Dental Crowns
What are Dental Crowns?
A crown (or cap) is a covering that encases the entire tooth surface, restoring it to its original shape and size. It protects and strengthens tooth structures that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations.
What are Dental Crowns Used For?
Dental crowns are part of restorative dentistry that can be used to protect a weak tooth, hold together parts of a cracked tooth, restore an already broken tooth, or cover a dental implant that’s replacing that missing tooth. Occasionally, a crown is used to improve the shape, color, bite, or alignment of the patient’s teeth.
Who is a Candidate for Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are most appropriate for patients with severely decayed tooth structures, cracked or misshapen teeth, or those with dental implants for missing teeth or to address gum disease due to a missing tooth. You should also be in generally good health, practice good dental hygiene, and have enough tooth structure to support the new crown.


Benefits of Dental Crowns
One of the main benefits of dental crowns is that they strengthen and protect damaged teeth to ensure any damage can’t get any worse. Beyond that, they can also improve the appearance of the tooth and improve its function. And because a dental crown improves the look of the teeth, it can ensure you can achieve a more beautiful smile and boost your confidence. Dental crowns can also provide pain relief by protecting nerve endings.

Types of Dental Crowns
Although crowns can be made of several different types of materials, porcelain-fused crowns are the most popular. They are highly durable and will last many years, but like most dental restorations, they may eventually need to be replaced. Porcelain crowns are made to match the shape, size, and color of the other teeth, giving patients a natural, long-lasting, beautiful smile.
Metal or gold crowns are also available. While metal crowns rarely chip, because they are a metallic color, they are not as commonly asked for.
Restoring teeth with crowns is necessary for broken or fractured teeth, cosmetic enhancement, decayed teeth, fractured fillings, large fillings, and teeth with root canals. At our practice, we offer the following types of crowns:
E-Max Crowns
An E-max crown is an all-glass, ceramic crown made from a high-grade, durable, long-lasting ceramic called lithium disilicate. Many patients prefer it due to its natural-looking aesthetic qualities combined with its unlikelihood of being noticed amongst the natural opposing teeth. It is important to note that the E-max crown does not have a metal alloy base, which avoids any unsightly grey lines around the gum line.
Zirconia Crowns
All ceramic Zirconia crowns (also known as monolithic zirconia crowns) are made from zirconium dioxide. This highly favorable crown has grown in popularity in the past few years because it can be fabricated very closely to the color of the patient’s natural tooth. They offer an excellent balance of strength, durability, and aesthetics, making them a popular choice for tooth restoration.
Temporary vs Permanent Crowns
While temporary crowns can be created in your dentist’s office, most permanent crowns must be made in a dental laboratory. Temporary crowns are usually made of an acrylic-based material and can be used temporarily until a more permanent crown is created.
What to Expect During Your Dental Crown Procedure
To prepare your dental crown, your dentist may take X-rays to assess the tooth, its roots, and the surrounding bone. If there is extensive tooth decay, a very deep fracture, or other issues, a root canal may be necessary.
To create a crown, your tooth and gums around the tooth will be numbed. Next, the tooth will be reshaped to make room for the crown. Following the reshaping of the tooth, an impression will be made by using a 3D special digital scanner, or by using paste or putty. The impressions will include the surrounding teeth above and below the tooth to ensure a well-fitting crown. These impressions or scans will be sent to the dental lab, where the crown will be created. You will leave with a temporary crown while the permanent crown is being made.
During your second visit, your dentist will gently remove the temporary crown from the crowned tooth, and the new crown fit will be confirmed. Next, it will be cemented into place. You will be able to return to most of your normal activities after your crown placement.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are interested in learning more about dental crowns, please contact Dental & TMJ Specialists of Greater DC in Bethesda, MD, today. As prosthodontists, crowns and teeth aesthetics are our specialty, and we are dedicated to providing you with the best dental crowns.
Dental Crowns FAQs
Can flossing loosen a crown?Can food get trapped under a crown?Can front teeth be crowned?Can you eat normally with a crown?How do I keep my crown white?How long do dental crowns last?How long do zirconia crowns last?Is it painful to have a crown put on your tooth?Should I get a crown or pull the tooth?What should I do if a crown falls off?What are temporary crowns made of?Can crowns be placed for children?What are metal crowns?What are stainless steel crowns? |
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Dr. Kaplan has recently been awarded by the American College of Prosthodontists recognizing extraordinary collegiality, outreach, and community service.


