When there is too much damage to the tooth, a tooth-shaped cap  is placed over the tooth.   This is done by your Scripps Ranch dentist to restore the tooth to its original shape, size, appearance and function. 

During a crown preparation, the damaged part of the tooth is removed first.  A copy of the tooth is made by way of taking an impression of the tooth.  This impression is sent to the lab for the crown fabrication.   The crown is cemented into the mouth, encasing the entire part of the tooth above the gum line. 

 

A dental crown may be needed in the following situations:

1. To protect a weak tooth (for instance, from decay) from breaking or to hold together parts of a cracked tooth
2. To restore an already broken tooth or a tooth that has been severely worn down
3. To cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn't a lot of tooth left
4. To hold a dental bridge  in place
5. To cover misshapen or severely discolored teeth
6. To cover a dental implant
7. To cover a tooth with history of a root canal
8. To cover a tooth with a fracture to keep all the parts together.
9. To cover a tooth in a patient with history of clenching and bruxism

 

Crowns can be fabricated in our Scripps Ranch dental office using different materials.  With advancement of materials, the crowns have improved in aesthetics and durability.   The following are some of the more common materials used.

 

1. Porcelain fused to metal (gold metal-PFG or noble metal-PFM)

     - Very Durable 

     - Low aesthetics 

 

2. Full porcelain crown

    a. Empress crowns-

        - Most aesthetics of all crowns

        - prone to fractures- therefore, less durable

        - used in front teeth where aesthetics is a must

 

    b. Lava Crowns

        - Strongest of all the porcelain crowns

        - Less prone to fractures

        - Least aesthetic of all the porcelain crowns and therefore not used frequently

        - above average durability

 

    c. Emax crowns

       - Best combination of aesthetics and strength

       - Replacing most other porcelain crowns

       - Durablity is very good

       - Because of its strength, very little tooth needs to be cut.

 

    d. Cerac crowns

       - This type of crown is fabricated in office.   It is a machine cut crown out of a block of porcelain

       - Very technique sensitive

       - Aesthetics are fair.  Since it is cut out of block of porcelain, shades and translucency can not              be as customized 

       - Durability is fair

 

3. Full Metal Crown

       a. Full Gold Crown

          - Most durable of all crowns.

          - Least aesthetic of all crowns

       b. Full Metal Crown

          - much less durable

          - also very unaesthetic

If you need a crown or a second opinion, give Our Scripps Ranch dental office  a call now at (858)271-1010.

  

A dental crown is a division of fixed prosthodontics. Other divisions of  Fixed Prosthodontics include:

1  Bridges

2.  Inlays

3.  Onlays

4.  Veneers

 

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Oasis Dental Arts
Dr. Ramin Goshtasbi, D.D.S.
9999 Mira Mesa Blvd;  Suite 105
San Diego, Ca 92131
Phone: (858) 271-1010
youroasissmile@yahoo.com