Dental Crown Options

San Diego, Encinitas, and Carlsbad

When a tooth needs more help than a filling can give, it might do well with an onlay. That is a larger porcelain filling than an inlay, as it extends over one or more cusps to the side surfaces of the tooth. But when an onlay is also insufficient to preserve the tooth’s life, a dental crown is the next choice.

 

Dr. Mary Walsh-Cole offers some options with regard to dental crowns. If the damaged tooth is easily visible in your smile, you may want a white porcelain crown that matches your natural teeth. If the damaged tooth is in the back and not easily visible, a gold crown may be a good option.

 

Porcelain Crowns

 

If you prefer a porcelain crown, there are two types to choose from:

 

• All-porcelain crowns – which have a ceramic lining; and
• Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) crowns – which have a metal lining

 

They both look white and attractive and blend well with your natural tooth color, but all-porcelain crowns have more of a pearly sheen. That is because the metal lining of a PFM crown has a dark color and it gives the crown a slightly less shiny look.

 

The other downside of PFM crowns is that as the gums recede a little in the natural aging process, they reveal the edge of the metal lining that they previously covered. It looks like a thin dark streak along the gumline. Of course, our gums recede with age regardless of the type of crowns we have, but when they reveal the ceramic lining, it is white and not noticeable.

 

Whichever type of porcelain crown you choose, the result will preserve your tooth, giving it a new lease on life, and will support the attractiveness of your smile to differing degrees. For more information, please see Questions About Porcelain Crowns.

 

Gold Crowns

 

Another dental crown option is a gold crown. Gold dental crowns have been less popular in recent years as they do not match your tooth color the way porcelain crowns do. However, the gold alloy used is an excellent dental material for several reasons:

 

• It is exactly the right hardness to provide a strong chewing surface
• It is soft enough not to damage the opposing tooth
• It is highly durable and never loses its clean-looking appearance

 

A dental crown procedure is the same regardless of which type of crown you choose. The tooth is thoroughly cleaned, an impression is taken for the dental lab, and while it is being made in the lab, you have a temporary crown. When Dr. Walsh-Cole attaches the permanent crown, she will test your bite and perhaps slightly modify the crown, and when you are both satisfied with it, she will permanently bond it to your tooth. Now you have a fresh start with that tooth.

 

Your new crown will need the same good care you give your natural teeth. Please see Best Practices for a Healthy Smile for more details. We believe in addressing dental problems early whenever possible and rather than have you delay your dental care because of financial reasons, we work with outside financing partners to help with costs. You can read more on the Financing page.

 

Please call or email us today if you would like to schedule a private consultation with Dr. Walsh-Cole. Our office serves Encinitas, San Diego, and Carlsbad in California and we look forward to meeting with you.