Dental Crown

What Is a Dental Crown? (Your Tooth's Second Chance at Life)

A dental crown is a custom-made "cap" that covers your entire tooth down to the gum line, restoring its original shape, size, strength, and appearance.¹ Think of it as a protective helmet for a damaged tooth—except this helmet is masterfully crafted to look and feel exactly like the real thing and is designed to last for decades.

Here's what a crown truly represents: it's modern dentistry's way of saving a tooth that would have been extracted just a generation ago. It’s the Swiss Army knife of dental restorations—versatile, reliable, and often the best solution for a tooth that has been through trauma.²

Why Crowns Exist: The Problems They Solve

A crown is recommended when a tooth is too damaged to be repaired with a simple filling.³ Common situations include:

• Extensive Decay: When a cavity is so large that a filling would not be strong enough to support the tooth.⁴

• Cracked Tooth Syndrome: To hold a cracked tooth together and prevent the crack from spreading.⁵

• Post-Root Canal Protection: A tooth that has had a root canal is brittle and requires the 360-degree protection of a crown to prevent it from fracturing.
• Severe Wear: For teeth that have been worn down to stubs from years of grinding.⁶

• Failed Large Fillings: When an old, large filling breaks down and takes a significant portion of the natural tooth with it.

Ignoring the need for a crown often leads to a predictable downward spiral: the tooth eventually breaks in a way that is no longer fixable, requiring a more complex and expensive extraction and implant.⁷

Modern Crown Materials: Choosing Your Armor

Today, we have a variety of high-tech materials to choose from, each with its own strengths.

• All-Ceramic (like E-max): The champion of aesthetics.⁸ It looks incredibly natural, making it perfect for front teeth.⁹

• Zirconia: The powerhouse. This is the strongest ceramic option, making it ideal for back molars and for patients who grind their teeth.
• Gold: The original gold standard. While not tooth-colored, gold is incredibly durable, long-lasting, and very gentle on the opposing teeth.¹⁰

The Crown Journey: What to Expect

The process for a traditional, lab-made crown typically involves two main appointments.¹¹

1. Preparation Day (Appointment 1): This 60-90 minute visit involves numbing the tooth, precisely shaping it to create a foundation for the crown, and taking a detailed impression or digital scan.¹² We'll perfectly match the shade of your other teeth and place a custom temporary crown to protect the tooth while your permanent one is being made.¹³

1. Crown Day (Appointment 2): About two weeks later, you'll return for a shorter visit. We'll remove the temporary, try on your new permanent crown, and meticulously check the fit, bite, and appearance before permanently bonding it into place.¹⁴

For many cases, we can also use CEREC® technology to complete this entire process in a single visit!

The Investment in Your Health

A dental crown is a significant investment, but it's one that pays dividends for your health and confidence for 15, 20, or even 30 years. Compared to the alternative of losing a tooth—which can lead to shifting teeth, bone loss, and the need for a costly implant—saving your natural tooth with a crown is often the smartest financial and healthiest decision you can make.

Here's what we want you to remember:

A dental crown is one of the most reliable and successful procedures in all of dentistry. It is the definitive solution for saving a severely damaged tooth, restoring its function, and rebuilding your confidence to eat and smile.

Every patient's situation is unique.

The choice of material for your crown depends on its location in your mouth, your bite, and your aesthetic goals.¹⁵ We'll discuss the pros and cons of each option to help you make the best choice for your specific needs.

Do you have a problematic tooth that needs attention?

Wondering if a crown can save a tooth you're worried about? We're here to give you honest, personalized answers. Schedule a consultation at our Woodland Hills practice – let's talk about what's really best for your smile.