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Dentistry/Crown buildup

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Expert: Howard Finnk, D.D.S., P.A., CEO - 5/30/2008


Question
I have had 2 crowns put on over the last few years at the same dental office but by different dentists.  Each time, I was presented a bill that had a charge for the crown and another charge for "Crown buildup, include any pins". I think that I am being charged for crown buildup when that wasn't done. For the most recent crown, the dentist replaced a filling, then proceeded to grind the tooth to prep it for the crown. I don't seem to get a satisfactory answer from either the dentist or the person at the front desk about this additional charge.  How do I/would I know if a buildup was done? Thank you for your response to this question.

Answer
Dear Lynne:  The only reason you don't get a satisfactory answer, is that no one at your dental office has one.  And they should, as the concept is a simple one.  Imagine that your tooth is a fine porcelain cylinder, with its bottom inserted into your gum.  Decay invades from the top center, then travels downward and outward toward the sides.  Decay can also travel from the side or sides inward, then both upward and downward (I wish I could draw a picture here).  What is left is some fine porcelain on the outside, with rot on the inside.  If, after the dentist cleans out the decay from the inside, he determines that the walls of porcelain that remain are not thick enough, or strong enough, to support a crown (very often this is the case), he will place a pool of bonding material to fill the hole left by the cleaning out of the decay (consider this like epoxy resin being poured into the cylinder).  This sets and bonds to the remaining parts of your enamel to make a much stronger cylinder on which to build your crown.  Once the crown is cemented, you cannot tell if it has a buildup unless you remove the crown (I don't recommend you do this).  The best thing to do is to ask the dentist at the time your tooth is being prepared, to show you the buildup material and explain as he places it, so that you can at least be aware that it is being placed.  When the second dentist placed "a filling", then ground the tooth down, that filling was likely the buildup.  And always ask for an estimate of all charges to be presented before any work is begun.  Much like you would do if you were having your car repaired, or your kitchen remodelled.  I hope I helped.   dd

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Howard Finnk, D.D.S., P.A., CEO

Expertise

I am a Family, Implant and Cosmetic dentist. I will answer questions on any aspect of dentistry and matters relating to the smile, gums, jaws and lower face. Member American Dental Association, Florida Dental Association, Broward County Dental Association, and Atlantic Coast District Dental Association. I have served as District Council Member of Alpha Omega, as well as serving for one term as its President. I am also a member of The Vedder Honors Society, Broward Dental Research Clinic, and Mount Sinai Hospital Guild. I have served as a Volunteer for Project Dental Health and The Tri-County Dental Health Council.

Experience

Having attained over 30 years of clinical experience in private practice in Michigan, in 2001 I was re-certified by taking and passing the Florida State Dental Board Examination. After moving to Florida, I spent nearly 10 years re-honing my skills while working as an Associate Dentist for several large dental groups. In September, 2004, I was appointed Adjunct Clinical Professor at Nova University's College of Dental Medicine. I am certified in placement of Mini Dental Implants, and I am Director of The Florida Implant Center (floridaimplantcenter.com). On March 1, 2010, at the age of 62, I began all over again by buying a dental practice near my home in the Fort Lauderdale area. As sole owner and Chief Dental Officer of the new Nob Hill Dental Center (nobhilldentalcenter.com), I can now carefully provide dental care to patients who care, all within a caring, joyful environment. Over my career lifetime, I have provided thousands of diagnoses, fillings, crowns, bridges, root canals, periodontal treatments, TMJ therapies, partials, dentures and extractions, and dozens of implants for my patients. The only aspect of dentistry with which I have very little experience is orthodontics.

Organizations
American Dental Association, Florida Dental Association, Broward County Dental Association, Atlantic Coast District Dental Society, Vedder Honors Society, Broward Dental Research Clinic, Alpha Omega Alumni Association, and American Association of Dental Implantologists. Formerly, American Academy of General Dentistry, Michigan Dental Association, Macomb Dental Society, Detroit District Dental Society, Tri-County Dental Health Council (a charitable dental care organization)

Publications
"How To Save Money At The Dentist" Going to press soon.

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Psychology from Wayne State University Doctor of Dental Surgery from University of Detroit College of Dentistry Adjunct Clinical Professor, Special Needs Department, Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Awards and Honors
Membership in The Vedder Honors Society

Past/Present Clients
HIPAA rules do not allow me to post this information.

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