Tooth Crown / teeth crown / dental crown / porcelain crowns

Northern Virginia, including Arlington, Tysons Corner, Alexandria, Fairfax, and McLean, Virginia

If your teeth are damaged due to decay, fractures or a failed restoration, natural-looking porcelain crowns may be your best solution. A porcelain tooth crown is a reinforced, lab-fabricated, precision fit jacket placed over the tooth to restore its original shape and size, as well as add strength and protection to a broken down tooth.

Historically, dental crowns were made with metal or porcelain-fused-to-metal. Currently, we use all-porcelain crowns at Galleria Dental Aesthetics as we are a metal-free dental practice. Porcelain has the same luster and sheen as natural tooth enamel and will respond to thermal changes just like natural teeth. Metal expands and contracts with heat and cold and can damage your teeth. Porcelain will not damage the teeth, nor be damaged by your teeth. In addition, porcelain restorations bond teeth together offering a much stronger, longer-lasting outcome.

Generally, there are two types of crowns:

• Three-quarter dental crown – When a portion of the top of the tooth, or cusp, breaks off and leaves the tooth uneven and vulnerable to further damage, a three-quarter crown will be custom made to give back functionality and an aesthetically-pleasing appearance.
• Full dental crown – A full crown is needed when a cusp fracture is more severe, a cracked filling has progressed further to decay, or the nerve of the tooth has died requiring a root canal. Root canaled teeth lack the blood supply that keeps a tooth vital and strong.

In each case, a temporary crown will be fitted while the lab creates your permanent crown.

Inlays and Onlays

You may have damage that is not severe enough for a dental crown. In this case, an inlay or onlay might be recommended to restore your teeth. In many cases, these are made of composite resin, but in more severe cases, where more stability and strength are required, a lab-fabricated, precision fit, custom porcelain restoration is recommended. They can also be used to replace old metal fillings.

Inlays are required if there is damage or decay to the upper surface of the teeth. An onlay may be required if tooth decay extends to one or more of the cusps of the teeth.

Like the porcelain dental crown, inlays and onlays are matched to the color of your natural teeth, so there is less of a chance that anyone will notice.

Consider treating your crown as you do your natural teeth and take care of it by brushing and flossing. This will ensure the maximum lifespan of your crown.

If you would like to discuss how all-porcelain dental crowns can help restore your bite and your smile, please contact the experienced Virginia cosmetic dentists at Galleria Dental Aesthetics. Located in Tysons Corner, we serve the Arlington, Reston, Alexandria, and Fairfax, Virginia areas, and all of Northern Virginia.