Dental Crowns Downtown San Francisco, SOMA & East Cut

Most dentistry looks like dentistry. Our goal is to provide dentistry that is undetectable. We replace existing dental crowns and fillings with restorations that look and feel like your natural teeth.

Where damage to a person’s teeth is extreme, and apparently beyond repair, we can use porcelain or porcelain “pasted on gold” crowns to make the smile appear “as new”. This is an extremely reliable technique for repairing the most severe of dental problems, even permanently replacing missing teeth to offer a complete smile and a functional bite. We are renowned for the quality of our work and the fantastic changes we make for people using this technology. These treatments are used for a long-lasting correction of major dental problems. It is usual for these treatments to last for 20 to 30 years, which is as close to permanent as dental treatment can get.

How long does it take to fit a dental crown?

Fitting a crown may require at least two visits to our office. Initially, we will remove decay, shape the tooth, and fit it with a temporary crown of either plastic or metal. Depending on the final crown material, we may be able to fabricate your new crown in 1 visit using our CEREC.

On the subsequent visit, we will remove the temporary crown and then fit and adjust the final crown. Finally, we will cement the crown into place and you have a new beautiful looking tooth.

Key Benefits of Dental Crowns

• Replaces missing teeth
• Offers support to misshapen teeth or badly broken teeth
• Looks completely natural
• Fixes “smile” and functional chewing problems

Types of Materials Available for Your Dental Crowns

• Gold: Gold crowns have been used for decades due to their remarkable durability and longevity. Made from gold alloy, they can withstand intense chewing forces, which makes them especially suitable for molars and areas subject to high stress. Gold is also a very bio-compatible material, rarely causing allergic reactions or adverse tissue responses. Because of its softness compared to other materials, gold minimizes wear on opposing teeth, making it a gentle choice. The main drawback is its metallic appearance, so it’s usually reserved for less visible teeth.
• Lithium Disilicate (E.max): Lithium disilicate is a modern ceramic material renowned for its aesthetic qualities and strength, often marketed under the brand name E.max. It offers a natural translucency similar to real enamel, making it ideal for front teeth where appearance is a priority. Despite being a glass-ceramic, lithium disilicate has an impressive strength, meaning it can withstand significant force without fracturing, especially when bonded to the tooth. It’s versatile enough to be used in a variety of situations, from single crowns to veneers, and its biocompatibility makes it safe and comfortable for most patients.
• Zirconium (Zirconia): Zirconium oxide, or zirconia, is a highly durable ceramic that combines strength with aesthetics. Zirconium crowns are nearly indestructible and can handle intense pressure, making them ideal for both front and back teeth. Additionally, zirconium crowns can be milled to match the exact shade of surrounding teeth and can be translucent, providing a realistic look. They are hypoallergenic, highly biocompatible, and resistant to staining. Though they’re slightly less natural-looking than lithium disilicate, their strength and versatility make them a top choice for patients who want both durability and aesthetics.

What are the capabilities of crowns?

Crown and bridgework is a very reliable solution for major dental problems caused through accidents, diseases or wear and tear. Major problems can usually be corrected using these techniques. Material used in these repairs is either high-grade porcelain or porcelain bonded to gold. A higher strength of the porcelain and gold materials is recommended to treat the most serious of dental problems. Where accidental damage has occurred, resulting in lost teeth, or where teeth have broken away through excessive wear, or as the result of old fillings breaking, dental crowns and/or dental bridges can be used as a long-term solution.

Many people have unexplained pain from filled back teeth, which is usually due to hairline cracks in the chewing part of the tooth. Placing crowns on these teeth relieves the pain and allows a return of full dental function for these teeth. In front teeth, older fillings can both weaken the teeth and cause “appearance” problems due to staining or chipping. Porcelain crowns and bridges are suitable in cases where porcelain veneers are not. In teeth with root canal fillings, crowns can prevent breakage.