Actual Patient
Having damaged teeth is inconvenient and uncomfortable. In addition to affecting your appearance, the damage may also alter your normal mouth and teeth functioning. This is why many patients opt to have a dental crown placed.
WHAT ARE DENTAL CROWNS?
A dental crown, or tooth crown, is a tooth-shaped “cap” placed over the damaged tooth. Anyone, regardless of socioeconomic status or attention to good oral hygiene, can fall victim to cracked, broken or worn-down teeth. At Galleria Dental Aesthetics, we offer all-porcelain dental crowns to our patients in the Arlington and Tysons Corner area to help provide stability to damaged teeth.
Cosmetic Dentists in Virginia, Dr. Lee and Dr. Oh pride themselves on their abilities to take cosmetic dentistry to a whole new aesthetic level. By incorporating porcelain dental crowns into their procedure offerings, our office is able to make the tooth crown flow seamlessly with the rest of the smile. Porcelain crowns can be manufactured to precisely mimic the tooth color and shape of your existing teeth.
Mastering the technique of properly incorporating porcelain dental crowns into a smile requires years of training and experience. Realizing that this method will produce superior results for our patients, our cosmetic dentists have made the commitment to learning and excelling at this skill.
TYPES OF DENTAL CROWNS
Previously, there were only metal or porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. With newer technology, the gold standard in dental crowns is now all-porcelain. Our natural-looking porcelain crowns, when cemented into place, fully encase the entire visible portion of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line. We are a metal-free dental practice. The two types of porcelain restorations which bond teeth together are:
- 3/4 Dental Crown – If your tooth’s cusp breaks off, a 3/4 custom-crafted crown will restore functionality in an aesthetically pleasing way.
- Full Dental Crown – This is required when your cusp fracture is more severe, when nerve damage occurs, or a cracked filling has decayed.
BENEFITS OF PORCELAIN CROWNS
Our Northern Virginia cosmetic dentists use only all-porcelain crowns because they have several benefits:
- Porcelain crowns can be colored and shaped to blend more naturally with your teeth.
- All-porcelain crowns have strong composition.
- Porcelain crowns are resistant to expansion and contraction when exposed to heat and cold.
- All-porcelain crowns are a perfect material for dental implants.
HOW ARE DENTAL CROWNS PLACED?
The idea of getting a dental crown can be daunting for some patients. At Galleria Dental Aesthetics in Virginia, our experienced team of cosmetic dentists including Dr. Chong Lee and support staff routinely place tooth crowns for our patients. They do so in the most gentle and professional manner possible. When you come to our office for a dental crown, we will fully inform you about each step of the process so you feel comfortable and informed. The dental crown process typically takes two office visits.
WHAT ISSUES CAN TOOTH CROWNS FIX?
Actual Patient
Your teeth can be protected with a dental crown and have its original shape restored so that it feels and functions as it did before becoming damaged from:
- Cracked tooth
- Failed restoration
- Chipped tooth
- Broken teeth
- Severely decayed teeth
Tooth crowns can also act as a replacement tooth for a dental implant or act as an anchor for a dental bridge.
THE DENTAL CROWN PROCESS: STEP ONE
During the first visit, the tooth will be filed down on all sides as well as on the chewing surface to allow the crown to fit the tooth properly. We must ensure the crown will not interfere with your ability to chew or speak clearly, and that it blends seamlessly with your natural smile. It may also be necessary to gently file down the teeth surrounding the damaged tooth to accommodate the crown.
When the tooth is prepared, we will make a mold of the tooth so a perfectly shaped porcelain dental crown can be manufactured by our master dental lab technician. The color will match that of your existing teeth. This process typically takes approximately two weeks. A temporary crown will cover and protect the prepared tooth. We understand that our patients will not want their dental work to show; the temporary crown will be matched to your teeth.
THE DENTAL CROWN PROCESS: STEP TWO
You will return to our dental office when your custom-made porcelain dental crown has been delivered. The temporary crown will be removed and the new dental crown will be checked for the proper fit, alignment and color. When all parties are satisfied that the new dental crown is a perfect fit, we will permanently cement the crown to the tooth.
“Dr. Lee and his staff have consistently done a great job for me over the past 8 or so years, both on routine matters and more complicated procedures. They are timely, courteous and extremely professional. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a dentist.” – Sean
HOW DO I CARE FOR MY DENTAL CROWN?
Be sure to preserve your teeth for life, whether they are natural or porcelain, by brushing and flossing regularly. In addition, keeping your regularly scheduled dental appointments is a pivotal part of effective oral hygiene.
DENTAL CROWNS AND ROOT CANALS
It is sometimes necessary for patients to undergo a root canal treatment prior to receiving a dental crown. A root canal helps to prevent future infection of a decayed or cracked tooth by the removal of the damaged nerve and pulp from within the tooth.
TOOTH RESTORATION: DENTAL BRIDGES AND CROWNS
Actual Patient
In the past, bridges clipped in place and had to be removed for cleaning. Occasionally they would become lost, get broken, or even change shape enough to lose their original fit. Today, cosmetic surgeons can anchor your dental bridge to neighboring teeth with crowns that will hold them in place permanently. The result is that you maintain them as you would your natural teeth, and there is less chance of abrasion against your gums and loss of valuable supporting bone structure.
INLAYS AND ONLAYS
If your tooth has incurred damage which is not severe enough for a dental crown, but still requires correction; an inlay or onlay may be a wise choice. Inlays and onlays are made of composite resin. In cases where more strength and stability are required, our lab will create a precision fit, custom-crafted, porcelain dental inlay or dental onlay to meet your reconstructive dentistry services needs. Inlays work to prevent further damage or decay to your tooth’s upper surface. Onlays are required only if your tooth decay extends to one or more of the cusps of your teeth.
HOW LONG DO PORCELAIN CROWNS LAST?
Dental crowns generally last 10 years depending on how well you practice oral hygiene routines. Dr. Lee recommends to avoid certain personal habits such as; teeth grinding, nail biting or chewing hard substances like ice or candy. The tooth underneath a crown is still subject to tooth decay and gum disease which is why its important to continue brushing and flossing daily.
DENTAL CROWN PROBLEMS
At Galleria Dental Aesthetics, we take every precaution to ensure that your dental crown will be precisely fit, comfortable and durable. However, like any dental procedure, there are potential complications that can arise, including:
- Tooth sensitivity
- Crown becoming loose, allowing harmful bacteria to form under the crown
- Chips in the porcelain material
- Crown falling off (could require a new crown to be made)
If you experience any of these complications, please contact our office as soon as possible so we can rectify the situation.
OTHER TOOTH RESTORATION OPTIONS
Actual Patient
Why feel unhappy when our cosmetic dentists can give you an endearing smile that makes you feel proud? Porcelain crowns can be placed on any tooth and are one of several fixes for damaged teeth. Other options for less damaged teeth, like porcelain veneers or inlays and onlays may be worth considering as well, so ask your cosmetic dentist which treatment is best for you.
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION
To learn more about how we use dental crowns to improve your smile, please call Galleria Dental Aesthetics at 703.448.1020 to schedule a consultation with one of our cosmetic dentists. Our practice serves McLean and surrounding areas in Northern Virginia.
Click here to print the post-operative instructions for dental crowns, bridges, inlays and onlays.
