Our dental health is dependent on the amount of time we spend taking care of our teeth and mouth. Over time, we may begin to experience dental decay that requires serious repair and restoration of our teeth. Tooth decay can be caused by a buildup of bacteria and plaque that slowly eats away at the tooth enamel. It can also be caused by consuming too many sugary drinks and foods, and as more sugar is taken in, more acid is produced to break it down, which causes the breakdown of the tooth.
Ceramic crowns offer a solution for this decay. Dental crowns are caps that are secured over the tooth or dental implant to support and conceal broken, weak, or misshapen teeth. Crowns can be made from various materials, and the material used can sometimes affect the appearance of the crown.
Traditional ceramic crowns made by a lab, while useful, may not always be the quickest option for restoring dental health. At La Jolla Cosmetic Dentistry and Orthodontics, Dr. Kohani uses CEREC® (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) technology to produce ceramic crowns and complete restoration procedures in a single day to correct your dental condition.
Schedule a ConsultationTraditional crowns usually take two weeks to make and require patients to wear uncomfortable, fragile, temporary crowns during that time. CEREC® is an innovative device using CAD/CAM software that can create ceramic crowns in a matter of hours, eliminating the need for temporary crowns.
With CEREC®, Dr. Kohani will have your crowns designed, fabricated, and fitted in one day with no downtime in between procedures.
Instead of using messy, uncomfortable, and temporary impression material, CEREC® will make an imprint of your teeth and bite contact using a 3-D digital CT scan. It can also be used to make veneers, inlays, and onlays.
With CEREC® technology, your crowns will be made from natural, tooth-like ceramic material for a more comfortable and accurately fitting smile.
Ceramic crowns designed by CEREC® technology will blend right in with your already existing teeth. They will also provide a more durable and aesthetically pleasing smile for many years to come.
Before you proceed with any procedure, Dr. Kohani will perform a dental examination to determine the exact underlying issues. If you are experiencing extensive tooth decay that cannot be corrected with a filling, dental bridges, root canal, or dental implants, a dental crown is your best option for restoration. In some cases, other dental work may need to be done before the crowns can be placed. An examination will help to make sure you are getting the treatment you need for long-lasting tooth health.
Once your examination is complete, and the best restoration method has been determined, Dr. Kohani will prepare the tooth (or teeth) by taking a digital impression and uploading it onto the CEREC® device. Crowns are custom-made to fit your mouth and ensure a good fit.
Ceramic provides the best cosmetic results of any restoration material. Ceramic crowns are also ideal for patients who have had allergic reactions to metal in the past. Since the material these are made of is bioinert, your body's immune system is unlikely to react negatively. This can reduce post-implantation swelling compared to other types of crowns.
Your crown specifications are uploaded into the CEREC® machinery, which will begin to construct the crown using a block of ceramic material based on the data provided by Dr. Kohani. Our orthodontic assistant, Ana Torres, is a certified CEREC® designer and assists in the fabrication process, which can take up to an hour to complete.
CEREC® technology offers increased speed compared to traditional ceramic crown creation. In most dental practices, it can take several weeks for a new crown to be made to fit. In the interim, patients are forced to rely on temporary crowns. CEREC® allows patients at La Jolla Cosmetic Dentistry & Orthodontics to skip this step and receive the final ceramic crown in one visit.
After the restorations have been produced, your crown will be stained, polished, and then placed onto your teeth. Dr. Kohani will ensure the crown fits properly while also checking your bite contact in case of any issues. If there are no issues and your crown feels comfortable, it will be cemented in place for a natural-looking smile.
Crowns work by attaching to and covering the existing tooth. Before they can be placed, the damaged tooth will be filed down to better allow the crown to fit comfortably into your dentition. Therefore, a crown can prevent further damage or decay from affecting the existing enamel.
There is no downtime associated with CEREC® technology. The crown takes one hour to be created. Once it has been placed in your mouth, you are free to continue your usual routine. Patients may experience minor pain, sensitivity, or discomfort in the jaw for three to seven days after the crown is attached. These symptoms are usually minor and should not interfere with your quality of life. However, if you experience significant pain following a ceramic crown emplacement, contact Dr. Kohani right away.
Follow-ups can be scheduled after your procedure if you feel your crown needs any adjustments and to ensure it is functioning correctly. Crowns may require replacement after several years. It is important that you visit your dentist periodically to know when your crowns need to be replaced.
The precise cost of a ceramic crown depends on the patient's dental condition. Each crown will cost a different amount depending on the condition of the tooth being crowned. The cost of your crown will also change if another procedure is necessary to prepare the tooth before the crown is emplaced. Dr. Kohani will be happy to provide you with a detailed price quote during your examination.
Some insurance companies may cover a portion of the expenses associated with ceramic crown placement. Others may cover the entire procedure. To determine if your dental insurance covers ceramic crowns, contact your dental health insurance provider.
When placed precisely, ceramic crowns will blend perfectly with your remaining teeth for a completely streamlined look. They also provide custom and aesthetically pleasing results that will make patients look and feel great about their smile. The best way to maintain your crown following the procedure is to avoid sticky or very hard foods, stick to a dental hygiene routine, and return to the dentist for routine check-ups.
Definitely the BEST dentist in San Diego I have ever had! A friend referred me to Dr. Kohani. In the past I have not had good experiences with other dentists. As soon as I met Dr. Kohani, I felt very comfortable. He is a very knowledgeable and caring doctor and his staff is amazing. I am currently doing Invisalign with Dr. Kohani. Every time I go to his office it is a very pleasant experience. Dr. Kohani and his staff are always so warm and welcoming. If you are looking for a good, caring, and honest dentist I recommend Dr. Kohani! A. Rodriquez
I have gone to Dr. Kohani a few times now and have had nothing but great experiences. I was impressed with the friendly staff that is welcoming and organized. We all know these visits aren’t necessarily ones we look forward to, but Dr. Kohani makes this experience quite pleasant. He’s a very nice man and phenomenal dentist. I will definitely be returning! O. LaJeunesse
He is an extremely dedicated dentist who is committed to his patients. Dr. Kohani is warm, caring and understanding. I have referred my family and friends to him, who also think he is an amazing dentist and passionate about his practice. You can feel confident with Dr. Kohani and know he will give you the best results possible. Jodi B.
Ceramic crowns are small, tooth-shaped caps that are placed over one or more teeth to better enhance the size and alignment with the rest of your smile. They protect your teeth from further damage while looking natural and well-formed.
Extensive procedures like dental implants, root canal therapy, and dental bridges may require ceramic crowns as a means of completion. These procedures can often take a few weeks or months to prepare the damaged area before the crown can be placed. Crowns can only be attached after these procedures are completed. Crowns cannot be used on teeth that are infected or require further treatment.
Computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing machines are known as CAD/CAM software. This technology helps create ceramic crowns in a short amount of time.
Traditional ceramic crowns require an additional week of wait time for the crowns to be created by a master ceramist and sent to the dentist's office. Our ceramic crowns are made in an hour or less on-site. Therefore, you can get your new crowns on the same day, reducing the time you spend in our office.
Ceramic crowns can last for more than 15 years when properly maintained. Patients should see their dentists for regular check-ups to ensure that their crowns maintain their strength.
Yes. If the restorations of your dental implants are damaged, you may be able to repair them or support them with a ceramic crown. Your dentist will be able to tell you if a ceramic crown is the best solution for repairing your implant restoration.
Ceramic crowns are made of durable material, but they still require care. Be sure to follow your dentist's instructions for caring for your crowns. It is advised to avoid sticky, sugary, or very hard foods as they can wear and break down the crowns. Brushing and flossing are still necessary to keep your crowns clean.
There are advantages to both ceramic and porcelain crowns. Ceramic crowns offer the look of a natural tooth and may be more suitable for patients with metal allergies.
Porcelain crowns may have a longer lifespan but may not look as natural. They may also cause unwanted side effects if the gum line recedes.
Ceramic crowns are placed with great care to ensure they are secure and safe to use for years to come. If a crown should fall off, it could be due to bad fitting, chipping caused by hard food, or a lack of cement.
In these cases, your dentist may replace the crown or offer alternative solutions.
