Caring for Your Temporary Crown
A temporary crown is held with lighter cement so it can be removed easily, so treat it gently until your permanent crown is ready:
- Avoid sticky and chewy foods like caramel and gum.
- Chew mostly on the other side of your mouth.
- Slide floss out to the side instead of pulling it up, which can loosen the temporary.
- If your temporary comes off, keep it and call us. You can slip it back on with a little temporary dental cement from the pharmacy until we see you.
Benefits of Dental Crowns
- Restore strength to cracked and weakened teeth
- Protect teeth from breaking further
- Can save a tooth that might otherwise need to be extracted
- Restore comfortable chewing and a natural bite
- Improve the look of stained or misshapen teeth
- Last for many years with good care
How Long Do Crowns Last?
With good care, most crowns last 10 to 15 years, and many last much longer. How long yours lasts depends on the material, where it is in your mouth, your oral hygiene, and habits like grinding your teeth.
To help your crown last:
- Brush twice a day and floss daily, especially along the gum line, where decay can start under a crown.
- Avoid chewing ice, hard candy, and popcorn kernels.
- Wear a night guard if you grind or clench your teeth.
- Keep up with regular checkups and cleanings.
Common Crown Problems and Fixes
- Sensitivity after placement: mild sensitivity to hot and cold is common for a few days and usually fades. Let us know if it lasts longer or gets worse.
- A high bite: if your teeth hit the crown first when you bite, call us. A quick adjustment fixes it.
- A loose crown: this can mean the cement has washed out or decay has started underneath. Call us so we can check it before it comes off.
- A crown that falls off: keep it, avoid chewing on that side, and call us. A crown that comes off is a dental emergency, and we can often recement it, sometimes the same day.
- A chipped crown: small chips can sometimes be smoothed or repaired. More extensive damage usually requires replacing the crown.
- An old, worn, or dark-edged crown: we can replace it with a modern, natural-looking crown.
Paying for Your Crown
We'll always explain your treatment and your cost before we begin. Here are the answers to the questions patients ask most.
Will my insurance pay for a crown?
In most cases, at least in part. A crown repairs a damaged tooth, so most dental plans cover a portion of the cost, usually as a major service after your deductible. Some plans also limit how often a crown on the same tooth can be replaced. We can send your insurance a pre-treatment estimate, so you'll know your share before your appointment.
We're in-network with Aetna, Ameritas, Assurant, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Delta Dental, GEHA, Guardian, Humana, MetLife, Principal Life, and United Concordia, and we accept many other PPO plans. Our team files the claims for you.
What if I don't have dental insurance?
Our Dental Savers Plan offers savings on dental care for one yearly membership fee: $94 for an individual, or $188 for a family with children under 18. Ask us to sign you up.
Can I pay monthly?
Yes. Sunbit® lets you spread the cost of your crown over 6 to 72 months, and there's no hard credit check. We also accept CareCredit® and offer in-office installment plans.
*Subject to credit approval. Minimum monthly payments required. Visit www.carecredit.com for details.
Can I use my HSA or FSA?
Yes. Dental crowns are often an eligible expense for Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Cash, checks, debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.
Dr. Jae An, DDS: His Path to Lynn Creek Dental Care
Dr. Jae An's training has given him a strong foundation in restoring teeth, from a single crown to a complete smile. Here's how he got here:
- A start in science: He earned his Bachelor's in Biology at the University of Maryland.
- Dental school: He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from NYU College of Dentistry.
- Hospital residency: He completed a general practice residency at Jersey City Medical Center, building experience across a wide range of dental care.
- Advanced training: He completed the RSDM/AAID MaxiCourse in Implant Dentistry, enabling him to restore missing teeth with implant crowns and protect damaged ones. He has also trained in facial injectables.
- Giving back: In 2007, he founded the SOMA Dental Mission of New York, a nonprofit that provides dental care through mission trips.
- Grand Prairie: Today, he cares for patients and families at Lynn Creek Dental Care.
Outside the office, Dr. An's world revolves around his wife and daughter, and around music. He plays piano, guitar, drums, and cello.
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