Dental Crowns in Bakersfield, CA

Get Your Beautiful Smile Back with a Custom Dental Crown

Are you dealing with damaged teeth that make you hide your smile? Dental crowns restore damaged or decayed teeth, helping countless patients achieve beautiful, healthy smiles. At our Bakersfield dental office, our cosmetic dentist offers dental crowns to meet your oral health needs.

Learn more about dental crowns and discover if this restorative solution is the right fit for your smile by calling 661-664-9900!

What Are Dental Crowns?

Dental crowns, also known as caps or tooth crowns, are prosthetic restorations placed over damaged or decayed teeth, restoring their function, shape, and appearance. A dental crown is custom-made to fit over the entire tooth, from the gum line to the chewing surface, and can be made of porcelain, ceramic, metal, or a combination of these materials.

A dental crown can also be used on top of a dental implant, to support a dental bridge, or as a cosmetic solution to improve the appearance of teeth.

When Is a Dental Crown Necessary?

Our Bakersfield dentist may recommend a dental crown as a treatment option for various reasons, including:

• Protecting a Weak Tooth: If a tooth has been weakened by deep decay, a large filling, or a root canal, a dental crown can provide additional support and prevent the tooth from breaking.
• Restoring a Broken or Damaged Tooth: Dental crowns can be used to restore teeth that have been broken, cracked, or severely worn down.
• Topping a Dental Implant: After dental implant placement, a crown is often used to cover the implant and create a natural-looking smile.
• Supporting a Dental Bridge: A crown can support a dental bridge, which is used to replace missing teeth.
• Improving the Appearance of a Tooth: Dental crowns can be used as a cosmetic solution to improve the appearance of misshapen, discolored, or poorly spaced teeth.

Signs You Need a Dental Crown

Some signs that you may need a dental crown include:

• Tooth pain or sensitivity
• A chipped or cracked tooth
• A large filling that needs to be replaced
• A tooth that has had a root canal
• A tooth that’s misshapen or discolored

Contact our dentist in Bakersfield, CA, if you’re experiencing any of the symptoms above.

Dental Crown Benefits

Not only does a custom dental crown restore your smile, but it can also provide you with many other favorable benefits. Some of the most notable benefits of dental crowns include:

• Protection: A dental crown can help protect weak or damaged teeth from further damage or decay.
• Restoration: Dental crowns restore the function and appearance of damaged teeth, allowing you to feel confident in your smile.
• Durability: Crowns are strong and durable, lasting for many years when properly cared for.
• Versatility: Dental crowns can be used for a variety of dental problems, from restoring a broken tooth to covering a dental implant.
• Aesthetics: Crowns are created to match the color and shape of your natural teeth, creating a natural-looking and aesthetically pleasing result.
• Support for Dental Bridges: Crowns serve as anchors for dental bridges, which are used to replace missing teeth. They provide stability and support for the bridge, ensuring proper function and comfort.
• Used With Dental Implants: A dental crown can be custom-created to sit on top of a dental implant, ensuring patients achieve a beautiful smile with any type of dental restoration. 

If you’re wondering how dental crowns may benefit you, contact our Bakersfield dentist today to schedule your next appointment!

Types of Dental Crowns

There are various types of dental crowns to ensure that each patient receives the solution they need to restore their smile. Our Bakersfield dentist will go over your options and recommend the best choice for your health.

Porcelain Crowns

Porcelain crowns are made of a tooth-colored material matched to the shade of your natural teeth, making them a popular choice for front teeth. They’re biocompatible and produce a natural, lifelike appearance. They’re often used for front teeth or those visible in the smile line because of their aesthetic appeal.

Metal Crowns

Made from various metal alloys such as gold, nickel, or chromium, all-metal crowns are incredibly durable and resistant to wear. They’re often preferred for molars or teeth that undergo heavy biting forces. However, their metallic appearance makes them less suitable for visible teeth.

Porcelain-fused-to-Metal Crowns (PFM)

These types of dental crowns have a metal base covered with a layer of porcelain. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns have the strength of metal combined with the natural look of porcelain. PFM crowns are commonly used for back teeth where extra strength is needed for chewing.

Zirconia Crowns

Zirconia crowns are known for their strength and durability, making them popular choices for posterior teeth. They’re made from a type of ceramic material called zirconium oxide, which is highly resistant to fracture and wear. Zirconia crowns also provide a natural appearance and are biocompatible.

Same-Day Crowns

Same-day crowns, also known as CEREC crowns, are a type of dental crown that can be fabricated and placed in a single dental visit. This is in contrast to traditional dental crowns, which typically require multiple appointments and the use of temporary crowns while waiting for the permanent crown to be fabricated in a dental lab.

The Dental Crown Procedure

Some dental crown procedures may vary from patient to patient, but most can expect the following:

1. Initial Examination: Our Bakersfield dentist will conduct a thorough examination of the tooth to determine if a dental crown is necessary. X-rays or other digital imaging may be taken to assess the extent of the damage.
2. Tooth Preparation: Before placing a custom dental crown, the tooth will be prepared. This involves removing any decayed or damaged portions of the tooth and shaping it to accommodate the crown. In some cases, the tooth may need to be built up with filling material to support the crown.
3. Impression: Once the tooth is prepared, a digital impression or mold of the tooth is taken. This impression is used by the dental lab to create your custom-made crown that will fit perfectly over the prepared tooth.
4. Temporary Dental Crown: While the permanent crown is being fabricated, a temporary crown may be placed over the tooth to protect it. Temporary crowns are usually made from acrylic or stainless steel and aren’t as durable as permanent crowns.
5. Crown Placement: Once the permanent crown is ready, the temporary crown is removed, and the permanent crown is placed over the tooth. Our dentist will check the fit and make any necessary adjustments before permanently cementing the crown.
6. Final Adjustments: After the crown is cemented, we’ll make final adjustments to ensure proper bite and alignment with neighboring teeth. This may involve adjusting the shape or size of the crown slightly.
7. Post-Procedure Care: After the crown is placed, it may take some time to get used to the new restoration. Patients are advised to avoid chewing on hard or sticky foods immediately after the procedure and to maintain good oral hygiene practices, including regular brushing and flossing.

If you’re suffering from damage to a natural tooth and are considering dental crowns, contact our dentist in Bakersfield to set up an appointment. 

Dental Crown Costs

In general, you can expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $3,500 per tooth for a dental crown. Of course, there are specific factors that will affect the total cost of a dental crown, including:

• Type of Material Used
• Complexity of the Procedure
• Your Geographic Location
• Dental Insurance Coverage

Frequently Asked Questions

Discover if Dental Crowns Are Right for You

Dental crowns are a popular and effective way to restore damaged or decayed teeth. Contact our Bakersfield dental office at 661-664-9900 today to schedule a consultation with our dentist. They’ll evaluate your oral health and recommend the best treatment for you.