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Valencia Dental Crowns

What is a Dental Crown?

When a tooth needs to be covered and shielded from further damage or infection, a tooth-shaped cap called a dental crown is needed. The crown is cemented to the top of the tooth and encases the entire portion that can be seen above the gum line. It can be made from many different materials depending on your needs as well as your own preferences.

How Will I Know If I Need a Dental Crown?

While crowns can be placed for cosmetic reasons (such as to hide a misshapen or discolored tooth), they’re normally used to repair teeth that have been broken, worn down, or otherwise damaged. They’re also a possible solution for badly decayed teeth that have weakened to the point where they might fall apart. We can assess the damage before deciding whether a crown or another kind of treatment is needed.

What are the Different Types of Dental Crowns?

While traditionally crowns are made of metal, nowadays patients have a few different options to choose from.

All-Ceramic Crowns

If you’re worried about how your tooth will look after a crown is placed, you’ll probably want to consider a crown made entirely out of ceramic. This type of material is colored so that it closely matches your teeth, meaning it’s the best option for maintaining a natural-looking smile. It’s also a useful option for anyone who has a metal allergy.

Porcelain-Fused to Metal Crowns

Also called “full-cast crowns”, these crowns have an underlying metal layer topped with porcelain. This means you can enjoy the natural look of a ceramic crown while also enjoying the added strength, stability, and durability of a metal base.

Gold Crowns

Gold crowns have been used for over 4,000 years, and while ceramic or porcelain crowns have become more popular thanks to the aesthetic advantages, traditional gold alloy is still available. This material won’t chip or break very often and can potentially last for decades.

Benefits of Crowns

Versatility: Crowns can be used in a wide variety of situations to strengthen or hold together a badly injured tooth.
Aesthetics: A broken tooth can leave you feeling self-conscious, but a crown can restore your confidence.
Correct Chewing Problems: By restoring your tooth, you’ll still be able to enjoy a full, varied diet.

The Cost of Crowns

What kind of crown are you getting? How many do you need? Are other procedures needed? These are the questions you’ll need to ask before you can create a reliable estimate for the final cost of your dental crowns. If you have dental insurance, you can usually expect your plan to help pay for a crown. Those who don’t have insurance can ask about our in-office discount plan.