The Dental Crown Process

Dental crowns are custom-made to match the color, shape, and alignment of the patient's natural teeth, ensuring a seamless and natural-looking result. At El Paseo Dental Care, they are typically fabricated from porcelain, ceramic, metal alloys, or a combination of materials. Dental crowns offer several benefits, including restoring tooth functionality, protecting weakened or damaged teeth, enhancing aesthetics, and improving the overall appearance and alignment of the smile. They are commonly used for teeth with extensive decay, fractures, large fillings, or after root canal treatment.

Types of Dental Crowns

Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns

PFM crowns are a popular choice due to their strength and aesthetics. They consist of a metal substructure covered with layers of porcelain. The metal provides durability and strength, while the porcelain overlay gives a natural tooth-like appearance.

All-Ceramic or All-Porcelain Crowns

These crowns are entirely made of ceramic or porcelain materials, without any metal substructure. They provide excellent aesthetics, closely resembling natural teeth in color and translucency. All-ceramic crowns are suitable for front teeth or areas where aesthetics are a priority.

Zirconia Crowns

Zirconia crowns are made from a strong and durable ceramic material called zirconium oxide. They provide excellent aesthetics, strength, and biocompatibility. Zirconia crowns are highly resistant to fracture and offer a natural tooth-like appearance. They are suitable for both front and back teeth and are often recommended for patients with metal allergies.

The Process of Getting a Dental Crown

Evaluation and Preparation

During the first visit, the dentist will examine the tooth and determine if a dental crown is the appropriate treatment option. X-rays may be taken to assess the tooth's condition and surrounding structures. If a crown is deemed necessary, the dentist will prepare the tooth by removing any decayed or damaged portions and reshaping it to create space for the crown.

Impression

After tooth preparation, the dentist will take impressions of the tooth and the surrounding teeth. These impressions serve as a mold for creating a custom-made crown that fits precisely over the tooth. The impressions are sent to a dental laboratory for crown fabrication.

Crown Placement

Once the permanent crown is ready, usually within a couple of weeks, the patient returns for a second visit. The temporary crown is removed, and the permanent crown is carefully placed and adjusted for proper fit and bite. The dentist will check the crown's color, shape, and overall appearance to ensure it matches the surrounding teeth and provides a natural-looking result. Once satisfied, the crown is permanently cemented or bonded to the tooth.

Dental crowns are a common and effective restorative treatment that can significantly improve damaged teeth' appearance, strength, and function. Contact El Paseo Dental Care at 583 Willow Street, San Jose, CA 95125, or call (408) 3700101 to determine if a dental crown is the appropriate treatment option for your dental condition.