Dentist Dr. Marcos Ortega has been restoring teeth since 1986. Ongoing training is essential for staying on the cutting edge of the cosmetic dentistry industry.

Decay is the most common San Diego dental problem and the second most common disease in the nation (number one is the common cold). If you have one or more teeth with decay, it’s time to take care of them.

Fillings, inlays, onlays and dental crowns are used to restore teeth for our San Diego cosmetic dental patients. Even the most basic procedure – filling a cavity – has evolved. There are several types of new materials available including porcelain and composite resin. Each has specific strengths and aesthetic considerations. San Diego patients who replace silver amalgam with tooth-colored fillings love getting the metal out of their smile.

Inlays and onlays are more extensive restorations. There are two types: direct or indirect. Direct inlays and onlays are made in the cosmetic dental office on the spot and applied in one visit. Indirect inlays and onlays are fabricated in a dental lab. They usually require a second visit but the results are well worth the extra trip.

When a San Diego client has a tooth that cannot be restored with an inlay or an onlay, a natural-looking porcelain crown is the answer. At Marcos Ortega DDS, we create crowns that blend in perfectly with the rest of your teeth. Let us show you some photos of patients who have received smile makeovers – you will not see any “Chiclet” crowns that stick out like a sore thumb. In fact, you won’t be able to tell which of our San Diego dental clients have crowns.

Marcos Ortega DDS, a cosmetic and sedation dentistry practice, is located at 306 Walnut Ave., Suite 25 in San Diego. Dentist Dr. Marcos Ortega is currently accepting new patients. Call 619-717-8459 to schedule an aesthetic dental consultation.

Porcelain crowns were first used in the 1800s. With the refining of metal casting methods in the 1900s, crown dentistry advanced significantly.

Today, crowns are strong, comfortable and are made to match your surrounding teeth.

Dental crowns (also called caps) cover the entire visible portion of the tooth and are cemented in place. Crowns are used to strengthen teeth that have been worn down or weakened by decay or injury. Crowns are also used to restore the original shape of a tooth or solely to improve the appearance of a tooth.

The most common types of crowns are:

• All-porcelain (ceramic)
• Porcelain-fused-to-metal
• Gold

The material used is determined by several factors. If you suspect you need a crown, want to replace an old crown, or want to learn about other cosmetic dentistry procedures, call Dentist Dr. Marcos Ortega at 619-295-4545. Marcos Ortega DDS is located at 306 Walnut Ave., Suite 25 in San Diego. We have been serving clients in the San Diego area since 1986. We can recommend the best tooth restoration or cosmetic dentistry option for you.