What Are The Types Of Dental Crowns?       

Have you ever been told that you need a dental crown? Before rushing into your restorative treatment, understanding the types of crowns available can help you make a more educated choice about your smile’s future. At Torrey Hills Dental, we recommend crowns for a variety of situations as well as different types of crowns for specific circumstances.

Not all dental crowns are created equal.

Why are Dental Crowns Needed?

“Why do you need dental crowns?”

Crowns (sometimes called “caps”) reinforce extremely worn, broken, or compromised teeth. Instead of going inside of teeth like a filling, they go over and around it. Crowns cover the entire tooth structure above the gumlines.

When we place a crown over your tooth, we help reinforce the structure that’s still there. The crown holds the tooth together and distributes biting pressure evenly across the surface. This added layer of protection helps prolong the lifespan of your tooth so that you can keep it for several more years. Without a crown, your tooth would likely fracture/break or wear down to the point that there is not enough of it to preserve.

Our Carmel Valley dentist may recommend a crown if you have or are undergoing treatments related to:

• Severe tooth decay
• Large cracks or fractures
• Chronic tooth wear
• Root canal therapy
• Replacing a large, old silver filling

We may also place crowns on top of dental implants if you’re replacing a single missing tooth. Since the implant functions as the “root” of the new tooth, the crown will recreate the visible portion that you see whenever you’re smiling.

Common Types of Dental Crowns

Which type of crown you’re getting will also determine what dental crown procedure is used.

CEREC Same Day Crowns—A same-day dental crown expedites the treatment process so that we can install a crown in one appointment rather than two. CEREC incorporates 3D imaging and scanning technology to digitally mill your custom dental crown in our San Diego office. There’s no need to take separate impressions or send models of your tooth to an off-site lab.

Ceramic and Porcelain Crowns—Most of today’s dental crowns in Carmel Valley are made out of some type of ceramic, porcelain, or zirconia. These materials are durable and cosmetic. Each one is matched to the color of your adjacent teeth so that they blend in when you smile. The majority of ceramic crowns are entirely tooth-colored, but sometimes porcelain fused to metal varieties is still used today.

Precious Metal (Gold) Crowns—While most people prefer tooth-colored crowns, gold restorations can be extremely useful in certain circumstances. For instance, if you have an upper back tooth that is heavy load bearing, the gold materials will withstand heavy biting and chewing forces without the added risk of fractures. Locations such as these aren’t as noticeable when you smile, either.

Partial Crowns—Although they technically aren’t crowns, inlays and onlays are sometimes referred to as “three-quarter crowns” because they are larger than a filling and fitted more like a crown. Inlays and onlays are placed when there is still a healthy amount of tooth structure left, and they do not cover the entire tooth surface.

Temporary Crowns—When you’re having a crown made at a lab or need an interim restoration for some reason, a temporary crown will be placed on top of your tooth. Temporary crowns are only meant to be worn for a few weeks at the most, as they are not permanently bonded to your tooth or could come off or wear down more easily. They help to reduce the risk of sensitivity or other complications between scheduled restorative treatments.

Who Does Dental Crowns in Carmel Valley?

Torrey Hills Dental offers quality dental crowns in Carmel Valley. If you’re wondering why dental crowns are needed or want a second opinion about your oral health, we encourage you to call. We’ll discuss the treatment options available and which ones are best for your smile. Contact us today to reserve an appointment!