Dental Crowns at Upland Dental Clinic, CA

Dental crowns are custom-made restorations that cover and strengthen a fractured or weakened tooth. At Upland Dental Clinic, crowns are recommended if a tooth has too much decay or filling to be restored with one filling. They are also used to improve the look of teeth that are abnormal in shape or color and to hold teeth that will bear a bridge.

Crowns restore a healthy chewing surface to teeth and guard against damage. Porcelain crowns, in particular, can be created to resemble natural teeth and can also cover big or dark fillings. By maintaining natural tooth structure, crowns can sometimes circumvent more costly treatments like implants or bridges.

---

Dental Crown Procedure

Our crown procedure typically takes two visits:

• First Consultation and Preparation
  The dentist will examine the tooth and take X‑rays at the first visit. The decay or previous filling is drilled out, and the tooth is shaped to allow room for the crown. A precise impression (copy) of the prepared tooth is taken, which the dental laboratory uses to make your permanent crown. A temporary crown is placed to protect the tooth while the permanent crown is being made.
• Fabrication
  As you drive home with the temporary crown, our dental laboratory makes the permanent crown. Our office employs superior materials chosen for their durability and appearance. Our team carefully replicates the color and shape of your current teeth to provide a natural-looking result.
• Final Placement
  During the second visit, your dentist removes the temporary crown and cements in the permanent one. They make any necessary adjustments for comfort and bite, then cement the crown. We verify that you can bite and chew normally and that the crown feels good. Local anesthetic is used to ensure your comfort while the tooth is prepared.
• Aftercare
  We will teach you how to care for your new crown. Good oral health (brushing, flossing) and scheduled visits ensure crowns last a lifetime. We will schedule a follow-up to ensure the crown and teeth are healthy.

---

Technology and Features

Upland Dental Clinic uses the latest technology and techniques to give patients durable, natural-looking crowns. For example, we offer zirconia crowns, a durable ceramic that is very aesthetic. The zirconia crowns are metal-free, so they do away with the dark "lining" sometimes seen in metal-based earlier crowns. The result is a natural, translucent appearance with no gray shadow at the gum. These new crowns are very popular for front and back teeth when appearance is an issue. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns remain an option for back teeth where strength is most important.

Our dentists also use digital imaging and precise lab techniques to offer an accurate fit. Dr. Patel was one of the first dentists in the area to incorporate dental lasers into his practice, illustrating our commitment to the latest technology for increased patient comfort. Our advanced materials and technology typically allow us to offer crowns that fit your smile and withstand everyday wear.

---

Meet the Experts

Dr. Hemant Patel, DDS, is the founder and senior dentist of Upland Dental Clinic. He began practice in 1981 with prestigious dental education at New York University's College of Dentistry. Post-graduate advanced training in cosmetic, surgical, and implant dentistry has been extensive, and he remains up-to-date with new technology and methods. In particular, Dr. Patel was among the first dentists here to use laser technology in dental treatment. He does all crown and implant procedures personally, ensuring that every patient receives the highest level of care.

---

Insurance & Payment Options

Upland Dental Clinic is an in-network provider for most major dental insurance plans. We take Medi-Cal and numerous private plans, such as MetLife, Aetna, Delta Dental, Guardian, Ameritas, United Concordia, Cigna, TriCare, UnitedHealthcare, and others. If your plan is not on this list, we encourage you to call us for more details.

We offer affordable payment plans for those without insurance or paying out of pocket. We've partnered with PatientFi and CareCredit to offer 0% interest payment plans each month. These plans allow you to spread treatment costs over time. We will detail all fees and payment options clearly before treatment so you can make an informed decision immediately.

---

Schedule Your Appointment

Ready to regain your smile with a dental crown? Discuss your choices with Upland Dental Clinic today. Give us a call or stop in.