Dental Crowns in Costa Rica – Types, Benefits, Costs
Crowns and bridges are a relatively common dental procedure, second to dental fillings in how often dentists and patients resort to them as the best method to treat decaying teeth. Their commonality, however, is not synonymous with affordability.
Both crowns and bridges can range all the way from $800 on the low end and up to $1,700 at the higher end. These prices will vary depending on what material is used for the treatment and where you get the treatment done. Some countries or regions may have higher average costs related to dental treatment than others. As you can imagine, treatment can rack up and end up costing a considerable amount of money, even with good insurance coverage.
For a much more affordable cost, you could get state of the art treatment by dental professionals whose credentials include certificates from some of the most prestigious dental schools in the United States. Getting dental crowns in Costa Rica is considerably more affordable than getting the same exact treatment under the same conditions in the U.S., U.K., and Europe.
What are Crowns and Bridges?
Crowns and bridges are both prosthetic dental devices. Unlike dentures that you would have to take out periodically to clean them, however, they are not removable once placed. These prosthetic dental devices are cemented onto existing teeth or implants and can only be removed by a dental professional.
Crowns essentially cap or cover a damaged tooth, strengthening it. Crowns can also be used to improve a tooth’s appearance and alignment, as they can be shaped and modeled as needed. This means they can also be placed atop an existing implant to provide it with a more natural tooth-like appearance. There are various materials that can be used for crowns, such as metal alloys, which are generally stronger, or porcelain and acrylic, which provide a more cosmetically appealing look. Common uses for crowns include replacing a filling when there isn’t enough natural tooth remaining, restoring a fractured tooth, protecting a weakened tooth from fracturing, covering a dental implant, covering a discolored or misshapen tooth, attaching a bridge, or covering a tooth that has previously had root canal treatment.
Bridges are used to cover the space left from having one or more missing teeth. When one or more teeth are missing, the gap left between remaining teeth can cause a bad bite to develop. This is because teeth will rotate and shift into the empty spaces without the resistance provided by the now-missing teeth. Not only is this bad for your natural smile, but it can also lead to temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ) and even gum disease. Bridges are attached to any teeth or implants surrounding the gap and a replacement tooth is attached to the bridge in turn. The materials used for bridges vary, and which might be better for you is usually decided by the dentist based on the location of the bridge. Much as with crowns, porcelain and ceramics bridges can be used to better match the color of your natural teeth for a more cosmetically pleasing result.
Both Crowns and bridges require some preparations be made. First, the teeth in the area where the crown or bridge will be placed must be reduced in size to allow the dental prosthetic to fit properly. Once reduced, a dental impression will be taken by the dentist to provide an exact mold for the crown or bridge. If porcelain or similarly cosmetically employed materials are to be used, the dentist will determine what shade better matches your natural teeth.
While the final, permanent crown or bridge is being made in a dental lab, a temporary dental prosthetic will be placed to protect the prepared teeth. Once the permanent piece is ready, the temporary one is removed, and the final crown or bridge is placed and cemented.
With proper care, dental crowns and bridges can last a lifetime.
Types of Crowns and Bridges
Dental crowns and bridges vary both in what material is used and what technique they are applied with. Below, we will look at some of the types most commonly employed by dentists.
Ceramic Dental Crowns: Porcelain-based ceramic crowns are most often used to treat and restore front teeth. This due to how well they can resemble the natural share and texture of natural teeth. They do have the downside of being somewhat brittle over time if not cared for properly by limiting their exposition to heavy biting forces. They are generally not suited for use on molars.
Porcelain-Fused to Metal Dental Crowns: These types of dental crowns essentially provide patients with natural-looking teeth with the enhanced durability of a metal structure underneath. For all intents and purposes, it is the best of both worlds. Porcelain-fused to metal crown do require the removal of a moderate amount of tooth structure prior to placement.
Gold Alloy Dental Crowns: Biocompatible with gum tissue and unlikely to erode the underlying tooth, Gold alloy dental crowns is quite strong and resistant to fracture. Gold alloys for crowns are a combination of gold, copper, and various other metals chosen for how well the gums and teeth react to their presence as well as how durable they are.
Zirconia Dental Crowns: Zirconia dental crowns have become the preferred type by dentists around the world. The benefits of using Zirconia as the material for dental crowns lies in the combination of the strength of metal along with the superior aesthetic qualities of porcelain. With it being biocompatible, requiring less tooth preparation than other materials, and having the ability to bond with other materials, Zirconia’s ceramic-like properties allow the perfect combination of the attributes dentists and patients look for in dental crowns.
Base Metal Alloy Dental Crowns: Base metal alloy dental crowns are highly resistant to corrosion and share the strength of other metal alloy crowns. The metals utilized in these alloys are generally very gentle to the surrounding teeth and gum tissue. One notable feature of this type of crown is that it only requires a minimal amount of tooth structure be removed prior to placement.
Traditional Bridges: As their name implies, these are the most commonly used types of bridges. Made of either porcelain fused to metal or ceramics, they replace a missing tooth by attaching a bridge to the teeth on either side of a gap and placing a replacement tooth in between.
Cantilever Bridges: Used when there are teeth on only one side adjacent the missing tooth or teeth. Not all that common and not recommended for the back of the mouth where it can inadvertently damage teeth due to excessive force.
Maryland Bonded Bridges: Alternatively known as Resin-Bonded bridges, these are made from porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, or even plastic teeth and gums supported by a metal or porcelain framework.
Benefits of getting Crowns and Bridges
Dental prosthetics such as these serve the purposes of restoring your smile, preserving your mouth’s healthy structure, and preventing further damage to your teeth from various sources. The benefits are manifold beyond that, as the functionality of your teeth and the ability to have an ever-radiant smile are part of maintaining a good quality of life.
What is the Cost of Getting Dental Crowns in Costa Rica?
Crowns and bridges in Costa Rica can cost you anywhere from $500 to $900, but this will very much depend on the materials used and the tooth to be crowned or bridged.
Ranging from $800 to $1,700 and more depending on where you live and what materials are used – the stronger the material the more costly -, getting crowns or bridges can be rather taxing on your finances. By coming to us and our roster of highly experienced and educated dental professionals, you can get the treatment you need at a far more affordable rate than you would in either the U.S., U.K., or Europe.
Things to Consider When Thinking of Getting Dental Crowns in Costa Rica
Aside from the habitual recommendations for dental hygiene and upkeep, crowns and bridges are treatments that may require more than one visit. When temporary crowns or bridges are placed in wait for the permanent piece to be finished, patients must take care not to eat either tough or sticky foods, as these may damage or remove the temporary prosthesis.
Contact us to get more information about affordable Dental Crowns in Costa Rica today.