How much of the tooth needs covering
San Diego dental crowns and onlays solve the same problem at different scales, and choosing between them is most of the work. A filling handles small decay. An inlay fills the space between the cusps when the damage is wider than composite can hold. An onlay does that and caps one or more cusps on top. A crown covers the whole tooth.
The right one depends on how much sound structure is left. Dr. Babak Shahrokh makes that call at the exam, with your scan on screen so you can see what he is looking at.
Crown or onlay — which does your tooth need?
When the tooth needs a crown
Full coverage is the answer when the tooth can no longer hold itself together: a fracture, a large filling that has failed, or a tooth that has had a root canal and needs protecting from the pressure of chewing. In most cases, we can complete the root canal and the crown the same day, which keeps the tooth sealed and cuts a second appointment.
When an inlay or onlay is enough
If the damage is too wide for a filling but the tooth is otherwise sound, there is no reason to reduce it for full coverage. A San Diego inlay or onlay repairs the damaged area and leaves the healthy enamel around it in place. Less tooth removed, same protection where it counts when the tooth qualifies for it.
What happens in a same-day crown appointment
Digital scan
We map the tooth with a scanner, so there are no impression trays and no putty.
Chairside design
The restoration is designed while you are in the chair, sized to your bite.
Milled on site
Our CEREC CAD/CAM unit cuts the restoration here instead of shipping it to a lab, which is what makes the same-day timeline possible.
Fitted and bonded
Because the design and milling are computerized, the fit usually needs little to no adjustment.
Most crowns done in a single visit
Because the work is milled under our own roof, there is no lab wait and no second trip for most patients. Come in, get scanned, and leave with the finished tooth the same day.
Why patients come to Miramar Dental Studio
The work is milled under our roof
Nothing goes out to a lab, which is what keeps most cases to a single visit and shortens the wait on the ones that need more than that.
Training that kept going after dental school
Dr. Shahrokh graduated with honors from Rutgers and has continued studying restorative, cosmetic, and implant dentistry since.
You see what we see
Your scan goes up on the screen, and you hear the reasoning behind the recommendation before anything is decided.
Pricing before treatment starts
You get the numbers up front, with and without our in-house discount plan, so nothing on the bill is a surprise.
Real Patient Experiences
“I can’t say enough good things about Miramar Dental Studios. From start to finish, the entire experience was excellent. I felt cared for, respected, and in good hands.”
John B.
“Fantastic dentist office! I cannot express enough how amazing the dentist is. I went in so nervous and actually left happy!”
Alexa T.
“Great experience! I really love this dentist! Thank you so so much, Miramar Dental Studio, for restoring my smile! :-)”
Amber K.
“This Dental Studio is amazing. The staff are super friendly and helpful. Dr. Shahrokh is the best. Made me feel at ease and calm regarding my dental work. This is the best dentist and dental office I have ever worked with!! A++++++”
Shannon H.
“BEST dental experience ever. Clean, modern, professional, on-time, communicative, kind, and easy to understand. They have your best interests as a priority! I highly recommend, and I wouldn’t go anywhere else!”
A. BrownQuestions about crowns and onlays
It comes down to how much healthy tooth is still standing. If the walls and cusps are sound and only the middle is damaged, an inlay or onlay preserves them. If the tooth is cracked or heavily rebuilt already, full coverage is what holds it together.
In most cases, yes. CEREC is the scanning and milling system that makes it possible, so if another dentist mentioned CEREC to you, this is what they meant. We confirm you’re a candidate after the exam.
Usually not for a single tooth, since the permanent restoration is milled while you are here. Multi-unit work is the exception, and Dr. Shahrokh will make sure anything temporary feels and looks right in the meantime.
Ceramic and porcelain restorations are shade-matched to the teeth beside them, and front teeth take more care with shade and translucency than back teeth do. Matching well is the reason we do not run everyone through the same material.
It depends on the tooth and the material. We accept Delta Dental and Denti-Cal, our in-house discount plan lowers costs for patients without insurance, and financing is available. You’ll see the numbers with and without the plan before you agree to anything.
Yes. We offer a free 20-minute virtual consultation, which is a reasonable way to find out whether your tooth needs a filling, an onlay, a crown, or nothing at all.
Our Office
7340 Miramar Road, Ste. 204
San Diego, CA 92126
Call: (858) 397-2201
Our Hours:
Monday-Friday: 9:00am-6:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am-5:00pm