Dental Crowns

Crown placement is the most common dental treatment used today for tooth repair. If a tooth is worn down, cracked, or completely broken above the gum line, a cap (crown) is used to cover the whole remaining tooth. Crown placement can restore a tooth to its original shape and size and can be used for strictly cosmetic purposes in some situations.

Crowns are also used in more complicated procedures, such as dental bridges, implants, or root canals. Crowns are used to replace teeth with implants or bridges when the root has also been lost. Several materials are available for the production of crowns.

All-resin crowns are less expensive but are prone to wear down over time.

All-ceramic or all-porcelain crowns are easier to match the color of the remaining teeth.

Metal crowns are silver, so some patients prefer to use them only on back teeth. Since these crowns are strong, they are a good choice for back teeth, where chewing forces are strongest.

Stainless steel crowns are mostly for temporary crowns.

Porcelain fused to metal crowns also match original tooth color, but since they are fused to metal, they are prone to breaking or chipping.

Call Dr. Alvarez to discuss which crown type would be the best choice for you.