More Questions About Dental Crowns

Modesto, Manteca, Ceres, Turlock, Salida, Ripon, California Dentist

 

Are tooth crowns, caps and porcelain onlays the same?

Dental crowns, or tooth crowns, are also referred to as caps.  An onlay, on the other hand, is actually a large porcelain filling that rebuilds one or more cusps on a back tooth, and may fill an area inside the tooth as well. If the porcelain fills only an inside area, then it is called an inlay.

 

Are all tooth crowns made of porcelain?

There are three basic types of tooth crowns:

• All-metal
• Porcelain
• Porcelain-fused-to-metal

 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of each type of tooth crown?

Each type of tooth crown has a specific purpose, though some of their advantages may be strictly cosmetic in nature.

 

All-metal dental crowns:  All-metal crowns are best for back teeth because of their strength and also because metal is less appealing. They are usually used on back teeth where they are less obvious. All-metal crowns are the least expensive of the three types.

 

All-porcelain dental crowns: All-porcelain crowns are the most natural looking. The porcelain is translucent like natural tooth enamel and can be colored to match your teeth. Whether used on a front or back tooth, it is undetectable. Porcelain crowns are also strong enough to withstand the pressure of chewing.

 

Porcelain-fused-to-metal-crowns: Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are most appropriate for back teeth. The metal can reduce the porcelain’s translucent characteristics, which may be more obvious on front teeth.

 

How long does the tooth crown procedure take?

At Sierra Dental Care, we have state-of-the-art technology that allows us to complete the process during a single dental visit. We use CEREC technology to digitize an image of your teeth. CEREC uses that image to create your custom dental crown within minutes. Using a safe and effective dental adhesive, we affix your new dental crown to your tooth.

 

To schedule your  same-day dental crown placement, please contact the cosmetic dentists at Sierra Dental Care, serving dental patients in Modesto, Ceres, Manteca, Ripon, Salida, and Turlock, California.