaluating you (not just an Xray).

Did your dentist suddenly get a 3D printer that makes crowns and wants to generate income for his/her practice? Worth exploring IMO.

Exactly. I've got a bunch of crowns. I'm 100% the last one was not needed. Be you own advocate.

 

[mn54]

a crown cannot be 3D printed. it is made from a solid block of material. we do have 3D printers in dental offices that can be used to make surgical guides, dentures, orthodontic retainers, etc., not crowns.

 

[Buckeye]

Are you sure they are 3D printed? I recently had a same day crown, but it is a subtractive process, actually a small 3D Milling machine using a ceramic substrate that is cut and then fired. The confusion may be that they get a 3D laser Diagram(?) of the prepared tooth and then cut the tooth. I got to watch it being cut.



The differences between additive manufacturing and subtractive manufacturing are significant. Additive manufacturing, often referred to as 3D printing, adds successive layers of material to create an object. Subtractive manufacturing removes material to create an object.

It could easily be milling. I assumed it was 3D printing. There is a heating/firing step. Happens very quickly and the surface is so smooth!

 

[Calico]

I recently broke a piece off a molar on a popcorn kernel. Needs a crown. My out of pocket for the crown is going to be a little over $500. Do you people quoting prices of $1000 to $1500 have dental insurance or is that without insurance?

I paid $1500; I'm on Medicare and have no dental insurance, so I pay full price.

 

[DrRoy]

I have a chipped lower incisor for the second time. Last time the dentist just sort of filled it in for about $170. That one has been good for a couple years so far.

 

[Dream Weaver]

I recently broke a piece off a molar on a popcorn kernel. Needs a crown. My out of pocket for the crown is going to be a little over $500. Do you people quoting prices of $1000 to $1500 have dental insurance or is that without insurance?

People chewing un-popped kernels (and ice) have given many a dentist boat payments over the years. Teach the younger generations to avoid this habit if they do it on purpose. The popcorn won the battle on a molar of mine and I had a crown made the same day. CNC milled from a ceramic blank using 3-D scans of the tooth stub. The future is now.

The only negative I experienced was during the 40 min wait the Novocain had apparently started to wear off because when dentist made the final prep for fitting with a blast of cold water and air I could definitely feel it.

 

[Time2]

My dentist does the 3D printed ones while you sit in the chair. About $850 and one visit. I have one in my mouth now. No problems going on 4 years. I also have the old make a mold kind too. They act the same.

Same here, 3D image, put the blank in the miniature milling machine and out comes a perfect replica of the original, then it's fired for strength. About a 2 hr process for me. Never felt any pain.

 

[RetiredHappy]

The 3D crown machine is called CEREC. It is also called same day crown. It does onlay too.

 

[athena53]

I just had a crown placed on a cracked tooth, but there was a process he used to secure the crack prior to the crown. I have no idea if it will work as this is a new dentist for me in Tennessee. He has also done 2 implants and I am waiting for the crowns on those. Thank God for dental Insurance from my company.

VW

I've had that, too. I could feel the crack with my tongue so I knew it was real. Fortunately the crown has held up. I think the going rate for crowns with my dentist ahs been $1,000-$1,500. I don't have insurance.

 

[becca]

Just had a crown done - $1,600 (no dental insurance)

 

[AudiDudi]

DW got a crown last year - the cost was a tad over $800 here in Montana. No insurance.

 

[mebden]

Just had one done in May 2024 in Louisiana 1400 for a crown and another 1750 for a root canal no insurance so people paying under 800 is a steal

 

[marko]

My dentist does the 3D printed ones while you sit in the chair. About $850 and one visit. I have one in my mouth now. No problems going on 4 years. I also have the old make a mold kind too. They act the same.

+1. I got the "one hour, watch as we make your tooth" last year. Over and done in no time! I don't remember but I want to say it was about $1800. Worth it IMO.

I also have one that's now maybe 40 years old or more, still doing fine.

 

[rembrandt]

I had a new back molar crown put in about a month ago, and it popped out this weekend while eating chocolate. I have an appointment tomorrow to try to re-attach it. I am upset about this and hope that the dentist is not incompetent.

 

[athena53]

Dental cleanings and exams are opportunities for dentists to sell you something.

Dentists are salesmen. If the tooth is not causing pain, say no to the sales pitch.

While that seems to be true of the major chains, I have a non-chain dentist I trust. When I have a problem I KNOW I have a problem. I just had a crown replaced last week- broke off a piece of a previous crown and I could feel the jagged edge. It was about $1,000- I'm in Kansas City, no insurance.

 

[Buckeye]

I had a new back molar crown put in about a month ago, and it popped out this weekend while eating chocolate. I have an appointment tomorrow to try to re-attach it. I am upset about this and hope that the dentist is not incompetent.

How did your bite feel before it fell off? That seems really soon to have a crown come off but if the bite was off then I can kind of understand. But that's still really soon to have that happen! Sounds like he used temporary cement instead of permanent.

I just had to have one rescemented but I think it's been on for about 20 years. I was chewing an extremely sticky caramel in France (bad girl, I know better). Thankfully, the crown stayed in place well if I didn't chew directly on it because we still had a week left on our trip!

 

[jcretire77]

Too many ice cubes and popcorn kernels abused my teeth through the years. In 2015 I had a tooth crack and the nerve died and it was miserable. I decided to have it pulled and not replaced and I have been fine with out it. Two years later I got my first crown. My dentist was a good friend and only charged me for material, $350. He retired, dang it. My dentist for the past two years has much better technology then the previous and we have been watching the cracks in my other molars. Finally last week started the process and I currently have two temporaries. $3068. No dental insurance.

 

[frank05]

My dentist now does 3D scanning. He only uses the old impression rubber material to do the temp crown. I found with this new method the permanent crown fits almost perfectly, he does very little grinding on it get adjust the fit.

 

[rembrandt]

How did your bite feel before it fell off? That seems really soon to have a crown come off but if the bite was off then I can kind of understand. But that's still really soon to have that happen! Sounds like he used temporary cement instead of permanent.

I just had to have one rescemented but I think it's been on for about 20 years. I was chewing an extremely sticky caramel in France (bad girl, I know better). Thankfully, the crown stayed in place well if I didn't chew directly on it because we still had a week left on our trip!

My bite felt totally normal. I just bit into a piece of chocolate, and it popped off. I just came back from the dentist and he re-cemented it on. He apologised profusely. Hopefully it takes this time!

 

[Healthy Lifestyle]

Too many ice cubes and popcorn kernels abused my teeth through the years. In 2015 I had a tooth crack and the nerve died and it was miserable. I decided to have it pulled and not replaced and I have been fine with out it. Two years later I got my first crown. My dentist was a good friend and only charged me for material, $350. He retired, dang it. My dentist for the past two years has much better technology then the previous and we have been watching the cracks in my other molars. Finally last week started the process and I currently have two temporaries. $3068. No dental insurance.

Does that price include permanent crowns?

 

[MarieIG]

I haven't had any - yet - but I do have DF's teeth. (Murphy's Law - DM had thick, white, straight, beautiful teeth: DF had crowded, thin, yellowed teeth.)

DF was constantly spitting out bits of tooth, but he did insist on eating candy, including caramels , which did not do him any favors . . .

 

[OldShooter]

This morning's crown story: DW had a crown come off a front tooth Friday evening. Called the University dental school and was given the first urgent care slot this morning/Monday. Faculty doctor observed that the crown was very old and, with a couple of other 20+ YO crowns would have to be replaced some day. Apparently the materials get brittle and fail. But, she said, there's no reason to rush that. We can just re-install this crown and probably delay replacement for a few more years. Student dentist had not done one of these before so the faculty dentist hovered closely and coached the details of the work. DW is very happy.

That's one of the things we like the most about the clinic. Nobody is selling anything. It is all about simply doing what is necessary and wise.