Porcelain Crowns in Downey, CA

A porcelain crown – also commonly known as a dental cap – is a dental restoration that fits over a tooth or dental implant.

Your Downey cosmetic dentist will recommend a crown if you have deep dental decay, recurrent decay around or under an existing filling, or have a crack in the tooth.

After reducing the height and circumference of the tooth (and removing any decay), your dentist will use a CAD/CAM system to fabricate a custom crown out of porcelain. Then, they will permanently bond the crown to the tooth.

Porcelain Crowns in Downy: FAQs

Following are some of the questions our patients ask their Downey dentist:

1. Does Insurance Pay for Porcelain Crowns?

Many dental insurance companies list dental crowns under the “major restorative treatment” category. Typically, they will pay 50% of the fee until you reach your annual maximum. You will be responsible for the remaining 50%, your deductible (if it has not already been met), and any remaining amount after your insurance pays. Talk to your insurance provider for more information about your benefits.

2. How Long Before My Crown Feels Normal?

It often takes between a couple of days to a week for patients to adjust to their new porcelain crown. At first, it might feel uneven, tight, or even bulky. You might find that your tongue will not stop playing with it.

This is perfectly normal and will resolve quickly. However, if it still feels weird after a week (uneven, too tall, or you are experiencing soreness/sensitivity), contact your dentist.

How Long Does It Take a Crown to Heal?

It is not uncommon to experience some gum soreness or tooth sensitivity after a major restorative procedure. But if you have any lingering discomfort, sensitivity, or pain that lasts longer than two weeks, contact your Downey dentist.

In some cases, the porcelain crown is a bit too high. A simple adjustment can remedy the situation. Failing to get the crown adjusted can lead to:

More discomfort
Nerve inflammation and resulting pain
Fractured tooth
Chipped or fractured porcelain

Another reason you might experience discomfort after your crown appointment is that you might have an inflamed nerve or infection. These are serious conditions that need to be addressed by your dentist right away.

3. How Can You Tell If a Crown Is Not Fitted Properly?

An ill-fitting crown can lead to:

Decay around the crown (where the tooth and crown meet at the base of the tooth)
Gum disease
Tooth soreness
Gum tenderness
Nerve inflammation

If you notice any of the following, contact your Downey dentist right away:

The crown does not feel right (over time, it should feel like a natural tooth)
You feel pressure against adjacent teeth
Food gets stuck around the crown – either in between the adjacent teeth and the crown or along the gumline
The crown feels loose
You cannot chew comfortably
You are experiencing sensitivity to heat or cold
Your gums are red, inflamed, and sore

4. What Happens If There Is Not Enough Tooth for a Crown?

Tooth structure can be lost due to a significant fracture, deep dental decay, or a root canal procedure.

In most cases, you have two options.

First, we can build up the tooth with a structure-adding filling. Using composite resin, we build the tooth up. Then, we shape it so it can fit under a crown properly. This is always our first option because we want to save the tooth if possible.

The next option is an extraction. If the tooth is broken down to the gumline, adding a filling will not help it. There is very little tooth structure to bond the filling material to, making this option an expensive experiment that will likely fail. In this case, your Downey cosmetic dentist will likely recommend an extraction and restorative options, including:

A dental implant
A fixed porcelain bridge
A removable partial denture

5. Why Does My Crown Hurt When I Bite Down?

In most cases, it is because the crown is too high. If this happens, it will not go away with time. It is something that needs to be evaluated and addressed by your dentist.

Your dentist will evaluate the tooth and crown to ensure you are not experiencing something more serious (like a loose crown or inflamed nerve).

If they find that the crown is high, they will use their handpieces to reduce the high spot(s) and then polish the porcelain.

Cracked Tooth? Don’t Wait to Seek Treatment

Some patients put off getting a porcelain crown once they have been diagnosed with a cracked tooth – especially if they are asymptomatic.

Unfortunately, a crack will not go away. Over time, it will progress due to the constant bite pressure of eating and clenching your teeth.

Eventually, the crack will cause discomfort and may even lead to root canal treatment. We can help prevent this from happening by treating a crack early with a beautiful porcelain crown.

You Don’t Have to Live with Tooth Pain!

Contact our team to schedule an appointment if you are experiencing any dental pain or sensitivity so we can discuss your treatment options.