Dental Crowns in Murrieta, CA

What is a dental crown?

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that fits over the entire visible part of a tooth, down to the gum line, and is cemented in place.

MedlinePlus explains that a crown replaces the part of the tooth above the gum line. It protects what’s left of the tooth, restores its shape and size, and can improve how it looks.

Crowns also hold dental bridges in place and cap dental implants. At Golden Triangle Dentistry in Murrieta, implants are now placed in our office, from start to finish.

When do you need a crown?

Your dentist may recommend a crown when a tooth is too damaged or weak for a filling alone. Common reasons include:

• A large cavity or large old filling, when there isn’t enough tooth left to hold a filling
• A cracked, chipped or broken tooth
• A tooth worn down by grinding or clenching
• A tooth that has had root canal treatment, especially a back tooth
• A tooth that is badly stained or misshapen
• Holding a bridge in place or covering an implant

What are dental crowns made of?

Crowns can be made of ceramic or porcelain (including zirconia), porcelain fused to metal, pressed ceramic, metal, or resin, and each has tradeoffs, according to Cleveland Clinic.

Your dentist will suggest a material based on where the tooth is, how it needs to look, and any allergies you have.

• All-ceramic or porcelain, including zirconia: looks the most like natural enamel and suits people with metal allergies. Zirconia is very durable and gentler on opposing teeth.
• Porcelain fused to metal: combines metal strength with a tooth-colored surface that can be shade-matched. The porcelain can chip and show the metal underneath.
• Pressed ceramic: a ceramic core with layered porcelain that mimics the translucency of enamel. The layers can chip over time.
• Metal, such as gold alloys: rarely chips and holds up well to wear, but the color shows, so it’s often used on molars that are out of sight.
• Resin: less expensive but more fragile, and often used for temporary crowns.

What’s the difference between digital and traditional impressions?

A traditional impression uses a tray of soft putty pressed onto your teeth, while a digital impression uses a small wand to take pictures that a computer combines into a 3D model.

Cleveland Clinic notes that putty impressions are very accurate but can feel bulky and trigger a gag reflex. Digital scans are often faster, leave no residue, are equally or more accurate, and are sent to the lab electronically.

Digital impressions are among the updates being added at our office. Our letter to patients describes updated technology, including 3D imaging, digital X-rays and digital impressions, for more comfortable visits and fewer appointments. Learn more about 3D imaging and digital impressions.

Do you need a crown after a root canal?

Often, yes, especially for back teeth. The AAE explains that molars and premolars, which handle heavy chewing forces, often benefit from a full-coverage crown after root canal treatment.

A tooth that hasn’t been restored yet is more likely to fracture, so the AAE advises booking the final crown as soon as root canal treatment is complete. After restoration, the tooth works like any other tooth.

Front teeth, which aren’t used as much for chewing, don’t always need a crown afterward. Until your crown is placed, avoid biting down hard on the treated tooth.

Specialist care for root canal treatment will be available right here, so you won’t need to travel to another office.

Can a tooth still rot under a crown?

Yes. MedlinePlus notes that the natural tooth under a crown can still get a cavity.

A crown covers the tooth, but it doesn’t make the tooth underneath immune to decay. Cleveland Clinic adds that a crown that doesn’t fit properly can trap bacteria and lead to decay.

Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss once a day, and keep up with checkups and cleanings so your dentist can check the crown’s edges and fit.

Call your dentist if you notice a bad taste or bad breath around the crown, a crack or chip, sharp edges, or a crown that feels loose.

How long do dental crowns last?

Most crowns last 5 to 15 years on average, according to Cleveland Clinic, and many last longer with good care. MedlinePlus says most crowns should last at least five years and can last as long as 15 to 20 years.

How long yours lasts depends on wear, your habits and how well you care for it. These steps help:

• Brush twice a day with a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste, and floss once a day.
• Avoid chewing ice, hard nuts, popcorn kernels, and sticky candies like taffy and caramels.
• If you grind or clench your teeth, ask your dentist about a custom mouth guard.
• With a temporary crown, slide floss out instead of lifting it, and chew on the other side when you can.

Is it cheaper to remove a tooth or get a crown?

Removing a tooth can look simpler at first, but a fair comparison includes what it takes to replace that tooth afterward.

Cleveland Clinic notes that missing teeth can make eating and speaking harder, and nearby teeth can shift into the gap. That’s why a missing tooth is often replaced with a bridge or an implant, each with its own cost and time.

The AAE says saving your natural tooth should be your first choice when it can be saved, because even implants and bridges can’t truly replace it. Ask our team for an estimate for each path so you can compare them side by side.

We work with most dental insurance plans, including most PPOs, and still accept the UFCW member dental plan. See dental insurance and dental financing for more.

What should you do if a crown comes off or a crowned tooth hurts?

Call your dentist if a crown comes loose or falls off, or if a crowned tooth starts to hurt, because the tooth underneath may need attention.

Cleveland Clinic says a crown shouldn’t be painful, and you shouldn’t have pain that keeps you up at night, so pain like that is a reason to be seen. Our emergency dental care page explains what to do next.

Questions & answers

Common questions