Do you need a dental crown, but don't know much about them? It can cause you to have a lot of questions about this method of repairing a tooth. Here are a few common questions you likely have about dental crowns. 

What Options Are There For Dental Crowns? 

There are so many options for dental crowns so that you can pick the one that best meets your needs. Where you get to choose is the type of material that is used. There are dental crowns made out of resin, ceramic, porcelain, and even porcelain that has been used to a metal for added strength. The type that you get largely depends on what your budget is for a dental crown and where that tooth is located. 

Crowns on the front portion of your teeth will need a porcelain based crown if you want it to blend in seamlessly with the rest of your smile. Meanwhile, a metal-backed dental crown may be better for a missing rear molar, since that is where you will be doing the majority of your chewing and can benefit from the extra strength. 

How Much Will A Dental Crown Cost?

You should expect a dental crown to cost as much as $2,500 on the high end, and as low as $500. The cost will depend on the material that you use to create the crown. One of the cheaper crowns will be the porcelain option that has a metal backing, which is why they are often used in rear molars where people cannot see them. If you can't see the tooth, you may not notice how the tooth can look a little different with the crown on it. Meanwhile, a porcelain dental crown is going to cost around $3,000, and offer you the most natural looking solution. 

How Long Will A Dental Crown Last?

A dental crown gets worn down easily, so don't expect the crown to last forever. You can expect to get anywhere from 5 to 15 years. The length of time will largely depend on how much stress is put on the crown over the years and if it is holding up. If you're the type of person that has bad habits that can damage your teeth, like chewing ice, you may end up shortening the lifespan of the dental crown so it is shorter than you think, 

Reach out to your dentist for more information about crowns.