Restorative · Pompano Beach, FL
Dental crowns in Pompano Beach.
Porcelain crowns shaped and shaded to match the tooth beside them, planned by Dr. Cynthia Alfonso with the rest of your smile in mind.
You did not go looking for a crown
Almost nobody researches crowns out of curiosity. You are here because a tooth cracked on something that should not have cracked it, or because a filling that has been repaired three times finally gave way, or because you had a root canal and were told the tooth needs covering now.
And the question underneath is usually not technical. It is whether this is really necessary, whether it will look like a fake tooth, and whether you are about to spend a significant amount of money on something nobody will ever see.
What a crown does, and when a filling would do instead
A crown covers the whole visible part of a tooth, holding the remaining structure together and taking the chewing load off walls that are too thin to carry it. That is the point of it: a tooth that has lost a large amount of structure is a tooth waiting to split, and a split that runs below the gum usually ends in extraction.
It is not always the right answer. When enough healthy structure remains, a filling or an onlay is more conservative and preserves more of your own tooth, and that is the preferable option whenever the tooth allows it. When a tooth has already fractured below the bone, a crown cannot save it and the honest conversation is about replacement instead.
You will be shown what is left of the tooth and told which category it falls into, including when the answer is that you do not need what you came in expecting to need.
How it works
- 01
Assessment
Examination and radiographs to establish how much healthy structure remains and whether the tooth is a candidate.
- 02
Preparation and shade
The tooth is shaped to receive the crown, and the shade and characteristics are matched to the teeth around it. On front teeth this stage is a cosmetic decision, not a technical one, which is why Dr. Cynthia handles it herself.
- 03
Temporary
A temporary crown protects the tooth while the definitive one is made.
- 04
Placement
The porcelain crown is fitted, checked against your bite and bonded. Adjustments are made with you biting normally, not only with your mouth open.
A crown is a cosmetic decision too
On a back molar, a crown is engineering. On a tooth that shows when you smile, it is both engineering and design, and treating it as purely functional is how people end up with one tooth that is a slightly different color and catches the light differently from everything beside it.
Because the same dentist who designs smiles here also places the crowns, shade, translucency and edge shape are treated as part of the smile rather than as a separate job.
Frequently asked
Do I really need a crown, or would a filling be enough?
It depends on how much healthy tooth structure remains. When a filling or an onlay is sufficient, that is the more conservative option and the one you will be offered. You will be shown the tooth and the reasoning.
Will it look different from my other teeth?
Porcelain is shaded and layered against the teeth beside it. On front teeth this matching is the main part of the work, not an afterthought.
Does it hurt?
Preparation is done under local anesthesia. Sensitivity for a few days afterwards is common and usually settles.
Why do I need a crown after a root canal?
A treated tooth has lost internal structure and dries out over time, which makes it more likely to fracture under normal chewing. Covering it protects what is left.
How long do crowns last?
It depends on your bite, your hygiene and whether you grind your teeth. What to expect in your case is discussed at your appointment, along with what would shorten or extend it.
Does insurance cover crowns?
Crowns are usually classified as restorative rather than cosmetic, and many PPO plans contribute. Our coordinator checks your benefits before treatment.
Not sure whether you need a crown?
Bring the tooth and the question. If a more conservative option will do, you will be told.