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. For example, it 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. Occasionally, a crown is used to improve the shape, color, bite, or alignment of the patient’s teeth.

Types of Dental Crowns

Although crowns can be made of several different types of materials, porcelain (tooth-colored crowns) is 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 teeth, giving patients a natural, long-lasting, beautiful smile.

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, metal-free crown made from a high grade of durable, long-lasting ceramic called lithium disilicate. Many patients prefer it due to its natural-looking esthetic qualities combined with its unlikelihood of being noticed amongst natural 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 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 surrounding bone. If there is extensive tooth decay, 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 and the new crown fit will be confirmed. Next, it will be cemented into place. 

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 esthetics is our specialty and we are dedicated to providing you the best dental crowns.

Dental Crowns FAQs

What are temporary crowns made of? Temporary crowns are made from materials that are designed to last for a shorter period while a permanent crown is being fabricated. The materials used are not as strong or durable as those for permanent crowns, but they provide esthetics, function and protection during the interim period. Can crowns be placed for children? For children, a crown may be used on baby teeth to protect teeth that are at risk for decay or to save a damaged tooth. At times it can be used also on permanent teeth that already replaced the baby teeth. What are metal crowns? Metal crowns are dental crowns made entirely from metal alloys, known for their exceptional strength, durability, and longevity. Because metal crowns rarely chip and they wear much less the opposing teeth. These crowns have been used for decades in restorative dentistry and are still preferred in certain cases where strength is the main concern, especially for back teeth (molars). What are stainless steel crowns? A stainless steel crown is a pre-made dental crown used to restore a damaged or decayed tooth, especially in children or in certain adult cases where a temporary solution is needed. They are made from stainless steel, a durable and corrosion-resistant metal alloy, and are commonly used for both primary (baby) teeth and as temporary crowns for adults.