DENTAL CROWN SIMPLIFIED BY LAKE LANIER SMILES

DENTAL CROWN SIMPLIFIED

BY

LAKE LANIER SMILES/AFFORDABLE BUFORD DENTIST

What is a dental crown? 
A crown is an artificial “cap” in the shape of a tooth. The purpose of the crown is to replace a damaged or discolored tooth. They provide functionality and esthetics similar to the natural dentition.

Why you need a crown:

• In cases where substantial decay undermines the structure and function of the tooth
• Restoring a broken or worn down crown
• Adding strength to a root canalled tooth
• To hold a bridge in place
• In order to cover a dental implant

Types of crowns: The type of crown used is based of several factors- The extent of the damaged tooth, location of the tooth, and cost of the material

• All ceramic: The most esthetic crowns typically placed in anterior regions, however they are brittle and fragile.
• All metal: These provide the most support and strength, particularly in posterior weight baring regions.
• Porcelain fused to metal: A hybrid between all ceramic and all metal, these crowns provide the strength of the metal crowns and the esthetics of all ceramic crowns.
• Zirconia: These crowns can be fabricated at the dental office using a computer software and milled in one sitting.

Cost of crown:

Special Prices of crowns at Lake Lanier Smiles are     

$699 FOR PFM CROWN

$799 FOR ZIRCONIA/ALL CERAMIC CROWN


CROWN SPECIAL
$699 - $799

* Non Insured Patients
*Offer combine with other Coupons also
*Expires 10/31/15
*No Lab Fee Needed

Crown Procedure:

The procedure is conducted in at least two visits.

     First appointment

• The dentist will take impressions for your temporary crown
• After the tooth in question is anaesthetized, the dentist will begin to reduce the size of the tooth in order for the crown (“cap”) to be placed in the next appointment.
• The dentist will take an impression of the prepared tooth and send it to the technician for the permanent tooth fabrication
• In this appointment the patient and dentist choose the shade of the permanent crown most appropriate for the patient.
• A temporary crown will be made using the first impression taken.
• The temporarily cemented crown will protect the prepared tooth until the next appointment.

Second appointment

• The dentist will removed the temporary crown and clean the prepared tooth
• The dentist will sit the permanent crown on the prepared tooth and make sure the fit is accurate
• The dentist will check and adjust the chewing surface if the bite is too high.  
• Once the patient and dentist are satisfied with the crown, the dentist will cement the crown and remove any access cement.

Post op instructions after crown procedure.

• If soreness is felt after the tooth preparation, pain killers such as Ibuprofen may be used.
• In instances when the gum tissue become red or irritated use salt water rinses.
• If anesthetics were used, wait until the numbness subsides before eating anything to prevent injury of the gums and cheeks.
• After the placement of the temporary crown, do not eat sticky or hard food and chew on the opposite side to prevent dislodgment of the crown.
• Eating soft foods is recommended for the day of the crown placement.
• If the temporary crown does break or fall out, save the crown and call our office as soon as possible.
• When flossing around the temporary crown, slide the floss under the crown and pull outwards rather than lifting upwards. This prevents the crown from potentially dislodging.
• Some pressure might be felt one or two days after the placement of the crown. If discomfort lasts longer than two or three days, please visit our office, to prevent any damage to the crown or jaw joint.
• At times the tooth becomes loose due to cement washing out. This poses a risk of bacteria infiltration. If the crown feels loose please call us as soon as possible.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.   Will the crown look like my natural teeth?

A.    Yes, the crowns are fabricated in order to intricately replicate the natural appearance of your teeth. The technicians can paint any staining or color similar to adjacent teeth.

      Q. How long will the crowns last?

      A.Generally they last about ten years. The longevity of the crowns       depends on the oral hygiene and habits of the patient. In patients that grind their teeth, chew on ice or fingernails, the lifetime of the crown reduces due to wear and potential fracture.

Q.   How can I maintain good oral hygiene to maintain the crown?

A. Regular cleaning of the teeth and gums are crucial to the life of the crown. Brushing twice a day and flossing daily will not only protect you crown but your overall dentition as well. . In cases of bridges, there are special flosses known as super floss that can effectively clean inter-dental areas. Avoid eating hard food that may cause fracture. If the patient is a known grinder, the dentist may elect to give the patient a night guard to help prevent damage to the crown

Q.   Will the preparation of the tooth hurt?

A.    No, the tooth will be anesthetized prior to the reduction. If the tooth has been treated with a root canal, a post crown will be placed and anesthesia may not be needed.

Q.   What is a post in a crown?

A.     A post is placed in a root canal tooth on which a crown is placed. The post provides support and stability of the crown.

If you have any questions about your Oral Health or to make an appointment to see us, Call us at 770-831-0559 or visit us at WWW. LAKELANIERSMILES.COM for Valuable Coupons and Specials. Our prices are 30-50 % Off Regular Prices. Call Us before Noon and we will see you the Same Day. We accept most insurances. We are conveniently located just off I-985 at 4965 Lanier Islands Parkway, Suite 105, Buford, Ga- 30418. LAKE LANIER SMILES provides Affordable dental care with outstanding customer service to patients in Buford, Sugar Hill, Suwanee, Cumming, Flowery Branch and surrounding areas.

DENTAL INSURANCE EXPLAINED

By

LAKE LANIER SMILES

Lake Lanier Smiles accept most dental insurances. We are in network with the insurance company. We do all the paperwork and verify your benefits, No hassle for you. Here are the major dental insurance companies which offer dental insurances and have negotiated prices with us.

DELTA DENTAL INSURANCE 

Delta dental is the largest dental benefits carrier in America. They offer affordable and quality dental insurance. Delta dental offers a wide selection of plans. They have affordable premiums with vision benefits along with dental benefits. They have PPO and Indemnity plans. We are proud to be in network with the delta dental PPO.

AETNA DENTAL INSURANCE
Aetna offers a variety of insurance plans to fit your budget. They make dentistry affordable and easy to access. Aetna is one of the largest dental insurance network in the country. Aetna doesn't offer dental insurance directly to individuals but your employer can buy a plan for you. Aetna plans can lower the dental costs. Lake Lanier Smiles participate in Aetna Preferred Provider Organization network.

CIGNA DENTAL INSURANCE
Cigna dental provides easy and cost effective dental insurance. They are better at savings and customer service. Cigna helps patients and saves money at the dentist. Lake Lanier Smiles together with Cigna PPO dental insurance delivers cost effective access to dental care.

HUMANA DENTAL INSURANCE
Humana dental insurance offers plans for individuals and the whole family covering basic preventive services. They offer low deductibles and cover emergency dental care. We are in network with Humana PPO so you can save on dental services when you choose our dental office.

AMERITAS DENTAL INSURANCE
Ameritas has dental plans which help cover the cost of exams, cleanings and treatment to prevent expensive dental work later. Ameritas emphasizes on making a lifetime healthy smile. Ameritas has coverage for preventive, basic and major dental work. We accept Ameritas dental insurance. Lake Lanier smiles will explain your coverage according to your selected plan.

ASSURANT DENTAL INSURANCE
Assurant dental insurance is committed to provide access to dental care through their easy to understand dental plans. Assurant plans work in the budget accomplishing the needed dental work. Lake Lanier Smiles participate with Assurant dental insurance.

BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD DENTAL INSURANCE
BCBS is the oldest health benefits company in America. They offer a large networks of dental plans for you and your family. Some of the plans cover 100% of preventive and regular dental exams and cleanings. We will find your benefits and explain them to you by our insurance coordinator. Lake Lanier Smiles accept BCBS PPO dental insurances.

GUARDIAN DENTAL INSURANCE
Guardian dental insurance plans made millions of patients happy with their quality dental products. We are in network with Guardian dental insurance. Before your appointment at Lake Lanier Smiles we make sure you are covered and by what extent. Generally you have a complete coverage for preventive exams and cleanings. We will let you know your co-payments well in advance so that you are prepared.

METLIFE DENTAL INSURANCE
MetLife with their Preferred Dentist Program offer a wide range of dental options. This is a PPO plan designed to increase value of the benefits and meets the dental goals. They have the commitment and strength to deliver a high quality dental plan to satisfy the patient’s needs. Lake Lanier Smiles can take care of the pain in the mouth and wallet by participating as a preferred provider of MetLife dental plans.

PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP
Principal Life Insurance Company offers dental insurance that is affordable and easy. There are variety of plans to cater for your needs and goals. They have the plans which cover both dental and vision. Lake Lanier Smiles is in network with The Principal.

UNITED CONCORDIA DENTAL INSURANCE
United Concordia recognizes that overall health begins with good oral health. United Concordia provide plans with attractive discounts and maximize the benefits dollars by getting more services. They offer dental plans that combine affordability and flexibility. They have a good mix of dental coverage and dental network. We are accepting new patients at Lake Lanier Smiles with United Concordia for low cost dental care.

UNITED HEALTH CARE DENTAL INSURANCE
United Health care has Preferred Provider Organization(PPO) dental plan which offers great flexibility with network savings. They have one of the biggest networks in America.  United Healthcare has negotiated significantly lower rates with Lake Lanier Smiles so you can enjoy the savings at the dentist. The insurance coordinator will explain your coverage based in your plan.

If you have any questions about your Oral Health or to make an appointment to see us, Call us at 770-831-0559 or visit us at WWW. LAKELANIERSMILES.COM for Valuable Coupons and Specials. Our prices are 30-50 % Off Regular Prices. Call Us before Noon and we will see you the Same Day. We are conveniently located just off I-985 at 4965 Lanier Islands Parkway, Suite 105, Buford, Ga- 30418. LAKE LANIER SMILES provides Affordable dental care with outstanding customer service to patients in Buford, Sugar Hill, Suwanee, Cumming, Flowery Branch and surrounding areas.

LAKE LANIER SMILES BLOG: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO ROOT CANAL TREATMENT

LAKE LANIER SMILES BLOG: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO ROOT CANAL TREATMENT: ROOT CANAL TREATMENT AFFORDABLE ROOT CANAL DENTIST: LAKE LANIER SMILES “You need a root canal treatment”…”NOO!” The words most pati...

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO ROOT CANAL TREATMENT

ROOT CANAL TREATMENT

AFFORDABLE ROOT CANAL DENTIST: LAKE LANIER SMILES

“You need a root canal treatment”…”NOO!” The words most patients dread. Contrary to this, modern root canal treatment procedures are comfortable once numbed well during the appointment. Root canal treatment must be conducted once an inflammation or infection is detected inside and around the tooth.

CAUSES FOR ROOT CANAL TREATMENT

1.      Deep decay spreading into the nerve of the tooth.

2.      Deep filling of a tooth

3.      Trauma to the tooth

4.      Fracture or crack or chip in the tooth

5.      Intentional treatment in some cases like supraerupted teeth

STEP BY STEP ROOT CANAL PROCEDURE

1.      The tooth is numbed by local anesthesia

2.      Tooth is isolated with Rubber sheet called Rubber dam

3.      All the decay is removed

4.      A small access opening is done to reach the inside of the tooth.

5.      Hand and machine files are used to clean the inside of the tooth

6.      The cleaned space is filled with rubber like material called Guttapercha

7.      The access is closed with permanent filling

8.      Most of the root canal treated teeth needs crown for protection from fracture

WHY SHOULD I GET ROOT CANAL DONE

1.      Restore Chewing capacity

2.      Can have your own tooth with sensations

3.      Prevents other teeth/ adjacent teeth from shifting

4.      Preserve the natural position or appearance

5.      Restores your smile

WHAT IS THE COST FOR A ROOT CANAL TREATMENT

The cost of the root canal treatment varies based on the location of the tooth and how complex the tooth canal system is.  At Lake Lanier Smiles we accept most dental insurances and use the insurance benefits for the treatment.

For Non-Insured patients, Lake Lanier Smiles offers good discounts for root canal treatments. Special prices for root canal treatments are as follows.

FRONT TEETH ROOT CANAL TREATMENT: $499 (Regular Price: $800)

PREMOLAR TEETH ROOT CANAL TREATMENT: $599 (Regular Price: $900)

MOLAR TEETH ROOT CANAL TREATMENT: $699 (Regular Price: $1000)

POST OP INSTRUCTIONS AFTER ROOT CANAL TREATMENT

1.      Do not chew hard food on the root canal treated tooth until a crown is placed.

2.      Do not chew until anesthesia wears off.

3.      Sometimes a temporary filling might be placed, needs a permanent restoration.

4.      Discomfort/ slight pain can be managed after the treatment with OTC pain medicines.

5.      If antibiotics are prescribed, then take them as prescribed.

6.      Please consult the dentist or call us at 770-831-0559 if pain continues or swelling is seen.

FAQ'S ABOUT ROOT CANAL TREATMENT

Q. What is Root Canal Treatment (RCT)?

A. Procedure which removes the inflamed and infected tissue inside the tooth to replace with a biocompatible material to save the tooth.

Q. Do Root Canal Treatments hurt?

A. Modern techniques and equipment can safely and painlessly do Root Canal Treatments. But some discomfort can be felt after the treatment and it can be taken care by OTC pain meds.

Q.  How do I know if a tooth needs RCT?

A. Dentist will determine if a tooth needs RCT or not but some signs can tell if you need a root canal treatment like severe pain, swelling, very tender to touch or chew. BEWARE that some teeth might not have any symptoms. Lake Lanier Smiles dentist will do the necessary tests to determine for sure if the tooth needs RCT.

Q. Do I need a crown on Root Canal Treated tooth?

A. Most teeth with RCT does require Crowns to protect the teeth from fractures. In some instances when the cavity is small or some front teeth might be ok without the crowns.

Q. Do I need an antibiotic before or after the RCT procedure?

A. Most cases do not require antibiotics but swelling or severe infections might need antibiotics. The dentist will determine based on the condition.

Q. Should I go the specialist for RCT or my dentist can do?

A. The dentists at Lake Lanier Smiles are trained for doing RCT successfully. Rare instances in complex root anatomies, a specialist for Root Canal Treatment called endodontist might be consulted.

Q. Is RCT always enough to save the tooth?

A. Sometimes if infection is large then a procedure called apical surgery might be necessary.

Q. What is the success rate of the RCTs?

A. Success of a RCT depends on many factors including the stage of the infection, smaller the infection higher the prognosis, extent of fracture, accessibility of the root canals, age of the patient.

Q. Are RCT teeth weaker than my regular teeth?

A. RCT tooth gets brittle and can break but once covered with a crown is stronger than a regular teeth.

If you have any questions about your Oral Health or to make an appointment to see us, Call us at 770-831-0559 or visit us at WWW. LAKELANIERSMILES.COM for Valuable Coupons and Specials. Our prices are 30-50 % Off Regular Prices. Call Us before Noon and we will see you the Same Day. We accept most insurances. We are conveniently located just off I-985 at 4965 Lanier Islands Parkway, Suite 105, Buford, Ga- 30418. LAKE LANIER SMILES provides Affordable dental care with outstanding customer service to patients in Buford, Sugar Hill, Suwanee, Cumming, Flowery Branch and surrounding areas.

DENTAL EMERGENCIES AND PREVENTION BY BUFORD EMERGENCY DENTIST/ EMERGENCY DENTAL CARE IN BUFORD

EMERGENCY DENTAL CARE IN BUFORD

BUFORD EMERGENCY DENTISTRY

DENTAL EMERGENCIES & PREVENTION

A sudden, unexpected dental emergency can happen to anyone, anywhere and anytime and often requires immediate attention. We would like to educate in this article what are different types of dental emergencies, what to do when a dental emergency arises so that you can save your tooth.

We at Lake Lanier Smiles reserve sometime in everyday schedule to take care of your dental emergencies. Most of the time we can treat you the same day. Also we welcome Walk-In Emergency patients in our office. Seeing the dentist as soon as possible can increase the chances of saving the tooth or preventing infection.

TYPES OF DENTAL EMERGENCIES AND SOME HOME REMEDIES

1.    TOOTHACHE: Can be caused by number of things like untreated tooth decay, infected nerve, inflamed gums, sports injury, broken tooth chewing on food. We advise first brush and floss to remove all the food particles. Then rinse with warm salt water. If you have swelling, then use cold compression to the affected area. See your Emergency dentist at Lake Lanier Smiles as soon as possible to prevent further damage to your teeth or worsening of toothache.

2.    SWOLLEN JAW: Swelling is most commonly caused by an abscess. An abscess is an infection in the mouth caused by decay or fractured tooth. When the infection spreads to the surrounding area of the tooth, then It causes the swelling. Rinsing with warm salt water eases pain. This condition needs immediate attention and most probably needs antibiotics. Contact us at 770-831-0559 to be seen ASAP.

3.    LOST CROWN: Crown can be detached or feel loose due to decay, trauma or cement failure. If the crown falls off then try to place it on the tooth with a dental cement you can get Over-The-Counter or tooth paste or denture adhesive like Fixodent/Polygrip. If the tooth is sensitive or painful, then use a cotton swab to apply clove oil on the tooth. If the crown feels loose, then try to take it out by gently moving it side to side or do flossing. It is better be out then swallowing. Never use Crazy glue or Super glue. If it is possible and if the crown feels tight enough, please leave the crown on the tooth so that teeth doesn’t move or shift. Check us out for re-cementing the crown for less cost.

4.    LOST FILLING: A filling can be lost due to fracture in the filling or decay in the tooth. A temporary solution is to use the OTC dental filling material or use a chewed sugar free gum when it becomes soft. See your affordable dentist or Lake Lanier Smiles for affordable fillings.

5.    BROKEN TOOTH: A tooth can break due to previous fracture or decay or a large old filling. If the tooth feels sharp to the cheek or tongue, then use an OTC temporary cement or a chewing gum.

6.    KNOCKED OUT TOOTH: A tooth can be completely knocked out of the mouth due to blunt trauma to the face due to vehicle accidents, sport injuries or a fight. When the tooth falls out on the floor, then gently rinse with water without scrubbing. Hold the crown of the tooth and try to place in the socket back without using force and try to hold it in place with gauze or finger pressure. If you cannot place it in the socket then carry the toot in a container with milk. The tooth has the highest chance of survival if you can see a dentist in 30-60 minutes of trauma.

GENERAL TIPS UNTIL YOU REACH AN URGENT CARE DENTIST

1. Avoid both cold and hot foods as the teeth might be sensitive.
2. Brush and Floss as sometimes pain can be from trapped food in between the teeth.
3. Taking OTC pain meds might be sufficient to ease the pain. Make sure you read the dosage info and side effects.
4. Use of OTC gels like Orajel for the toothache and gum pain.
5. NEVER use an ASPIRIN on the gums or cheek to relieve tooth ache. In fact it causes chemical burn.
6. You can use Cotton socked in clove oil for some relief.
7. Sensitive teeth to hot and cold can be treated with Desensitizing toothpaste like Sensodyne.
8. Using an Icepack on the face might ease some pain.
9. Mildly swollen gums can be eased by Warm Salt water rinses or mouthwash, but remember to floss after every meal.
10. Use dental cement you get in your local pharmacy to fill the broken tooth and cover those sharp edges.

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE

MOUTHGUARDS: Use Mouth guards when playing contact sports. Also wear helmets while playing certain sports like Baseball and Football.

            USING TEETH AS TOOLS: Don’t use your teeth to open bottle caps, cutting threads or tearing bags. Instead use scissors to protect the teeth from trauma.

     HABITS: Bad habits like chewing Ice or popcorn kernels or hard candy can cause teeth to fracture. Never chew Ice or bite into a hard candy.

DENTAL FIRST AID KIT AND ITS USE IN DENTAL EMERGENCIES

You can use these first aid kits readily available in pharmacies for temporary toothache relief, temporarily cover the lost fillings, and temporarily seat the crowns.

PRECAUTIONS

1. Always wash and dry your hands before you touch the temporary material.

2. Never let children handle the material

3. Never use it on a tooth where you are experiencing throbbing pain.

4. Do not place this material on a raw or open wound.

5. Never use on a tooth with swelling associated in that area.

6. Always remember that this is a temporary fix and see the dentist as soon as possible.

Most of the Emergency dentistry patients put off going to the dentist due to cost. At Lake Lanier Smiles we provide Affordable Dental Emergency Care, so just don't worry and wait no further....Just call us at 770-831-0559. At Lake Lanier Smiles you are treated by a caring and gentle dentist in a comfortable and relaxed environment. So don't let your fear stop you from seeing us.

Dental Emergencies can escalate quickly so even if you are experiencing mild to moderate pain, please call Lake Lanier Smiles, your to-go Urgent Dental Care and we will be glad to help you.

If you have any questions about your Dental Emergency or to make an appointment to see us, Call us at 770-831-0559 or visit us at WWW. LAKELANIERSMILES.COM for Valuable Coupons and Specials. Our prices are 30-50 % Off Regular Prices including emergency dental care. Call Us before Noon and we will see you the Same Day for emergency dental treatment. We accept most insurances. We are conveniently located just off I-985 at 4965 Lanier Islands Parkway, Suite 105, Buford, Ga- 30418. LAKE LANIER SMILES provides Affordable Emergency dental care with outstanding customer service to patients in Buford, Sugar Hill, Suwanee, Cumming, Flowery Branch and surrounding areas.

WHY CHOOSE US?

LAKE LANIER SMILES

Affordable Buford Dentist

ü THE 3 C’S: Lake Lanier Smiles is devoted to provide patients the dental care in a Comfortable, Convenient and Cost effective way.

ü PATIENT CENTERED DENTAL OFFICE: We treat the patients like family and make sure all the patients are satisfied with the care they get.

ü TECHNOLOGY & TRAINING: We use technology to give the best patient experience possible. We have TV’s in every room, Digital X -Rays, Panoramic X –Rays, Intra Oral Cameras and more. Each of our doctors have more than 7 years of dental experience and earned more than 500 hours of Continuing Education(CE) Credits.

ü AFFORDABLE DENTAL CARE: You get highly personalized dental care in a straight forward fee structure. That’s why we are called Buford Affordable Dentist.

ü WE BELIEVE IN SERVING NOT SELLING: Our doctors and staff explain clearly each and every treatment option and guide you to make an informed decision.

ü OUR GOAL: Is to build a strong and long lasting relationship with our patients by providing genuine and personalized dental care.

ü AFFORDABLE DENTAL FINANCING: We provide 100% dental care financing through Care Credit for qualified patients. We give Interest Free financing and extended finance options up to 12 months.

ü  COUPONS/ SPECIALS: Lake Lanier Smiles, an Affordable Buford dentist provides monthly coupons for many services like exam, root canals, crowns, dentures, extractions and more. Check our website at www.lakelaniersmiles.com

ü NO IF’S AND BUT’S: Our Monthly Specials are straight forward without any catches and self-explanatory. We don’t charge any lab fee, upgrade fees or any limitations or exclusions.

ü DENTAL INSURANCES: We accept most insurances for you to maximize your insurance benefits. We will explain what your insurance covers and what you will need to pay in the treatment plan before any treatment done.

ü SMILE VALUE PLAN: Any patient without insurance automatically gets enrolled in our in- house dental savings plan for Free. It gives 30-40% off Usual, Customary and Reasonable fee.

ü 100% SATISFACTION: Is our goal. We will do whatever it takes to make your visit pleasant so that you love coming to the dentist. All the staff are well trained to give a patient – centered service in a relaxing environment for all the patients.

ü THE AREAS WE SERVE:  LAKE LANIER SMILES provides Affordable dental care with outstanding customer service to patients in Buford, Sugar Hill, Suwanee, Cumming, Oakwood, Flowery Branch and surrounding areas.

ü COMPREHENSIVE DENTAL CARE: We offer a range of dental services from preventive teeth cleaning to Root canals. We do dentures and braces too.

If you have any questions about your Oral Health or to make an appointment to see us, Call us at 770-831-0559 or visit us at WWW. LAKELANIERSMILES.COM for Valuable Coupons and Specials. Our prices are 30-50 % Off Regular Prices. Call Us before Noon and we will see you the Same Day. We accept most insurances. We are conveniently located just off I-985 at 4965 Lanier Islands Parkway, Suite 105, Buford, Ga- 30418