With the advancement of modern dental restorations and state-of-the-art materials, today’s dental crowns continue to serve as versatile treatments. Crowns—which cover the visible portion of teeth above the gingival tissue—offer both functional and aesthetic benefits. Downtown Dental Specialty takes pride in providing various dental crown designs, including porcelain, zirconia, and ceramic, to fit the diverse needs of our patients.
What is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a prosthetic “cap” that completely encases a structurally damaged or weak tooth, restoring its normal function, strength, and appearance. Crowns are typically tailored by hand to match the color, shape, and size of the natural tooth, seamlessly blending into your smile. Today, technology also allows crowns to be milled digitally while you wait. With so many types of crowns available, it can feel a little overwhelming to pick the best one for your needs. Thankfully, our San Diego dentists can help with the process!
Why are Crowns Beneficial?
Dental crowns offer several important benefits, including:
- Enhanced Protection: Crowns provide a sturdy reinforcement for compromised teeth, preventing further damage during everyday use.
- Improved Aesthetics: Tooth-colored crowns not only safeguard teeth but also enhance their appearance, concealing discoloration, cracks, and irregularities.
- Restored Functionality: By recreating the structure of a tooth, crowns enable normal chewing, speaking, and biting.
- Longevity: High-quality dental crowns, with proper care, can last several years or more, ensuring long-term benefits.
Exploring Dental Crown Materials: Porcelain, Metal, and Ceramic
Downtown Dental Specialty offers an array of dental crown materials, each tailored to meet the unique needs and preferences of patients. Some of the most common types of crowns you’ll see offered in San Diego include traditional designs like:
Porcelain Crowns: Renowned for their lifelike appearance, porcelain crowns boast exceptional translucency and can be precisely matched to the color of surrounding teeth. These crowns are an ideal choice for front teeth, where aesthetics take center stage.
Metal Crowns: Constructed from alloys like gold, metal crowns are lauded for their unparalleled strength and durability. While they may not blend seamlessly with natural teeth, their resiliency makes them an excellent choice for back teeth that endure heavy chewing forces
Zirconia Crowns: Striking a balance between aesthetics and strength, zirconia is a type of ceramic crown that combines natural appearance with remarkable durability. Their composition closely mimics that of natural teeth, ensuring a harmonious integration within the smile. This makes them a preferred choice for both front and back teeth.
The Dental Crown Procedure: Time and Cost
The dental crown procedure is typically completed over two appointments:
First Appointment: During this visit, our San Diego dentist prepares the tooth by removing any decay or damaged enamel and reshaping it to accommodate the crown. An impression is taken, which is used as the blueprint for crafting your custom crown. A temporary crown is placed to protect the tooth until the final crown is ready.
Second Appointment: Once the customized crown is crafted, we remove your temporary crown and bond the final one into place with special dental cement.
As for the cost of dental crowns in San Diego, it can vary based on the material used. Downtown Dental Specialty provides personalized consultations to offer patients accurate cost estimates tailored to their specific needs.
Caring for Your Dental Crown
Maintaining a dental crown necessitates diligent oral hygiene practices. Treat your crown like a natural tooth, brushing twice daily and flossing to remove plaque and prevent decay at the gum line. While crowns are sturdy, avoid habits like biting on hard objects or opening packages with your teeth. Also, plan to see us for routine checkups so that we can evaluate your crown and other teeth, intervening when issues arise.
Schedule Your Dental Crown Consultation Today
At Downtown Dental Specialty in San Diego, CA, we are committed to transforming smiles through custom-crafted dental crowns that fit your smile goals. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and embark on a journey to a healthier, more radiant smile.
