Ceramic Crowns

While a dental filling is designed to replace a portion of a decayed or damaged tooth, a dental crown offers full coverage to restore the tooth’s entire outer surface. A well-fitting dental crown not only protects and strengthens the underlying tooth structure, but it also restores the tooth’s appearance and function.

The procedure for getting an all-ceramic crown is much like the procedure for getting any other type of crown. In all cases, the tooth needs to be prepared, an impression taken, and a permanent crown cemented into place. A single all-ceramic crown can typically be fabricated over the course of two visits. However, with CAD/CAM technology, a same-day crown can be fabricated from start to finish in a single visit. With the first approach, a temporary crown is typically worn until the second visit, when the permanent restoration is placed. As with every treatment plan, our office will explain your best options in care.

As the name implies, a temporary crown is only worn for a short time until the permanent crown is placed. A temporary crown is typically fabricated from durable tooth-colored dental acrylics. While designed to protect the underlying tooth between appointments, and until your new permanent crown gets placed, a temporary crown is also fabricated to look like a natural tooth and maintain the look of your smile.

While you should feel better having an attractive and functional tooth to restore your smile, your tooth may feel a little sensitive following treatment. This initial sensitivity will subside. We take great care to make sure your new restoration looks great, fits well, and your bite is perfect. However, we’re always happy to make any minor adjustments to ensure your comfort.

With some exceptions, teeth with root canal procedures are typically restored and protected from further damage with a full-coverage crown. Based on what’s best for your smile, our office will recommend the most appropriate restoration to maintain the health and longevity of your tooth following a root canal procedure.

A dental crown is a long-term restoration that, if properly cared for, can serve you well for many years to come. Once your new crown is placed, it requires the same brushing, flossing, and periodic checkups as your natural teeth. Avoid biting your fingernails and chewing on hard or sticky objects such as ice, pencils, or taffy, which can damage or loosen your crown. Remember, clenching and grinding your teeth puts excessive pressure on both natural teeth and dental restorations. Unless treated, this habit can compromise the longevity and integrity of your dental work, including crowns.

Although your new all-ceramic crown restores the tooth's strength, form, and function, you can still develop dental disease in the absence of proper care. To prevent gum disease and tooth decay, it’s essential to brush and floss as instructed and see our office for routine checkups, cleanings, and care.

How long a dental crown lasts depends on various factors, including your level of oral care, diet, and oral habits. While the standard answer is that dental crowns can last anywhere from 5 to 15 years, existing literature confirms that most dental crowns remain in place at 15 to 20 years.

At the office of Fay Hu General Dentistry, we strive to provide the highest quality of care to address all your dental needs. Once we’ve had the opportunity to examine your smile, we can give you a clear picture of any dental issues that are present, along with a quote for how much treatment will be. The cost of dental crowns can vary a little, depending on the type of crown and its location. Our goals are to provide the highest quality of care and help patients begin treatment without additional financial stress or delay. We’re always happy to answer all your questions on dental insurance coverage, available financing, and payment plans.

Coverage for all-ceramic crowns depends on your dental insurance plan. Today, many dental plans provide some level of coverage for all-ceramic crowns. At the office of Fay Hu General Dentistry, we work with patients to optimize their dental benefits and get the care they need to maintain healthy and beautiful smiles!

A ceramic crown is a full-coverage restoration made entirely from dental ceramic that replaces the visible portion of a damaged or weakened tooth. It fits over the prepared tooth structure to restore shape, strength and function while mimicking the appearance of a natural tooth. Ceramic crowns are designed to bond to the remaining tooth with dental cement or adhesive systems that provide a durable, low-profile connection.

Because modern dental ceramics are engineered for both strength and translucency, an all-ceramic crown can blend with adjacent teeth and reproduce natural light transmission. The restoration protects the underlying tooth from further wear or fracture and helps re-establish proper biting surfaces and contact with neighboring teeth.

A ceramic crown is typically recommended when a tooth has lost a large amount of structure due to decay, fracture or a very large filling that compromises strength. Teeth that have undergone root canal therapy, teeth that serve as abutments for bridges, or teeth restored after significant trauma often require full coverage for long-term durability. Crowns redistribute chewing forces across the remaining tooth and reduce the risk of future breakage compared with large direct restorations.

Cosmetic concerns such as severe staining, misshapen anatomy or moderate misalignment can also make a ceramic crown a favorable option when aesthetic results are a priority. The decision to place a crown is individualized and based on the tooth's structural needs, the expected functional stresses and the patient’s cosmetic goals.

There are several common ceramic materials used for crowns, including lithium disilicate, leucite-reinforced porcelain, monolithic zirconia and high-translucency zirconia. Lithium disilicate is prized for its balance of strength and esthetics, while monolithic zirconia offers exceptional fracture resistance for posterior teeth. High-translucency and layered ceramic systems are often chosen for front teeth where lifelike color and light transmission are most important.

The choice of material depends on the tooth's location, the magnitude of biting forces, and the aesthetic expectations for the final restoration. Your dentist will evaluate occlusion, opposing dentition and the smile’s visual characteristics before recommending the most appropriate ceramic type for durability and appearance.

All-ceramic crowns differ from porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) and full-metal crowns primarily by their lack of an internal metal substructure, which allows improved translucency and a more natural appearance. Ceramic crowns do not display a dark metal margin at the gumline and are generally more biocompatible with soft tissues. Advances in ceramic technology have also narrowed the strength gap that once favored metal-containing restorations.

While certain clinical situations may still warrant a metal or PFM restoration—such as when extraordinary strength is required in limited restorative space—ceramic options now cover most aesthetic and functional needs. Your dentist will weigh the tradeoffs between esthetics, strength and space requirements to select the ideal material for your case.

The procedure usually begins with a thorough examination, diagnostic imaging and discussion of material options followed by tooth preparation to remove compromised enamel and shape the tooth for crown placement. An impression is taken either with traditional materials or a digital scanner to capture the exact contours of the prepared tooth and surrounding bite. If a laboratory-fabricated crown is used, a provisional crown protects the tooth while the final restoration is being made; when chairside CAD/CAM systems are available, a permanent crown may be designed and milled in a single visit.

At the final visit the ceramic crown is tried in, adjusted for proper fit and occlusion, and then permanently cemented or bonded in place. Local anesthesia is typically used during preparation and seating to maximize patient comfort, and the dentist will make any minor adjustments needed to ensure a comfortable and functional bite.

The longevity of a ceramic crown depends on the material selected, the location in the mouth, the quality of the underlying tooth structure and the patient’s oral habits. With proper care, many ceramic crowns last a decade or longer, though individual outcomes vary based on chewing forces, bruxism, periodontal health and maintenance. The precision of the fit and the cementation technique also play a key role in preventing recurrent decay and extending service life.

Regular dental checkups allow early detection of wear, marginal breakdown or changes in the supporting tooth that could affect the crown’s performance. Prompt attention to small issues, such as minor chipping or loosening, often prevents progression to more extensive problems and can help preserve the restoration for many years.

Home care for a ceramic crown is similar to natural teeth and includes twice-daily brushing with a nonabrasive fluoride toothpaste and daily flossing to remove plaque at the crown margin. Avoiding unusually hard items like ice, hard candy or using teeth to open packages can reduce the risk of chipping. If you grind or clench your teeth, wearing a night guard as recommended by your dentist helps protect the crown and surrounding teeth from excessive forces.

Maintaining regular dental visits for professional cleanings and examinations is essential to monitor the health of the crown and the supporting tooth. During these visits the dentist will check the margins, contacts and occlusion and recommend any needed adjustments or preventive measures to maintain the restoration’s integrity.

Ceramic crowns are metal-free and generally well tolerated by patients with metal allergies or sensitivities, making them a safe restorative choice for many people. Dental ceramics are inert, biocompatible materials that tend to be gentle on the surrounding gum tissues and resist staining. Their compatibility with soft tissues can help minimize gum irritation and reduce the risk of visible dark lines at the gumline that sometimes occur with metal-based restorations.

If you have a history of allergies or specific medical concerns, discuss them with your dentist during the evaluation so that material selection can be tailored to your needs. The dental team will review your medical history and recommend the most appropriate ceramic option based on both health considerations and aesthetic goals.

Ceramic crowns are commonly used as the visible restoration on implant abutments and can be fabricated as cement-retained or screw-retained crowns depending on the clinical plan. When attached to a custom or prefabricated abutment, a ceramic crown restores normal chewing function and blends with adjacent dentition for a natural appearance. The connection between the implant and the abutment must be precise to ensure long-term stability and to protect peri-implant tissues.

The restorative team will determine the best attachment method and ceramic material based on implant position, occlusal forces and esthetic demands. Routine monitoring and proper oral hygiene around the implant-supported crown are important to preserve both soft tissue health and implant success over time.

Fay Hu General Dentistry combines decades of clinical experience with modern restorative technology to provide personalized crown care that balances function and esthetics. The practice uses advanced digital tools, including digital impressions and CAD/CAM workflows, to improve precision and streamline the restorative process while maintaining attention to each patient’s comfort and expectations. Treatment planning emphasizes durable materials that meet the specific strength and visual needs of each tooth.

Patients receive a customized plan that considers occlusion, opposing dentition and long-term maintenance to optimize outcomes and minimize future complications. The dental team focuses on clear communication and careful follow-up so that each ceramic crown integrates smoothly with the patient’s smile and oral health routine.