Crowns

Severe tooth decay can sometimes destroy a tooth to the point where a filling cannot keep it intact. Left untreated, these teeth can break down even further. In these cases, dentists rely on dental crowns to protect what’s left of the tooth.

When a tooth suffers from significant decay, structural cracks or general weakness, a custom dental crown offers a durable & aesthetically pleasing solution for restoration. Frequently called a “cap,” this specialized restoration is designed to fit over the entire visible portion of your tooth. At Aaria Dental Group, we utilize premium-grade materials to ensure your new crown looks natural & provides the structural integrity necessary to bite, chew & smile with total certainty.

Why Invest in a Dental Crown?

Choosing a crown is a vital step in preserving your long-term dental health & smile aesthetics. This versatile treatment offers several clinical advantages:

• Structural Support: Crowns provide essential reinforcement for teeth compromised by large old fillings, internal decay or recent root canal therapy.
• Smile Transformation: We use crowns to hide deep staining, reshape irregularly sized teeth or close gaps to create a more balanced appearance.
• Long-Term Defense: By creating a physical seal, a crown keeps bacteria out & resists physical stress, which helps prevent future dental emergencies.
• Functional Restoration: A properly fitted restoration allows you to eat your favorite foods comfortably & keeps your jaw alignment stable.

Choosing the Right Material for Your Needs

Depending on the location of the tooth & your specific bite force, we offer a variety of high-performance materials to achieve the best result:

All-Ceramic & Porcelain Options

These are ideal for the “smile zone” or front-facing teeth. Because porcelain captures the light-reflective qualities of real enamel, these crowns offer the highest level of realism. They are also entirely metal-free, making them perfect for patients with metal allergies.

Durable Zirconia Crowns

Known for being virtually “chip-proof,” Zirconia is a modern material that withstands heavy grinding forces on back molars. It remains biocompatible & gentle on your gums while maintaining a beautiful, tooth-colored finish.

Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM)

PFM restorations combine a rugged metal interior with a lifelike porcelain exterior. This time-tested method provides the strength of a metal substructure with the aesthetic benefit of color-matched porcelain.

Gold & Precious Metal Alloys

Though less common for visible areas, gold alloys are the industry standard for biocompatibility & longevity. They require the least amount of tooth reduction & are exceptionally gentle on opposing teeth, making them a smart choice for out-of-sight molars in patients who grind their teeth.

The Restorative Process: What to Expect

Enhancing your smile with a crown generally requires two comfortable appointments at our San Ramon office. During the initial visit, we prepare the tooth by clearing away decay & shaping the enamel to ensure a precise fit. We then capture a digital scan or physical impression & place a temporary cap to keep your tooth safe while our lab creates your final restoration.

At the follow-up visit, we remove the temporary & test the new crown for color, fit & bite alignment. Once we confirm the restoration meets our high standards, it is permanently bonded into place, instantly reviving your smile’s health & appearance.

Maintaining Your New Dental Crown

With a consistent hygiene routine, a high-quality crown can last a decade or more. Maintenance is identical to caring for your natural teeth: brush twice daily & floss every day to stop plaque from gathering at the gumline. We also suggest routine professional cleanings at Aaria Dental Group so we can monitor the health of the underlying tooth structure.