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Crowns, but make it easy

Dental Crowns at Kitto Family Dental

Some teeth need more than a filling. A crown covers the whole tooth like a helmet, so you can chew on that side again without a second thought. We show you what we see first, and you get the cost in writing.

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Clinically reviewed by Dr. Ashley Kitto Channer, DDS·Last updated
4.9 out of 5 from 473 Google reviews (as of October 2026). Read them on GoogleCaring for Santa Maria families for more than 40 yearsThree dentists accepting new patients

A helmet for a tooth that’s been through a lot.

A dental crown is a custom-made cap that fits over a damaged tooth to restore its shape, strength, and function. Most crowns take two visits over about two to three weeks, with a temporary crown in between.

What are the benefits of dental crowns?

Holds it all together

A crown holds a cracked or heavily filled tooth together.

Back to chewing on both sides

You can bite and chew normally once the final crown is placed.

Nobody has to know

Crown shade and shape are matched to your other teeth.

Built for the long haul

With good care, crowns often last many years.

Root canal backup

Back teeth often need a crown after a root canal.

Keeps your real tooth

Keeping your natural root is often better than replacing the tooth.

When a crown makes sense.

Crowns are a good fit for teeth that are:

  • Cracked, chipped, or structurally weakened
  • Significantly decayed where a filling would not hold
  • After a root canal (to prevent the tooth from fracturing)
  • Discolored or oddly-shaped (for cosmetic reasons)
  • Supporting a bridge, or attached to an implant

If a filling can do the job, we’ll go with the filling. Crowns are a bigger step, so we only suggest one when your tooth truly needs the backup.

Two visits. One sturdy tooth.

Visit 1: prep and impressions

We numb the area, shape the tooth to receive a crown, and take a digital or physical impression. A temporary crown is placed to protect the tooth.

Meanwhile, in the lab

Your custom crown is fabricated to match the shape and color of your natural teeth. This takes about two to three weeks.

Visit 2: the big reveal

We remove the temporary, try in the final crown, check fit and bite, and bond it in place. The visit is typically shorter than the first one.

Follow-up, if you need it

If anything feels off a few days later, call us for a quick adjustment. Crowns rarely need any after the first week.

So, what’s it made of?

Most crowns we place are all-ceramic or porcelain-fused-to-metal, chosen based on the tooth’s position, the bite forces it faces, and your cosmetic preferences. Back teeth often use stronger materials; front teeth often use highly esthetic all-ceramic materials. We discuss the trade-offs and let you choose.

Dental crown materials compared

MaterialAppearanceDurabilityBest use
All-ceramic (zirconia or lithium disilicate)Natural, translucentVery highFront and back teeth where aesthetics matter
Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM)Good; metal shadow at gumline possibleVery highBack teeth; bridges
All-metal (gold alloy)Metallic (not tooth-colored)HighestBack molars where chewing forces are extreme
All-resinNatural; wears fasterLowerTemporary crowns

Who you’ll see.

Portrait of Dr. Ashley Kitto Channer, DDS

Dr. Ashley Kitto Channer, DDS

Loma Linda University School of Dentistry. Practicing since 2011, in the practice her father, Dr. Robert Kitto, founded. Full-scope family and restorative care.

Every doctor here sees kids and adults, and you can ask for the same doctor each visit. Meet all three dentists.

Insurance, minus the headache.

  • Most PPO plans welcome. We check your benefits before your visit, including deductible and remaining yearly maximum.
  • A written estimate first. For anything beyond a routine preventive visit, you see what insurance is expected to pay and what you owe before we begin.
  • We file the claim. You don’t need to send anything to your carrier yourself.
  • No insurance? No problem. We explain costs up front. Our membership plan covers routine care for one yearly fee, and CareCredit or Cherry financing can help with larger treatment.

Not sure what your plan covers?

Call with your carrier name and member ID. We’ll tell you what to expect before you book. Heads up: we don’t participate in most DHMO or Medi-Cal dental plans.

Check my coverage

Insurance and payment details

Why crown a damaged tooth?

A cracked or weak tooth can split under chewing pressure (yes, even on tri-tip night). Once a tooth splits below the gumline, it often can’t be saved. A crown spreads the force and protects what’s left.

Got questions? We’ve got answers

Have questions about dental crowns?

How long do crowns last?
Well-made crowns typically last many years. Longevity depends on your bite, oral hygiene, and whether you grind your teeth. Some crowns last decades.
Will a crown look like a real tooth?
Yes. Modern crown materials are custom shade-matched to your surrounding teeth. For front teeth, we use highly esthetic materials that mimic the translucency of natural enamel.
Does getting a crown hurt?
No. The prep visit is done under local anesthesia and is comfortable. Some patients experience mild sensitivity between the prep and seat visits, which the temporary crown is designed to minimize. The seat visit is typically quick and comfortable.
Can I eat normally with a crown?
Once the final crown is bonded, yes. During the two-to-three-week period when you have a temporary crown, avoid very sticky foods (gum, caramel) and chewing on that side with very hard foods to protect the temporary.
How much does a crown cost?
Costs vary by material and position in the mouth. We give you a written estimate before we start, and we recommend a pre-treatment estimate from your insurance for any crown. See our insurance page for how we handle this.
How long does the crown process take?
Most crowns take two visits, typically two to three weeks apart. At the first visit we shape the tooth, take impressions, and place a temporary crown. At the second we fit, adjust, and bond the final crown.
Do I need a crown after a root canal?
Back teeth usually do. A root canal treats the inside of the tooth, but the tooth can become more brittle. A crown helps protect it from cracking. Front teeth sometimes need only a filling. We tell you which applies to your tooth.
Will I know the cost before treatment, and when do I pay?
Yes. Before any treatment beyond your exam and cleaning, you get a written plan with a cost estimate. If you have insurance, we check your benefits first and file the claim for you. Your portion is due at the time of service. We accept cash, check, major credit cards, and financing through CareCredit or Cherry for larger treatment. See insurance and payment.

Why people love Kitto.

4.9

473 Google reviews as of October 2026.

Hear it from the neighbors

While you’re here.

Swipe for more. It all happens right here on East Main.

Light reading (for your teeth).

Patient guideAn Old Filling Needs Attention. What Should You Ask?Questions that help you understand a filling or crown recommendation.Patient guideDental Emergencies: When to Call vs. When to WaitWhich tooth problems need same-day care, and which can wait.Patient guideIt Has Been Years. Where Do I Start?The first step back is smaller than you think. No lectures.

We accept most PPO plans, CareCredit, Cherry, and offer a membership plan for patients without insurance.

Tooth been through a lot? Let’s fix that.

Book an exam and we’ll show you what we see, talk through your options, and put the costs in writing. No pressure, ever.

Call (805) 922-4109Request an Appointment
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