A crown is a cap that covers a tooth. We use crowns on dental implants, worn-down teeth, and teeth with large areas of damage. Our crowns are long-lasting porcelain ceramic, colored to match your other teeth. Compared to metal-based crowns, our porcelain ceramic crowns look and feel more like real teeth. Our dental team at Primera Dental can place crowns for you. Crowns can help with worn or weak teeth, stained teeth, or injured teeth.

What Are Dental Crowns Made of?

Crowns can be made from different materials, including porcelain fused to metal, metal alloys, ceramics, composite resin, and porcelain. Crowns are usually colored to match your natural teeth.

When Do You Need a Dental Crown?

A dental crown is used to repair a tooth in the following situations:

• To improve your smile by covering a badly shaped or stained tooth.

• To keep a weak tooth from decaying, breaking, or cracking

• To protect a tooth after a root canal

• To repair a cracked tooth

• To treat a cavity that is too large for a filling

• To hold a dental bridge in place, or to make a cosmetic change

The Procedure for Placing a Crown

Our dentist prepares the tooth for the crown by removing the outer portion of the tooth, including any decay. If more tooth is needed to support the crown, our dentist may build up the center of the tooth.

Next, we take an impression (a mold) of your teeth to make an exact model. This can be done with soft mold material or with a digital scan.

While the permanent crown is being made, a temporary crown is placed to safeguard your tooth. In most cases, the permanent crown is completed in less than two weeks. Your tooth may be sensitive to hot and cold while you wear the temporary crown.

When the permanent crown is finished, our dentist will place it in your mouth and make any necessary adjustments. Once you and our dentist are happy with how it looks and feels, the crown is fixed in place.

Recovery After Getting a Dental Crown

Most patients experience little to no downtime after a crown is placed. Your gum and tooth may feel slightly tender for a day or two, and mild sensitivity to hot or cold is normal while you adjust. Avoid very hard or sticky foods for the first 24 hours, especially with a temporary crown, and keep brushing and flossing gently around the area. With regular care, most crowns last many years.

Insurance & Financing Options

Primera Dental accepts Medi-Cal for eligible patients and offers Cherry payment plans, so you can get treated now and pay over time. Our team can help verify your coverage and walk you through your options before treatment begins.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a dental crown?

In most cases, a crown is completed in two visits: one to prepare the tooth and take an impression, and a second to place the permanent crown once it's ready, typically within about two weeks.

Does getting a crown hurt?

The procedure is done with local anesthesia, so most patients feel little to no discomfort. Some mild soreness or sensitivity afterward is normal and typically fades within a few days.

How long do dental crowns last?

With good oral hygiene and regular dental visits, a well-fitted crown can last 10 to 15 years or longer.

Can a temporary crown fall off?

It's uncommon, but if your temporary crown feels loose or comes off, call our Lynwood office right away so we can protect the tooth underneath.

Does Primera Dental accept Medi-Cal for crowns?

Yes, we accept Medi-Cal for eligible patients, and we also offer Cherry payment plans for additional flexibility.