Dental Crowns in Torrance, CA
At Mellert Dental Associates, we believe every smile deserves to shine with confidence and functionality. Our customized dental crowns are specifically designed to protect, restore, and enhance your teeth, blending seamlessly with your natural smile.
Whether you need to get a damaged tooth repaired, improve its appearance, or complete a root canal treatment, our dental crowns offer a durable and aesthetically pleasing solution.
Let us help you achieve a smile that’s as strong as it is beautiful!
Understanding Dental Crowns
A dental crown is a tailored cap crafted to cover and safeguard a weakened tooth, helping to restore its strength, form, and appearance. Whether the tooth is cracked, decayed, or heavily worn, crowns provide a durable solution that can last for years with appropriate care.
Crowns are commonly recommended for addressing several dental issues, such as significantly decayed or fractured teeth, teeth with large, unstable fillings, or those treated with root canals. They also improve the look of teeth that are misshapen or discolored and provide reliable support for dental bridges.
Why Would You Need a Dental Crown?
You could use a dental crown if you are suffering from any of the following dental issues:
- Extensive Cavities or Tooth Decay: When a tooth has a large cavity that a standard filling can’t effectively fix, a crown provides the necessary strength and protection to prevent further damage.
- Cracked, Chipped, or Broken Teeth: A dental crown can shield and restore a damaged tooth, particularly if it’s causing discomfort or affecting your bite, ensuring its structural integrity and functionality.
- Post-Root Canal Treatment: Teeth often become more fragile and susceptible to fractures after a root canal. A crown reinforces and safeguards the tooth, ensuring long-term durability.
- Securing a Dental Bridge: Crowns are commonly placed on teeth adjacent to a gap to anchor a dental bridge, restoring proper chewing and speaking functions.
- Severely Worn Teeth: Teeth that are worn down from grinding or acid erosion can be rebuilt with crowns, protecting them from further deterioration and enhancing their shape.
Types of Dental Crowns at Mellert Dental Associates in Torrance, CA
Metal Crowns
Metal crowns, typically crafted from gold or other sturdy alloys, are renowned for their exceptional strength and longevity. These crowns are particularly suited for molars, and your other back teeth since metal crowns are better able to withstand the intense pressure of chewing.
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns
Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns offer the perfect balance between durability and aesthetics. The metal base ensures reliable strength and stability, while the porcelain coating mimics the appearance of natural teeth for a more attractive smile. Over time, however, especially if the gums recede, a thin metal edge may become visible at the gum line, which can affect their appearance in certain cases.
Porcelain Crowns
Porcelain crowns are highly regarded for their ability to replicate the natural appearance of teeth, blending seamlessly with your smile. Their translucent quality closely mimics real enamel, making them the perfect choice for restoring front teeth where aesthetics are crucial. With proper maintenance, porcelain crowns prove to be a long-lasting solution. This makes them a popular choice in cosmetic dentistry for enhancing both function and beauty.
Ceramic Crowns
Crafted entirely from advanced dental ceramics, our ceramic crowns offer a stunningly lifelike appearance suitable for both front and back teeth. They are gentle on gums and biocompatible, minimizing the risk of allergic reactions or irritation. While ceramic crowns are designed to be durable and resistant to wear, they may not provide the same level of strength as metal-based crowns under intense chewing pressure.
Advantages of Dental Crowns
- Strengthens Weakened Teeth: Crowns reinforce teeth that have been damaged by decay, fractures, or large fillings, restoring their structural integrity.
- Enhances Aesthetic Appeal: With materials like porcelain and ceramic, crowns can improve the appearance of discolored, misshapen, or uneven teeth, blending seamlessly with your natural smile.
- Protects Vulnerable Teeth: Crowns shield teeth that are prone to further damage, such as those treated with root canals or severely worn down due to grinding.
- Restores Functionality: By covering damaged teeth, crowns enable comfortable biting, chewing, and speaking, especially for back teeth that endure heavy pressure.
- Custom Fit for Comfort: Each crown is individually crafted to fit snugly and align perfectly with your bite for maximum comfort and function.
- Durable and Long-Lasting: Dental crowns tend to last 10-15 years or more if they are properly cared for, offering a reliable, long-term solution for restoring oral health.
- Supports Adjacent Restorations: Crowns are essential for securing dental bridges, filling gaps, and maintaining the alignment of surrounding teeth.
- Preserves Natural Tooth Structure: By encasing the remaining healthy tooth, crowns prevent further deterioration and protect the tooth's roots.
How Dental Crowns are Applied
First Consultation
- Tooth Preparation: Our dentists at Mellert Dental Associates will carefully remove a portion of your tooth’s enamel to make room for the crown and ensure it fits securely when bonded. If necessary, filling material may be used to build up areas of the tooth, creating a stable base for the crown.
- Dental Impressions: After preparing the tooth, impressions are taken to ensure the crown fits perfectly. These may be traditional molds using a soft, putty-like material or advanced digital scans captured with specialized equipment. The dental impressions are then sent to a laboratory, where your custom crown is designed and fabricated.
- Temporary Crown Placement: Since creating the permanent crown usually takes a few days, your dentist will place a temporary crown, which is usually made of resin or acrylic. This temporary crown protects your prepared tooth and maintains functionality until the permanent one is ready.
Second Visit
After your permanent crown is crafted and delivered to your dentist’s office, your second appointment will focus on its placement:
- The temporary crown will be carefully removed.
- Your dentist will assess the new crown, ensuring its color, shape, and fit align perfectly with your natural teeth.
- The final crown will be securely bonded to your tooth using durable dental cement.
Follow-Up Care
Your dentist might schedule a follow-up visit to ensure the crown is set properly and to address any questions or adjustments needed for your comfort and satisfaction.
How Much Do Dental Crowns Cost?
The cost of a dental crown can vary widely, with prices ranging from $800 to $3,000 per crown. To get a better estimate tailored to your specific needs, it’s best to consult your dentist.
The material used for your crown also impacts the price, with typical costs as follows:
- Porcelain crowns: $800 to $3,000 each
- Ceramic crowns: $800 to $3,000 each
- Metal crowns (gold or other alloys): $600 to $2,500 each
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns: $800 to $2,500 each
Many dental practices offer options of flexible payment plans or financing to make crowns more affordable. You can also take advantage of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) to help cover the cost of dental crown treatments.
Why Mellert Dental Associates is Your Best Choice for Dental Crowns in Torrance, CA
- Skilled Professionals: Our team of dental experts has vast experience in creating and placing custom dental crowns that provide both functional benefits and aesthetic appeal.
- State-of-the-Art Technology: We use the latest dental technology to ensure accuracy and enhance your comfort throughout the entire process.
- Tailored Treatment: Your crown will be meticulously crafted to suit your individual needs, ensuring the best possible outcome.
- Relaxing Atmosphere: From your first consultation to the final placement of your crown, we are committed to providing a stress-free and comfortable experience for you.
Get Tailored Dental Crowns in Torrance, CA
Ready to restore your smile with a custom dental crown? At Mellert Dental Associates, we combine precision, comfort, and lasting results.
Schedule your consultation today and discover the difference a perfect crown can make!
Your new, confident smile is just a visit away.
FAQs
Your dentist will recommend a crown if you have a tooth that is severely decayed, cracked, or has a large filling. Crowns are also used after root canal treatments to strengthen a weakened tooth. If you’re unsure, a consultation with your dentist will help determine the best solution.
While wearing a temporary crown, it’s best to avoid eating sticky or hard foods. This will prevent the crown from coming loose or causing discomfort. Once your permanent crown is placed, you can resume normal eating habits.
Dental crowns are often covered by insurance, though the extent of coverage can vary. Most plans offer partial coverage for crowns, particularly when they are deemed medically necessary. It’s a good idea to check with your insurance provider and discuss payment options with your dentist.
DENTAL FINANCING OPTIONS AT MELLERT DENTAL ASSOCIATES
Our office is in-network with all major insurance providers. Please bring your insurance card to each appointment so we can make sure your information is as up-to-date as possible. If you do not find your insurance provider here; please call at (310) 543-1234 for clarity.
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