Irvine Dentist Solutions | Dental Crowns

Dental Crowns

By Michael Choi, DMD

Porcelain crowns reflect light with a natural healthy glow. These crowns, or caps for your teeth, look and function just like natural teeth. Dr. Choi may recommend a crown if your tooth has enough decay that it cannot hold a filling, or if your tooth is cracked or broken, and in danger of cracking down into the root if left unattended. A crown covers your tooth completely. It fits snugly at the gum and protects what remains of the natural tooth.

Why You Need a Crown

The crown serves two important functions. First, it restores the appearance of your teeth and your face. If your tooth is severely decayed or cracked, Dr. Choi will need to restore it prior to preparing a cap. Teeth also support the muscles in our faces, so anything less than a full tooth may affect the way you look.

Second, a crown will be the same size and shape as the natural tooth. As a result, it will keep your jaw and bite aligned; it will also make sure that other teeth don't shift locations or take on a greater share of the work of biting and chewing.

Made to Last

At Smile By Design our dental crowns are most often made of gold or porcelain. Crowns also can be made of stainless steel, but those crowns are often temporary and not designed for long-term wear. Porcelain crowns usually are built on a metal base, which fits snugly over the natural tooth. We will choose porcelain that matches the color of your natural teeth.

Porcelain crowns usually are so carefully matched in color; they cannot be distinguished from your natural teeth. Many people choose porcelain crowns for their cosmetic appearance and the confidence it gives them. New materials are now available that allow the use of "all-ceramic" crowns in some cases. They have a beautiful life-like appearance.

Crowns also can be made of all gold. Some people prefer not to use gold because it stands out from the other teeth in appearance. At the same time, if the crown is on a back molar, some people feel the cosmetic issue is not a big one. Dr. Choi will discuss with you the types of materials available and help you decide which is best for your unique circumstances.

Protect Your Investment

Once your crown is in place, make sure the area is brushed well and that you floss below the gum line. While the crown protects your remaining tooth from further decay, you must protect the base of the crown from bacterial growth and gum disease.

Regular brushing and flossing as you would your natural teeth will ensure that your crown will be in place for years to come!

Dental crowns that reflect light with a natural healthy glow are now available at Smile By Design; call us for a free consultation.