Crowns & Veneers

Whether you've got a cracked tooth or you're ready for a smile makeover, Dr. Tran crafts every crown and veneer by hand with our Huntington Beach dental lab -- no same-day shortcuts.

Cosmetic & Restorative

Artistry Meets Dental Science

A crown caps your whole tooth to protect it. A veneer covers just the front to make it look great. Both are made from premium porcelain, and both can completely change the way you feel about your smile. The question is which one's right for your situation -- and that's what your consultation is for.

We use EMAX all-ceramic for front teeth because the translucency is unbeatable -- it looks like a real tooth. For back molars that take a beating, we go with zirconia for the extra strength. Every single piece is custom-made in a dental lab, not milled in-office in an hour. It takes two visits over a couple of weeks, but the fit and quality are worth it.

Dr. Tran's perspective: "I chose EMAX and lab-crafted crowns over same-day milling for a reason -- the fit and aesthetics are just better. It's the same quality I'd want for my own family. I've been doing crowns and veneers here in Huntington Beach for over two decades, and I won't cut corners on something that's going to be in your mouth for the next 15 to 25 years."

(714) 374-8800
Beautiful smile restored with porcelain veneers
Smile Makeover
In as few as 2 visits
The Advantage

Why Choose Crowns & Veneers

Premium restorations that combine aesthetics, strength, and longevity.

EMAX — Best Natural Look

EMAX all-ceramic crowns and veneers offer the highest cosmetic quality — exceptional translucency and color that matches natural teeth beautifully.

Zirconia — Strength for Back Teeth

Zirconia crowns are our recommendation for posterior molars — maximum strength and durability for heavy bite forces, with a natural cosmetic result.

Stain-Resistant

Premium porcelain resists staining from coffee, tea, and wine, keeping your smile bright for years.

Custom-Made

Every crown and veneer is individually crafted in a dental lab to match your exact shade, shape, and bite.

Lab-Crafted Quality

Every crown and veneer is custom-fabricated in a dental lab — no same-day ceramic crown work. This ensures precision fit, ideal shade, and lasting quality that same-day milling cannot match.

Protect Weakened Teeth

Crowns encapsulate and reinforce damaged or root-canal-treated teeth, preventing fractures.

Step by Step

The Crown & Veneer Process

A smooth, well-planned process from consultation to your new smile.

01
Step 01

Consultation & Smile Design

We discuss your goals, take photos and impressions, and use digital smile design to preview your results before treatment begins.

02
Step 02

Tooth Preparation

A thin layer of enamel is carefully reshaped to create space for the restoration. For veneers, preparation is minimal and conservative.

03
Step 03

Impressions & Shade Matching

Precise digital or physical impressions are taken and sent to our lab along with detailed shade specifications for a perfect match.

04
Step 04

Temporary Placement

Custom temporary restorations protect your prepared teeth and let you preview your new smile while the permanent pieces are fabricated.

05

Permanent Bonding

Your finished crowns or veneers are carefully checked for fit, color, and bite, then permanently bonded for a lasting, beautiful result.

Treatment Eligibility

Crown or Veneer —
Which Is Right for You?

Both crowns and veneers restore and beautify teeth — but they serve different purposes. Dr. Tran takes time to explain the distinction so you choose the restoration that fits your tooth's actual needs.

Dr. Tran reviewing crown and veneer options with a patient in Huntington Beach

You Need a Crown If…

1

Tooth Is Cracked or Fractured

A crown encases the entire tooth, holding cracked segments together and preventing the fracture from spreading to the root with every bite.

2

Large Decay or Filling

When decay or an existing filling covers more than half the tooth, a crown provides more structural support than any filling or veneer could.

3

After Root Canal Therapy

Teeth that have had a root canal become more brittle and need the full-coverage protection a crown provides against future fracture.

4

Implant Restoration

A crown is placed on top of a dental implant to complete the replacement tooth — this is one of the most common and effective uses of EMAX and zirconia crowns.

5

Severely Worn Tooth

Years of grinding or acid erosion can wear teeth down significantly. A crown rebuilds the entire tooth's height and shape, restoring proper bite and function.

You May Prefer a Veneer If…

1

Tooth Is Structurally Healthy

Veneers are a cosmetic solution for teeth that are functionally sound but aesthetically imperfect — discolored, slightly chipped, or unevenly shaped.

2

Front Teeth Only

Veneers are bonded to the front (labial) surface of teeth — they're ideal for the smile zone but aren't designed for the heavy chewing forces on molars.

3

Purely Cosmetic Goal

If your goal is a smile makeover — improving color, shape, or minor alignment — veneers are the more minimally invasive route, removing less tooth structure than a crown.

4

Staining That Won't Whiten

Intrinsic discoloration (from antibiotics, fluorosis, or trauma) doesn't respond to whitening. A veneer covers the tooth entirely in a stable, porcelain surface that stays bright.

5

Minor Gaps or Shape Issues

Small diastemas or teeth that are slightly too short can be addressed with veneers — often a quicker route than orthodontic treatment.

Not sure which restoration is right for your tooth?

Book a consultation and Dr. Tran will examine your tooth and walk you through the best option — no pressure, just clarity.

Compare Your Options

EMAX Crown
vs. EMAX Veneer

Both use premium EMAX porcelain — but the coverage and preparation are very different. Here's how they compare so you can understand what Dr. Tran recommends for your specific situation.

Best for Damaged Teeth
Full Coverage

EMAX Crown

Covers the entire tooth — strong, beautiful, and built to last decades.

Tooth Coverage 360° full cap
Ideal For Damaged / cracked
Structural Support
Back Molar Use
Tooth Removed More prep required
Longevity 15–25+ years
Cosmetic Option

EMAX Veneer

Thin porcelain shell bonded to the front of a healthy tooth for cosmetic improvement.

Tooth Coverage Front surface only
Ideal For Healthy / cosmetic
Structural Support
Back Molar Use
Tooth Removed Minimal — 0.5mm
Longevity 10–20 years

Not sure which is right for your smile? with Dr. Tran and he'll recommend the option that fits your tooth's condition and your goals.

Got Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about crowns and veneers. Have more questions? Give us a call.

(714) 374-8800 Frequently asked dental questions
What's the difference between crowns and veneers?
Crowns cover the entire tooth and are used for structural restoration and protection of damaged teeth. Veneers are thin porcelain shells bonded to the front surface of teeth, primarily for cosmetic enhancement. Crowns are ideal when a tooth is weakened or cracked, while veneers are perfect for improving the appearance of teeth that are chipped, stained, or slightly misaligned.
How long do crowns and veneers last?
With proper care and regular dental visits, porcelain crowns typically last 15 to 25 years, and veneers last 10 to 20 years. EMAX all-ceramic restorations offer the highest cosmetic quality and are ideal for front teeth. Zirconia crowns are recommended for back molars where bite strength is the priority. Both are among the most durable materials available in dentistry today.
Do veneers damage your natural teeth?
Modern veneer preparation is extremely conservative, removing only a thin layer of enamel (about 0.5mm). While this process is irreversible, it is far less invasive than a crown. Your natural tooth structure remains largely intact, and the veneer actually adds strength and protection to the prepared surface.
Are crowns and veneers covered by insurance?
Dental crowns are often partially covered by insurance when they are medically necessary, such as after a root canal or to restore a fractured tooth. Veneers are typically considered cosmetic and may not be covered. During your consultation, we will help you understand your insurance benefits and discuss our flexible financing options.
Affordable Care

Nobody Should Put Off Dental Work Because of Money

Our front desk team — they've been with us for years — will walk you through your insurance, explain exactly what's covered, and make sure there are no surprises. If you don't have insurance, we'll work with you.

Most Popular

PPO Insurance Accepted

We accept most major PPO dental plans. Our Huntington Beach team handles the paperwork and verifies your benefits before you sit in the chair — so you know exactly what to expect.

Delta Dental Cigna Aetna MetLife Guardian + More

Flexible Payment

Cash, credit, debit — whatever works for you. We'll tell you the cost upfront. No hidden fees, no surprises.

Financing Available

Need to spread it out? CareCredit and Cherry let you get the dental care you need now and pay monthly. We'll help you apply right in the office.

Come See Us —
You're Family Here

Whether it's your first visit or you've been coming for years, Dr. Tran and the team are ready to take care of you. We're right here in Huntington Beach, in the Peninsula Marketplace next to Ralph's.

Consultation Call us today