Let me tell you a bit about crowns
Dental crowns are one of the most common and reliable restorative treatments in modern dentistry. This treatment modality falls under a branch of dentistry called fixed prosthodontics.
Why “fixed”? Because the crown gets glued to the remaining tooth structure. So you cannot take it out of your mouth.
Why “prosthodontics”? Because there is more to a crown than simply shaving the tooth down and putting a cap on top. Many factors need to be considered in restoring a tooth with a crown, such as bite or occlusion, remaining tooth structure available, which portion of the tooth needs to be involved, the gum and bone surrounding the tooth, etc.
If you’re considering dental crowns in San Mateo, understanding the different types of crowns and materials available can avoid confusion and help you make a confident and informed decision, which is always our main goal.
Now what is a dental crown?
A dental crown is a custom-made cap that covers a tooth above the gum line. It restores the tooth’s shape, size, strength, and appearance. We commonly recommend crowns after root canal treatment, for cracked or worn down teeth, for teeth with large fillings, dental implants, or cosmetic enhancement. Their main job of a dental crown is to make your tooth look like and function like a healthy tooth.
Different Types of Dental Crowns: Material
In today’s modern dentistry, we use various materials to fabricate crowns. The decision usually factors in the amount of tooth present, location of the tooth in our mouth, and the overall dynamic of our bite among other factors.
1. Porcelain (All-Ceramic) Crowns like e-max crowns
Porcelain crowns are highly aesthetic. They are beautiful. They can closely mimic the natural translucency of teeth. They are a popular choice for front teeth and areas where your smile shines.
Why do we love them:
- Excellent natural appearance
- Metal-free and biocompatible
- Ideal for patients with metal sensitivities
- Certain porcelain crowns such as e-max can chemically adhere to the tooth creating a very strong bond
We have to be cautions:
- When using them in the back molars as they can be slightly less durable than zirconia or metal for heavy biting forces.
2. Zirconia Crowns
Zirconia crowns are known for their exceptional strength and durability while still offering excellent aesthetics. Advances in material science allow zirconia crowns to look very natural.
Advantages:
- Extremely strong and fracture-resistant
- Suitable for back teeth and patients who clench or grind
- Can be monolithic (single-layer) or layered for enhanced aesthetics
- With advances in technology we can be very conservative in preparation and maintain good amount of tooth structure
Challenges:
- Requires precise planning and expertise for optimal aesthetics.
3. Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) Crowns
PFM crowns combine a metal substructure with a porcelain exterior. They have been used successfully for decades.
Advantages:
- Strong and long-lasting: a proven concept
- When chewing surface is placed in metal, it will allow for a minimal tooth reduction and gentle wear of the opposing teeth
Considerations:
- Less translucent than all-ceramic crowns
- Technique sensitive.
- More expensive due to increase in price of noble metals (in our practice we only use High Noble alloys or porcelain fused to gold)
4. Gold Crowns
Gold crowns are among the most durable crown options and are typically used on back molars. Both Dr. Schauer and myself love these restorations for the 2nd molar or the very back molar in the mouth. Their malleability allows for gentle wear and tear with least amount of damage to the opposing structures.
Advantages:
- Exceptional longevity
- Minimal tooth reduction required
- Gentle on opposing teeth due to metal malleability
Considerations:
- Metallic appearance makes them less desirable aesthetically
Crown Variations: Full coverage vs. Partial Coverage
When restoring a tooth with a crown the main goal is to restore the damaged structure while preserving as much tooth structure as possible. As a result, there are times that a tooth form and function requires to be restored fully (360 degrees) or partially. As a results in our office here in San Mateo we provide three types of coverage to restore a tooth with a crown:
- Full coverage or traditional crown- in these scenarios the entire tooth needs to be capped to maintain their health. These crowns restore the entire tooth structure that is above the gumline. Indications:
- Root canal treatment teeth
- Teeth with extensive decay: your dentist might call it gross caries
- Teeth with deeply extended fracture lines
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- These dental crowns provide the highest level of protection and structural reinforcement to severely damaged teeth.
- ¾ Crown – as its name gives it away these crowns only cover ¾ of a tooth structure. They are a great option for restoring a tooth whose front facing position is intact while the inside or biting position is damaged.
- They are as strong as a full coverage crown
- They are technique sensitive and require expertise in preparing a tooth
- They are more conservative than full coverage since it preserves a portion of natural tooth
- ⅞ Crown – a 7/8 crown covers almost the entire tooth except for one small corner—typically the front-outer (mesiobuccal) cusp.
- Same indications as ¾ crown
Which is the Right Dental Crown for you?
In selecting a crown type, these are the factors we consider:
- Tooth location (front vs. back)
- Bite forces and grinding habits
- Aesthetic expectations
- Long-term durability while preserving as much tooth structure as possible
In our practice here in San Mateo, we take a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to every treatment, carefully evaluating function, aesthetics, and long-term oral health before recommending a crown material. We will always review options and we always encourage you to ask questions. The goal is for us to help you make the best decision for your oral health.
Why Choose Our Practice for Dental Crowns in San Mateo?
Our practice focuses on precision, longevity, and natural aesthetics. In our 100-year-old practice, the main philosophy has always been conservative dentistry with the goal of preserving as much tooth structure as possible. Using advanced digital scanning, high-quality materials, and detailed treatment planning, we design crowns that integrate seamlessly into your smile and bite. We take pride in the longevity of our restorations.
A crowns should do more than just cover a tooth—they should restore confidence, comfort, and long-term oral health.
Give us a call!
If you’re exploring dental crowns in San Mateo, we invite you to schedule a consultation to discuss your options. Together, we can determine the best solution tailored to your smile and lifestyle.
