Dental crowns are by far the most commonly needed and performed dental procedure in restorative dentistry. A dental crown is really just a “cap” designed to look like your natural tooth. The cap covers the entire visible portion of your original tooth once cemented into place. Dental crowns can be used to:

• Protect weak, chipped or cracked tooth
• Restore a broken or worn-down tooth
• Hold a dental bridge in place
• Cover and support a large filling (where there is not much tooth left)
• Cover misshapen or discolored teeth
• Rebuild a tooth after a root canal
• Cover a dental implant
• Cosmetic modification

What to Expect When Getting a Dental Crown

The procedure is normally completed over the course of two separate office visits. During your first appointment, your dentist first ensures that your tooth can support a crown. If your tooth is severely damaged or broken, your dentist may choose to fill it in so it will be large enough to properly fit the crown. Next, an impression of the tooth (as well as those surrounding it) is taken and sent to a dental lab so the permanent crown can be made accordingly. Upon completion of your first appointment, your tooth will be equipped with a new temporary crown that protects it until the final crown is ready to be permanently placed.

Once your permanent crown is manufactured, your dentist should contact you for your second visit. During this appointment, your temporary crown is removed, and the new crown is positioned and cemented to the tooth with a special adhesive. It may take some time to get used to the feeling of the crown before the permanent crown feels normal in your mouth. This is perfectly normal and expected. After some time (six weeks maximum for gums to fully adapt and change to the affected area), the crown should look, function and feel like a regular tooth. Should you have any concerns regarding discomfort with your temporary or new permanent crown, please speak to your dentist immediately.

Types of Crowns Available

The material your dental crown is made from should be discussed between you and your dentist. Each material comes with its own pros and cons. The materials available for crowns are as follows:

Temporary Crowns

• Stainless steel: Most commonly used in crown procedures for children or in temporary crowns for adults.
• Acrylic: Typically lighter and easy to adjust and trim. More compatible with the denture base. The con to acrylic crowns is that they do put you at risk for abrasion against surrounding teeth. Acrylic crowns are also difficult to remove and easily stained.

Permanent Crowns

• Resin: Usually the most affordable option. Can wear down over time and prone to more fractures than porcelain.
• Metal: Gold metal crowns last the longest. Due to the unattractive metal appearance, metal crowns are ideal for out-of-sight molars. Other metal materials used are platinum or palladium alloys, which normally show a silvery hue.
• Ceramic or porcelain: A huge plus to all-porcelain crowns is that they look very similar to your natural teeth.
• Porcelain fused to metal: Looks most like your natural teeth. Susceptible to chips and cracks over time. Ideal for front and back teeth.
• Zirconia: Zirconia matches closest to the look and feel of natural teeth and is also long lasting. These are the most popular and most commonly done crowns nowadays.

Costs of Dental Crowns

The cost of crowns varies depending on what kind of crown material you decide to opt for, as well as your location. Dental insurance typically covers a portion of the cost of crowns. The cost of crowns may vary from $500 to $1500 depending on the type of material used, the amount of tooth structure left and the position of the treated tooth.

Speak to your dentist or contact your insurance provider to be certain cost of crowns is covered.

For more information about dental crowns in San Juan Capistrano, California, and to set up a consultation with Dr. Mojgan Niktash, please contact Paradise Dental Practice today at 949-481-2121.