A dental crown, often referred to as a “tooth cap,” is a custom-designed restoration that completely covers the entire visible portion of a damaged or weakened tooth above the gum line. It’s meticulously crafted to restore the tooth’s original shape, size, strength, and appearance. When cemented into place, a crown fully encases the entire visible part of the tooth, protecting it from further damage while restoring its ability to function normally for chewing and speaking. For residents of Woodland Hills and the surrounding San Fernando Valley, we offer advanced crown materials that blend seamlessly with your natural smile.
I believe in providing solutions that not only restore the health and function of your teeth but also enhance the beauty of your smile. When a tooth is severely damaged, weakened, or needs significant cosmetic improvement, a dental crown is often the ideal solution. Think of it as a custom-made “cap” that fits perfectly over your entire tooth, providing strength, protection, and a natural appearance. My team and I are dedicated to crafting high-quality, durable, and aesthetically pleasing dental crowns right here in Woodland Hills, ensuring your smile feels strong and looks fantastic.
Dental crowns are incredibly versatile and are recommended for a variety of dental situations where a filling simply isn’t enough. During your check-ups at my Woodland Hills dental office, I’ll assess your tooth’s condition and discuss if a crown is the best solution for you.
You might need a dental crown for reasons such as:
- Protecting a Weak Tooth: A crown can hold together parts of a cracked tooth or protect a tooth that’s been weakened by a large filling from fracturing.
- Restoring a Broken or Severely Worn Tooth: A crown can beautifully restore the shape and function of a tooth that has been significantly broken or worn down.
- Covering and Supporting a Tooth with a Large Filling: When there isn’t enough natural tooth structure remaining to support a large filling, a crown provides the necessary stability.
- Covering a Misshapen or Severely Discolored Tooth: For teeth with significant cosmetic imperfections that can’t be corrected with bonding or whitening, a crown can completely transform their appearance.
- Holding a Dental Bridge in Place: Crowns are used on the teeth adjacent to a gap to anchor a dental bridge, replacing missing teeth.
- Covering a Dental Implant: Once a dental implant post is placed in the jaw, a crown is the final restoration placed on top to create a natural-looking and functional new tooth.
- After Root Canal Treatment: A tooth that has undergone root canal therapy often becomes brittle. A crown is typically placed to protect the tooth from fracturing.
I offer a range of high-quality dental crown materials, each with unique benefits. We’ll discuss your specific needs, the tooth’s location, and your aesthetic preferences to choose the best material for your crown.
All-Ceramic or All-Porcelain Crowns: These are the most popular choice for their exceptional aesthetics. They are metal-free and provide the most natural look, perfectly mimicking the translucency and color of natural teeth. They are ideal for front teeth and are becoming increasingly popular for back teeth due to their strength and beauty. Many patients in Woodland Hills choose these for their superior cosmetic results.
- Benefits include: Outstanding aesthetics, ideal for metal allergies, highly natural appearance.
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) Crowns: These crowns have a metal substructure for strength, with a layer of porcelain fused over the top. They offer good durability and a reasonably natural appearance, though the metal can sometimes show through at the gum line over time.
- Benefits include: Strong and durable, good aesthetics, can be a cost-effective option.
Zirconia Crowns: Zirconia is an incredibly strong, durable, and biocompatible material that offers excellent aesthetics. It’s a newer material that’s rapidly gaining popularity, especially for back teeth, due to its ability to withstand heavy biting forces while still looking very natural.
- Benefits include: Exceptional strength, good aesthetics, very durable, biocompatible.
DR. EDMOND
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When you need a dental crown, you want precision, durability, and a result that looks completely natural. Here’s why patients in Woodland Hills, CA trust Smiles By Eddie for their dental crowns:
- Expertise & Meticulous Craftsmanship: I combine extensive experience with a precise, meticulous approach to crown preparation and placement. My goal is a perfect fit, a strong bond, and a beautiful aesthetic result.
- High-Quality Materials: I partner with reputable dental laboratories that use only the finest, most advanced materials to fabricate your crowns, ensuring they are durable, long-lasting, and look incredibly natural.
- Personalized Care & Aesthetics: Every crown is custom-designed to fit your unique oral anatomy and complement your smile. I take into account your facial features, existing teeth, and your personal preferences to achieve an ideal result.
- Comfort-Focused Experience: Your comfort is paramount throughout the entire crown process. From gentle numbing techniques to a relaxing office environment, my team and I strive to make your visits as stress-free as possible.
- Comprehensive Approach: Beyond just placing the crown, I’ll provide detailed guidance on how to care for your new restoration and discuss ongoing oral hygiene to ensure its longevity and maintain your overall oral health.
- Conveniently Located: Our modern practice is easily accessible for all residents of Woodland Hills and our surrounding communities, making it convenient to receive top-tier dental care. We’re your trusted source for dental restorations in Woodland Hills.
FAQ
With proper care and good oral hygiene, a high-quality dental crown can last anywhere from 5 to 15 years, and often much longer. Factors like grinding your teeth or poor hygiene can shorten its lifespan.
I will use a local anesthetic to completely numb the tooth and surrounding area, so you should not feel any pain during the crown preparation or placement. You might feel some pressure, but no discomfort. We also offer sedation options if you’re anxious.
Don’t panic! Call our Woodland Hills office immediately. Keep the temporary crown if possible. You can try to put it back on using a small dab of toothpaste or dental adhesive from a pharmacy as a temporary measure until you can see us.
Absolutely! My goal is for your new crown to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth. We carefully select the shade and shape to match your existing smile, making the crown virtually undetectable.
It’s common to experience some temporary sensitivity to hot or cold, or mild soreness, after a crown preparation or placement, especially if the tooth was sensitive before. This usually subsides within a few days or weeks. If sensitivity persists, please call us.
Care for your crown just as you would your natural teeth: brush twice a day, floss daily (paying special attention to the gum line around the crown), and maintain your regular dental check-ups and cleanings. Avoid chewing on hard foods or objects directly with the crowned tooth.
A filling repairs a smaller area of damage or decay within the tooth. A crown is a full “cap” that covers the entire visible portion of a tooth, used when there’s more extensive damage, a large existing filling, or a weakened tooth that needs complete protection and strength.
Yes, while the crown itself cannot get a cavity, the tooth structure underneath the crown or at the margin where the crown meets the tooth can still be susceptible to decay. This is why good oral hygiene and regular check-ups are still crucial.
If you grind or clench your teeth, I highly recommend a custom nightguard. This will protect your new crown, as well as your other natural teeth, from excessive wear and potential damage.
Most dental insurance plans provide some level of coverage for dental crowns, as they are often considered a restorative (necessary for health and function) procedure. My team will help you understand your specific benefits and provide an estimate of costs.
