At Joshua Austin, DDS & Associates here in San Antonio, TX, we’ve placed thousands of dental crowns over the years. For us, crowns are not just a routine treatment — they’re one of the best ways we can save and protect teeth for the long haul.

In this blog, we want to take you behind the scenes of how we approach crowns in our practice. We’ll explain what a crown is, why it’s so effective, how modern digital dentistry has transformed the process, and what you can expect if you ever need one. Our goal is to help you feel confident and comfortable if your dentist recommends a crown — and to show you why it’s one of our favorite procedures to perform.

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What Is a Dental Crown and Why Might You Need One?

Think of a dental crown like a protective helmet for your tooth. It covers the tooth completely, restoring its strength, shape, and appearance.

Patients need crowns for all kinds of reasons:

• Large cavities that can’t be fixed with a filling.
  
• Broken or fractured teeth where a big piece has chipped off.
  
• Teeth weakened by old, large restorations (like old silver fillings that have broken down).
  
• Protection after root canal treatment, where the tooth is more fragile.
  

No matter the cause, the purpose is the same: to save your natural tooth. Whenever possible, we want to avoid extractions and keep your teeth intact. Crowns give us the ability to do that — and when they’re made well, they can last for decades.

All-Ceramic Crowns: Strong, Beautiful, and Metal-Free

In our San Antonio dental practice, we do almost all ceramic crowns. That means there’s no metal involved. Why does that matter?

All-ceramic crowns blend in beautifully with your natural teeth, so you don’t have to worry about dark lines at the gumline or an unnatural appearance. They’re also biocompatible, comfortable, and durable.

We generally work with two main types of ceramics:

Zirconia Crowns

• Best for back molars where you do most of your chewing.
  
• Extremely strong and durable.
  
• Still very natural-looking — no one will know it’s not your real tooth.
  

E.max (Emac) Crowns

• Perfect for front teeth where beauty matters most.
  
• Highly translucent, which means they mimic the look of natural enamel.
  
• Long-lasting and stunning when done right.
  

Choosing the right crown material isn’t a one-size-fits-all decision. We look at:

• Where the tooth is in your mouth (front vs. back).
  
• How much the tooth shows when you smile or talk.
  
• Your bite and chewing forces.
  
• The condition of your surrounding teeth (any signs of grinding or wear).
  
• The color and shade of your tooth so it blends seamlessly.
  

After considering all of these factors, we’ll recommend the best option — and then we’ll always leave the final decision up to you.

From Old-School to High-Tech: The Evolution of Crowns

When Dr. Austin was in dental school, crowns looked very different than they do today. We used to take messy, gooey impressions of your teeth, and crowns were usually made with a metal base (sometimes covered in porcelain).

While those crowns worked, they had limitations. The impressions weren’t always perfect, which could affect fit. And the metal substructure meant crowns didn’t always look natural.

Fast forward to today: our office is 100% digital. We use advanced 3D intraoral scanners instead of messy impressions. The scanner maps your tooth digitally with incredible precision. That data is then sent directly to our laboratory, where your crown is designed and milled for an exact fit.

What does that mean for you?

• A faster, more comfortable process.
  
• Crowns that look and feel like natural teeth.
  
• No more gagging on impression trays.
  
• Crowns that last longer because of their precise fit.
  

It’s one of the biggest upgrades in modern dentistry, and our patients love it.

The Crown Process at Joshua Austin, DDS & Associates

We do crowns every day, and for most patients, the process is simple and comfortable. Here’s what to expect:

Visit 1: Preparation and Temporary Crown (about 90 minutes)

1. Initial records – We take digital scans and photographs, and select the right shade for your crown.
   
2. Tooth preparation – We gently shape the tooth to make room for the crown.
   
3. Digital scan – Using our 3D intraoral scanner, we capture a detailed map of your tooth.
   
4. Temporary crown – We place a temporary tooth-colored crown that looks very similar to the final version. You’ll wear this for about 1–2 weeks while your permanent crown is being made.
   

The temporary crown is comfortable, functional, and esthetic — most patients forget they even have one!

Visit 2: Final Crown Placement (10–20 minutes)

1. We remove the temporary crown.
   
2. We try in the final ceramic crown and make sure the fit and bite are perfect.
   
3. Once everything looks and feels right, we cement the crown permanently.
   

That’s it — two appointments, and your tooth is fully restored.

The Importance of a Great Dental Laboratory

Crowns aren’t just about science — they’re also about artistry. That’s why we partner with 38 Smiles, a dental laboratory in Orange County, California. We work closely with a talented technician named Cindy, who has an incredible eye for detail, color, and anatomy.

When we take records for your crown, we don’t just stop at a digital scan. We also take special shade photographs under color-corrected lighting. That way, Cindy has the most accurate information possible to create a crown that doesn’t just fit and function, but looks beautiful too.

The result? A crown that blends in so naturally, even you might forget which tooth has been restored.

How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?

One of the most common questions we hear is: “How long will my crown last?”

The answer depends on two things:

1. How well the crown was made and placed.
   
2. How well you take care of it.
   

We routinely see crowns in our San Antonio patients that are 15, 20, even 30 years old. On the flip side, we also see crowns that fail after just a few years due to poor home care or gum disease.

Even though the crown itself is made of ceramic, the tooth underneath is still natural and can get cavities. That’s why brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits are so important.

Here are our top maintenance tips:

• Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
  
• Floss daily, especially around the crown margin.
  
• Avoid chewing ice or hard objects.
  
• If you grind your teeth, wear a night guard.
  
• Keep up with regular cleanings and checkups.
  

When you follow these steps, your crown has the best chance of lasting for decades.

Functional and Cosmetic Benefits of Crowns

We love crowns because they do double duty: they’re both functional and cosmetic.

Functional Benefits

• Strengthen weakened teeth.
  
• Restore chewing ability.
  
• Prevent fractures from worsening.
  
• Save teeth that might otherwise need to be extracted.
  

Cosmetic Benefits

• Blend seamlessly with your natural teeth.
  
• Restore your smile’s appearance.
  
• Improve confidence when talking, laughing, and smiling.
  

When done well, a crown should feel so natural that you forget it’s even there. That’s always our goal at Joshua Austin, DDS & Associates.

Why Patients in San Antonio Choose Dr. Austin for Crowns

Choosing the right dentist for your crown matters. At Joshua Austin, DDS & Associates, we bring together years of experience, modern technology, and artistry to deliver the best possible results.

Here’s why our patients trust us with their crowns:

• Experience: Dr. Austin has placed thousands of crowns in his career.
  
• Modern technology: 100% digital scans for comfort and precision.
  
• High-quality materials: All-ceramic crowns customized for each tooth.
  
• Artistry: Collaboration with top dental technicians for the best aesthetics.
  
• Patient-centered care: We make recommendations, but you make the final choice.
  

Our goal is always the same: to save your tooth, restore your smile, and give you a result that lasts for years to come.

Next Steps: Schedule Your Consultation

If you have a tooth that’s been giving you trouble — whether it’s broken, painful, or just not looking right — a crown might be the solution.

At your consultation, we’ll:

• Take a 3D intraoral scan of your mouth.
  
• Capture photos and x-rays to assess the tooth.
  
• Discuss the best treatment options for your situation.
  
• Show you what to expect step-by-step.
  

You can schedule your appointment in whichever way works best for you:

• Call us directly.
  
• Visit our website: www.joshuuaustinds.com
  
• Send us a message on Instagram.
  

No matter how you reach out, we’ll take care of you and get your tooth back in function and looking great.

Discover Your Best Smile in San Antonio

At Joshua Austin, DDS & Associates, crowns are one of the treatments we’re most passionate about because they truly save teeth. With today’s advanced materials, digital technology, and artistic dental labs, crowns are stronger, more beautiful, and longer-lasting than ever before.

Whether you need a crown on a back molar for chewing strength or a front tooth for cosmetic reasons, we’re here to help you get the best possible outcome.

If you’re in the San Antonio, TX area and think you might need a crown, give us a call or schedule online today. We’d be happy to sit down with you, answer your questions, and restore your tooth to full health and beauty.