Metal-Free Restorations – Astoria, NY
Restore Your Teeth without Metal
Decayed or damaged teeth are routinely treated with metal fillings or crowns because they are effective and durable. They provide a reliable long-term solution, but their dark appearance is very noticeable when speaking or smiling. Not to mention, many people are concerned about using metal to repair teeth. Now, you can enjoy a biocompatible solution that looks natural using metal-free restorations in Astoria. Dr. Eduart Shkurti uses the latest technologies and high-quality materials to create tooth-colored crowns and fillings that blend in with your teeth.
Tooth-Colored Fillings
Amalgam fillings have been the go-to solution to treat cavities because they are durable and cost-effective. Recently, there has been a lot of debate about their safety because they contain mercury. The American Dental Association supports their use as a safe treatment for tooth decay; however, they still come with several disadvantages, such as a noticeable appearance and the darkening of your tooth over time.
Tooth-colored fillings resolve these common concerns because they do not contain any metals to give you a biocompatible treatment. They are made from fine glass and plastic particles, which allows the resin material to be customized to match the color of your enamel. They will blend in seamlessly with your teeth, so no one can tell they are there.
Not only do they treat decay, but they also help to preserve your tooth. Composite fillings do not require wedges to be cut into your tooth to support them. This keeps more of your healthy tooth intact to protect its structural integrity.
All-Ceramic Crowns
Crowns are widely used in restorative and cosmetic dentistry because they are very versatile. Covering the entire visible portion of a tooth with the custom-made cap improves its strength, health, and appearance. Now, crowns are made from several different materials, including metals and porcelain-fused-to-metal. Although they are a reliable treatment, they do not look natural.
Now, you can transform your tooth using all-ceramic materials. This allows your crown to be customized to match your exact size, shape, and color needs. Your cosmetic dentist in Astoria, Dr. Shkurti, takes a digital impression of your tooth to get the exact measurements necessary to ensure its accuracy to maintain your oral functions.
Although no metal is used to make the restoration, rest assured it is equally durable. In fact, it can last for an average of 10 years before needing to be replaced if you care for it properly.
Understanding the Cost of Metal-Free Restorations
Metal-free restorations are considered cosmetic treatments and are generally not covered by dental insurance; however, if they can also improve your oral health, your benefits may cover a portion of their cost. Dr. Shkurti provides you with a custom estimate and maximizes the value of your policy to reduce the amount you need to pay out of pocket. ED Family Dental also accepts a variety of payment options, including CareCredit, to keep your treatment affordable.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Tooth-Colored Crowns & Fillings
Every case is unique because various factors must be considered. Our team at ED Family Dental will evaluate your smile's needs before developing a treatment plan and providing an estimate for the cost of tooth-colored fillings and crowns. By considering the following, we can provide the most accurate financial breakdown so that you don’t experience any surprises along the way:
- The Number of Teeth Being Treated: Do you only need one metal-free restoration or several? The cost is much less for a single tooth-colored filling or crown.
- How Restorations Are Created: If you require a dental crown, it will need to be fabricated off-site at a local dental laboratory.
- Severity of Damage: We will determine how severe the damage or imperfections are and decide whether you need additional treatment before receiving your metal-free restoration (i.e., root canal treatment).
Does Dental Insurance Cover Metal-Free Restorations?
If metal-free restorations are used solely for aesthetic purposes, you should not expect your dental insurance to help pay any portion of the total cost. However, if your tooth is damaged or decayed and a metal-free restoration is being used to improve your oral health, your insurance company may agree to pay 50-80% of the total cost. Much of this depends on the type of restoration you receive (a filling or a crown), whether you’ve met your deductible, and how much of your annual maximum remains available.
Options for Making Metal-Free Restorations Affordable
If dental insurance will not cover the cost of care, or if you need help paying any remaining balance after filing a claim with your insurance company, you can apply for CareCredit Financing. This flexible third-party company offers low- and no-interest payment plans with no surprise fees attached. Instead of being forced to pay the full amount on the day of your procedure, you can finance and pay it off over time.
Schedule an Appointment
Do not let a dark filling or crown hurt your confidence. Enjoy natural-looking results for a beautiful smile with metal-free restorations. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation.