At our Huntington Park office, we use dental crowns and fillings to repair damaged teeth, and bridges to replace missing ones. First comes an exam. Then Dr. Livier Mora walks you through your options, and you’ll know what each one costs before any work begins.
Does your tooth need a filling or a crown?
A filling repairs a cavity. The dentist removes the decayed part of the tooth and fills the space, which works best while the damage is still small. Small cavities often don’t hurt, so many are found at a checkup before you notice anything.
A crown is a cap that covers a tooth and protects what’s left of it. Your dentist may suggest one when a big cavity, a crack, or a large old filling has weakened the tooth.
You don’t have to figure out which one you need on your own. Get a tooth checked if you notice any of these:
- Pain when you bite down or chew
- A chip or a crack, even a small one
- A filling that broke or fell out
- Sensitivity to cold or sweets that keeps coming back
If a tooth breaks and it hurts, call us. The emergency dental care page lists first-aid steps to take in the meantime.
How much does a dental crown cost?
There’s no single price for a crown. The cost depends on things like which tooth it is and how much work it needs, so the exam comes first. Then you get a clear treatment plan with pricing up front, and you don’t have to decide on the spot.
New patients pay $75 for their first visit instead of the regular $149. It covers a full exam plus digital X-rays, but not a cleaning.
What getting a crown involves
Dr. Mora earned her DDS at UCLA and grew up in Huntington Park. For her, the person comes before the procedure, and she can explain everything in English or Spanish. You’ll usually need two visits for a crown, though she’ll tell you after the exam what your tooth needs. In most cases, it goes like this:
- An exam and X-rays to check how much healthy tooth is left
- Preparing the tooth, which means shaping it so the crown fits over it
- A temporary crown that protects the tooth while the final one is made
- A second visit to place the final crown and check your bite
Until your second visit, go easy on the temporary crown: chew on the other side and skip sticky or very hard foods. If it comes loose, call us.
Replacing a missing tooth
When you lose a tooth, chewing can get harder, and over time the teeth next to the space can drift into it. A bridge replaces one or more missing teeth and is usually anchored to the teeth on either side of the gap.
A dental implant is another way to replace a missing tooth, and we can go over how the two compare in your case. If a tooth is too damaged to repair, we’ll also explain what happens in a tooth extraction and how the gap could be filled afterward.
Taking care of crowns and bridges
The tooth under a crown can still get a cavity, so brush twice a day and clean between your teeth every day. Under a bridge, a floss threader or a small brush reaches where regular floss can’t.
Crowns and fillings can chip or crack. Don’t chew ice or hard candy, and don’t use your teeth to open packages. If you grind your teeth at night, mention it at your next visit.
Questions about crowns and bridges
Do you accept insurance for crowns and bridges?
Yes, we work with most PPO dental plans. Benefits vary by plan, so have your plan’s name handy when you call. You can still book without insurance, and patients who are approved for CareCredit or Cherry financing can pay for larger treatment over time.
How long does a dental crown last?
It depends on how well you care for the crown and on habits like grinding your teeth or chewing ice, so there’s no set number of years. Daily brushing and flossing help, and regular checkups let the dentist catch small problems early.
What should I do if a crown or filling falls out?
Call us and let us know if it hurts or if part of the tooth broke off. If you still have the crown, put it in a small bag or container and bring it with you. Until we see you, avoid chewing with that tooth.
Can a crown fix a cracked tooth?
Often, yes. A crown covers the cracked tooth and can hold it together, which helps keep the crack from getting worse. Whether a crown is enough comes down to where the crack is and how deep it goes, and we’ll tell you after an exam.
What if dental work makes me nervous?
Tell us when you book. We keep visits calm and unhurried, and nobody here will judge you. Patients know Dr. Mora for a gentle touch, and she explains every option before you decide anything.
Is a tooth bothering you? Give us a call at (323) 581-2603. If the form below is easier, fill it out and we’ll call you back, usually within one business day, to set a time. Your appointment is confirmed on that call, not when you send the form. You’ll find us at 3058 E Gage Ave.