When a tooth is severely decayed, cracked, or weakened by extensive fillings, a custom dental crown provides 360-degree protection while restoring your natural chewing power and appearance. Dr. Bryanna Hubbard crafts tooth-colored ceramic and zirconia crowns designed to match the natural shade and contours of your smile.
A dental crown—often called a "cap"—completely covers and encases the visible portion of a damaged tooth above the gumline. Crowns not only prevent cracked teeth from breaking further, but they also seal teeth that have undergone root canal therapy and serve as the final aesthetic restoration on dental implants.
When Is a Dental Crown Recommended?
Dr. Hubbard may recommend a dental crown if you experience any of the following:
- Extensive Tooth Decay: When a cavity is too large for a standard composite filling to support.
- Cracked or Fractured Teeth: To hold tooth segments together and prevent painful fractures.
- Post-Root Canal Protection: To shield brittle teeth from biting forces after nerve therapy.
- Severe Enamel Wear: Restoring tooth height and bite alignment caused by chronic teeth grinding (bruxism).
- Cosmetic Enhancement: Correcting misshapen, severely discolored, or uneven teeth.
Modern Materials for Natural Aesthetics
We use advanced biocompatible materials including all-ceramic, lithium disilicate (E-max), and high-strength zirconia. These materials mimic the natural translucency, shade gradations, and light reflection of real tooth enamel without unsightly dark metal lines at the gumline.
The Dental Crown Procedure: Step-by-Step
Receiving a custom crown at our Burbank wellness studio is comfortable and straightforward:
- Preparation & Digital Scanning: We gently remove damaged enamel to shape the tooth and take high-precision digital 3D scans—eliminating the need for messy traditional impression trays.
- Temporary Crown: A comfortable temporary crown is placed to protect your prepared tooth and maintain your bite while our master dental lab crafts your permanent restoration.
- Final Placement & Bonding: Once your custom crown is ready, Dr. Hubbard verifies the margins, contact points, and shade before securely bonding it in place with high-strength dental cement.
Frequently Asked Questions
With good home care, daily flossing, and regular professional cleanings, high-quality ceramic and zirconia crowns typically last 10 to 15 years or longer.
Not at all. We ensure your tooth and surrounding gum tissue are completely numb before beginning preparation. We also offer spa amenities—including noise-canceling headphones and warm neck wraps—to keep you relaxed throughout your visit.
Care for your crown just like your natural teeth: brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily around the crown margins to keep the underlying tooth structure and gum tissue healthy.
A veneer covers only the front surface of a tooth for cosmetic improvements, whereas a crown encases the entire tooth to provide structural strength and full functional protection.