Restorative
Porcelain Crowns
Cover and protect a damaged tooth — natural look, lasts decades.
A crown caps a tooth that's been weakened by decay, fracture, large filling, or root canal. It restores the tooth to full bite function and protects what's left of your natural tooth structure.
Process: two visits over ~10 days. Visit 1: tooth is shaped, digital impression taken, temporary cemented. Visit 2 (or same-day if you book Same-Day Dentistry): permanent crown cemented.
We craft most porcelain crowns in our partner lab using stratified porcelain technique — multiple layers of different opacity for natural translucency at the tooth edge. The shade is matched to your existing teeth using a Vita shade guide and intraoral photos.
Per-crown pricing: $250 PFM (porcelain-fused-to-metal) · $350 full porcelain · $450 same-day CAD/CAM. US average: $1,000–$1,500.
Materials
PFM crowns: nickel-free metal substructure with feldspathic porcelain. Full porcelain: pressed Empress (Ivoclar) or Vita Mark II. Same-day: milled e.max ceramic or Vita Suprinity.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a crown last?
10–15 years for PFM, 15–20+ years for full porcelain with proper hygiene. Our oldest cases are still in service after 15 years.
Will it match my other teeth?
Yes. We use Vita 3D-Master shade guide + photos in natural light. If you're unhappy with the shade, we remake it free.
Is the prep painful?
No. Local anesthesia eliminates pain during the prep. Mild sensitivity for 24–48 hours afterward is normal.
PFM or full porcelain — which?
Posterior teeth with heavy bite force: PFM is fine and saves money. Front teeth or where you want zero metal showing at gum line: full porcelain.
Can I eat normally with the temporary?
Yes — avoid sticky foods (gum, caramel) which can dislodge it. Otherwise eat normally for the ~10-day waiting period.
Warranty?
5 years against material failure. Free remake during this period.