Dental Crowns Long Beach, CA

What are Dental Crowns?

A dental crown or cap sits on top of a damaged or missing tooth to protect and/or restore it. Dental crowns look and act just like your natural tooth, as you are able to chew, drink and bite just as you would with your existing teeth. Sometimes dental crowns don’t merely sit on top of existing teeth like a cap but can be securely placed over a gap in your teeth with the use of a dental bridge that will connect it to two adjacent teeth.

Available materials for dental crowns:

• Porcelain - Known for looking the most natural, porcelain is a biocompatible and inert material. It is naturally nonporous and therefore a great option for dental crowns as porcelain is highly resistant to staining and bacteria. Something to consider however is that porcelain is also heavy yet brittle and can chip or fracture when subjected to hard forces.
• Metal - Metal is strong and pliable and is a great option for dental crowns as they can withstand many different kinds of dental applications and hold up to wear and tear over the years. However, metal crowns can be more expensive.
• Porcelain Fused to Metal - Porcelain fused to metal is a traditional combination that incorporates the best of both materials. The synthesis of the two materials offers the resilience and beauty of porcelain with the malleability of metal.
• Acrylic - Acrylic crowns are a great economical solution, although they don’t give as natural of an appearance as porcelain and do not last as long as metal or porcelain fused to metal. They can be a great alternative for areas that are not as visible or subjected to as much biting force.