If you’ve chipped, cracked, or worn down a tooth, you know how much it can affect your comfort and confidence. Fortunately, modern dentistry offers an esthetic and durable way to bring your smile back to life. At Altrock Fabb Dental, your trusted dentist in Pacific Beach, San Diego, we often recommend dental crowns to restore both the appearance and function of damaged teeth.
Whether you’re dealing with a single worn tooth or a larger restoration after a root canal, a dental crown could be the solution that helps you smile, chew, and speak with ease again.
What Is a Dental Crown?
A Dental Crowns is a custom-made “cap” that covers a tooth to restore its original shape, size, and strength. Once bonded into place, it fully encases the visible part of the tooth above the gumline. Crowns are designed to look and feel like natural teeth, blending seamlessly with your smile.
Dentists often recommend crowns to protect a weak tooth from breaking, restore a tooth after a large filling or root canal, cover misshapen or discolored teeth, anchor a dental bridge, or complete a dental implant restoration.
At Altrock Fabb Dental, our crowns are crafted using precise digital impressions and high-quality materials to ensure comfort, esthetics, and long-term durability.
Types of Dental Crowns
Today’s crowns are available in several materials, each with unique benefits depending on the tooth’s location, your esthetic goals, and your bite.
Porcelain or Ceramic Crowns: These crowns are highly esthetic and closely match the color of your natural teeth. They’re often used for front teeth or visible areas where appearance matters most.
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) Crowns: PFM crowns offer a strong metal foundation beneath a porcelain exterior. This combination provides both durability and a natural look, ideal for teeth that experience heavier biting forces.
Zirconia Crowns: Zirconia is known for its superior strength and biocompatibility. These crowns resist wear and chipping while maintaining a beautiful, translucent finish similar to natural enamel.
Gold Alloy Crowns: Though less common for front teeth, gold crowns are extremely strong and gentle on opposing teeth. They’re a trusted option for molars and long-term durability.
When you visit our Pacific Beach dental office, we’ll guide you through your options and help you choose the material that best meets your functional and esthetic needs.
Are Dental Crowns the Right Solution for Me?
If you’re wondering whether a crown is right for your smile, it depends on your oral health, tooth structure, and personal goals. Generally, crowns are ideal for patients who have large fillings or fractured teeth that can’t be repaired with bonding alone, severe enamel wear from grinding or erosion, teeth that have undergone root canal treatment, discoloration or irregular shapes affecting smile harmony, or single-tooth implants that need a natural-looking restoration.
During your consultation at Altrock Fabb Dental in Pacific Beach, your dentist will perform a thorough exam, take digital images, and discuss your treatment options. Crowns can often be part of a larger restorative plan that may include veneers, bridges, or implants to achieve full-mouth balance and comfort.
Because every patient’s needs differ, our dentists customize each crown for the best possible fit, shade, and bite alignment.
The Benefits of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns provide more than just a cosmetic improvement—they also play a crucial role in restoring function and protecting your long-term oral health.
Strength and Protection
A crown reinforces a damaged or weakened tooth, reducing the risk of further cracking or breaking. This helps preserve your natural tooth structure for years to come.
Natural-Looking Esthetics
Modern crowns mimic the color, shape, and light-reflecting qualities of natural enamel. This allows for a smooth, lifelike appearance that enhances your confidence when you smile.
Long-Term Durability
With proper care, crowns can last many years. They withstand daily chewing and biting forces while maintaining their appearance.
Restored Comfort and Function
Crowns restore your ability to bite, chew, and speak comfortably. Many patients find that once their crown is placed, they quickly forget which tooth was treated.
Customized Precision Fit
At Altrock Fabb Dental, we use digital scanning technology to capture detailed impressions of your teeth. This ensures a crown that fits precisely without the discomfort of traditional molds.
What to Expect During Your Crown Procedure
Getting a crown typically takes two visits, though some modern offices offer same-day options depending on the technology used.
At your first visit, your dentist will numb the area, reshape the tooth, and take digital impressions. A temporary crown protects your tooth while your permanent one is crafted in a dental lab.
When your crown is ready, you’ll return to have it fitted, adjusted, and permanently bonded. Your dentist will check your bite and polish the crown for a smooth, natural finish.
Patients often tell us that the process feels easier than they expected—and the difference in comfort and confidence is immediate once their final crown is placed.
Caring for Your Dental Crown
Maintaining your crown is similar to caring for your natural teeth. Daily brushing and flossing are essential to prevent decay around the edges of the crown. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste helps protect both the crown and your natural enamel.
Regular checkups at our Pacific Beach dental office allow us to monitor your crown’s condition and make minor adjustments if needed. Avoid biting hard objects like ice or pens, and consider wearing a nightguard if you grind your teeth at night.
With these simple habits, your crown can remain strong and esthetic for many years.
How Crowns Support a Confident, Healthy Smile
Crowns don’t just restore one tooth—they often restore peace of mind. When you can smile, laugh, and eat comfortably, your overall confidence improves.
Many patients come to Altrock Fabb Dental thinking they’ll need an extraction, only to discover that a crown can save their natural tooth. By protecting and strengthening the existing structure, a dental crown supports long-term oral health while enhancing your smile’s appearance.
In cosmetic cases, crowns may also be used alongside veneers or bridges to create balanced, symmetrical results. Your dentist will tailor your treatment plan to your individual goals and anatomy.
Why Choose Altrock Fabb Dental in Pacific Beach
Choosing the right dentist for your restoration makes all the difference. At Altrock Fabb Dental, our experienced team takes a personalized approach to every crown we design.
We combine advanced imaging technology, precise craftsmanship, and patient-centered care to achieve exceptional results. Whether you’re restoring a single tooth or addressing multiple concerns, you can expect gentle treatment and long-lasting results.
Our office is conveniently located in Pacific Beach, San Diego, serving nearby communities like La Jolla, Mission Beach, and Bay Park. From preventive care to full smile makeovers, we’re here to support your long-term oral wellness.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Crowns
How long do dental crowns last?
With proper care and regular checkups, most crowns last 10 to 15 years or longer. Some materials, such as zirconia or gold, may last even longer depending on your bite and hygiene habits.
Does getting a crown hurt?
The procedure is typically comfortable thanks to local anesthesia. You may feel mild sensitivity afterward, which usually resolves within a few days.
Are dental crowns covered by insurance?
Many dental insurance plans cover a portion of the cost for medically necessary crowns. Our team will help you understand your benefits and financing options before treatment begins.
What’s the difference between crowns and veneers?
Veneers cover only the front surface of the tooth, primarily for esthetic improvement. Crowns cover the entire tooth and are used when structural restoration is needed.
Can crowns be used on dental implants?
Yes. A crown is often the final step in a dental implant restoration, replacing the visible part of a missing tooth and providing natural function and appearance.
Restore Your Smile with a Dental Crown in Pacific Beach
If you’ve been hiding your smile due to a damaged or worn tooth, a dental crown in Pacific Beach could be the key to restoring both beauty and strength. At Altrock Fabb Dental, we take pride in helping San Diego patients regain comfort, confidence, and long-term oral health through personalized restorative care.
Schedule your visit today to learn if a dental crown is right for you. Our friendly team will guide you through every step—from your first consultation to your final smile reveal.
Call Altrock Fabb Dental or book your appointment online to take the first step toward restoring your healthy, confident smile.