04
Oct
Understanding Dental Crowns: What Are Your Options?
You depend on your teeth every day to perform tasks as simple as chewing food or more complex functions like helping you speak clearly. Your teeth are also an extension of your personality, as they can be used to express a wide range of emotions, such as happiness or even anger.
That’s why when something happens to damage even a single tooth, it can have a devastating impact on all the functions mentioned above.
Thankfully, at Del Mar Family Dentistry, Dr. Fitzpatrick, Dr. Trudeau, and the team can fix damaged teeth using advanced therapies such as our highly effective dental crown options.
What Exactly Are Dental Crowns?
The term crown is used to describe the part of the tooth that’s used to bite and chew food. As you can imagine, your tooth crowns are often under a lot of pressure.
Sometimes, damage can occur when a tooth suffers physical trauma or becomes infected, causing the structure to become compromised. When this happens, the experience can be incredibly painful, making it difficult to eat, sleep, or even think clearly.
A dental crown is an artificial device used to cover a fractured or decayed tooth. The crown is custom-made and fitted over part of the tooth like a suit of armor. This device strengthens your natural tooth and can be a great alternative to tooth extraction and restoration.
The dental crown performs the same functions as your natural crown while allowing you to keep your tooth.
Dental crowns are used for:
- Repairing cracked or broken teeth
- Protecting your tooth following root canal therapy
- Covering a tooth that has a large filling
- Bonding to false teeth to create a fixed dental bridge
- Completing a dental implant
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Are There Different Kinds of Dental Crowns?
While porcelain crowns are the most popular, other materials, such as metal, ceramic, zirconia, resin, and hybrid materials, are also used to make crowns.
Each material has its unique advantages but also some disadvantages. Dr. Trudeau, Dr. Fitzpatrick, and the team can explain your options and offer their best recommendation for your situation.
What Are CEREC Dental Crowns?
Using 3D printing technology, we can fabricate your new CEREC dental crown using a strong porcelain material. Usually, your new porcelain crown can be ready in just one visit to our office.
The CEREC Primemill Machine takes about two hours and represents a “crowning” achievement in dental technology.
However, there are certain conditions, such as the use of alternative materials, that require us to create your dental crown in a specialized laboratory.
Are Dental Crowns Right for Everyone?
Every situation is different, and in some cases, we may recommend other therapies, such as getting onlays or large fillings. Our dentists will carefully study the condition of your smile to determine the best course of action.
Where to Get Dental Crowns for Your Teeth in Solana Beach, California?
To learn more about how dental crowns can save your smile, call Del Mar Family Dentistry at (858) 360-3102 to set your appointment with Dr. Fitzpatrick, Dr. Trudeau, and the team. Together, we can find the best solution for making your smile whole again.
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Dr. Dale Trudeau
Dr. Thomas Fitzpatrick
Dr. Nikko Johnson
Dr. Erik Balinghasay
Del Mar Family Dentistry is served by four experienced and talented physicians: Drs. Dale Trudeau, Thomas Fitzpatrick, Nikko Johnson, and Erik Balinghasay.
Dr. Dale Trudeau has served the community of Del Mar and Solana Beach since 1984. He is a graduate and former instructor at USC School of Dentistry and has completed many hours of advanced training in restorative, cosmetic, implant dentistry, and Invisalign. He is a member of the American Dental Association (ADA), California Dental Association (CDA), San Diego County Dental Society (SDCDS), and American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Dr. Trudeau is active in the community and volunteers at many local charities and youth organizations.
Dr. Thomas Fitzpatrick is a graduate of Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) in San Diego and Loma Linda University, School of Dentistry. He is a Research Associate at PLNU, YMCA, and Foundation for Worldwide Health, along with being a member of the ADA, CDA, Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), and SDCDS. Dr. Fitzpatrick has a passion to provide sustainable dental services to underserved communities both locally and globally. In 2013 he founded Cura Coffee Company to help fund the non-profit work of Cura Smiles. This non-profit has been able to build a dental clinic in the diverse community of City Heights, San Diego to help serve the underserved in their dental needs.
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Dr. Nikko Johnson is a graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma and Oklahoma University College of Dentistry. After completing her dental residency, she practiced as a general dentist in Oklahoma and North Carolina before obtaining her Master of Science in Periodontology from the University Of Detroit Mercy School Of Dentistry. Among her competencies are prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal diseases and treatment modalities with advanced oral plastic surgeries. She has had the honor of providing dental care to veterans for many years.
Dr. Erik Balinghasay is a graduate of the University of California San Diego(UCSD) and University of California Los Angeles(UCLA), School of Dentistry. Upon graduating from UCLA, he pursued advanced speciality training in Endodontics, the dental specialty related to root canals, at the University of Washington in Seattle. He is a Board-Certified Endodontist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics.