If you are looking for a dentist in Vienna, VA, who offers porcelain crowns for dental restorations, contact our Capital Esthetics and Family Dentistry office at 703-225-0040 today!

What is a dental crown?

A dental crown, also called a cap, can help restore a damaged or decayed tooth.

Crowns are custom-made to fit over the entire tooth. Dental crowns can be made of metal, ceramic, or porcelain.

At Capital Esthetics, we prefer to use porcelain crowns to give our patients the best results. Porcelain dental crowns are the most popular because they match natural teeth’ color and general appearance. Plus, porcelain is a durable material made to last for years.

How are dental crowns used?

Dentists will recommend porcelain crowns for damaged or decayed teeth if a dental filling cannot provide a successful restoration. Crowns can also be used for several other restorative and aesthetic purposes:

• To protect a tooth that has received a root canal
• To anchor and attach a dental bridge
• To cover and complete a dental implant
• To enhance the beauty of your smile
• To improve the appearance of a misshapen tooth
• To strengthen a fractured or weakened tooth
• To support a large filling when very little of natural tooth structure remains

Crowns are used in various ways to restore your smile and keep your teeth healthy. Our porcelain crowns are designed to provide you with a beautiful, long-lasting smile restoration that you can enjoy for years.

The Process of a Porcelain Crown and Aftercare

Before we begin any procedure, Dr. Pham will evaluate your comfort level and describe the entire process. We want every patient to feel as comfortable as possible, so we offer sedation dentistry to make your experience more relaxing and pain-free.

Dr. Pham will prepare the natural tooth when placing a crown around a tooth. She will remove a portion of the enamel so the crown has room to fit the tooth without pushing adjacent teeth.

Once this is complete, we will clean the tooth and place a temporary crown while your new crown is fabricated in the dental laboratory. Then, we will remove the temporary crown and bond the new, permanent crown during a second visit.

After the crown is placed, it is essential to take proper care of your restoration. Crowns require the same conscientious care as you would provide your natural teeth. In addition, make sure to continue basic oral hygiene routines to prevent dental plaque build-up.

If you have a grinding habit of bruxism, you should use a mouthguard to protect your teeth and restorations. Crowns are durable but can be damaged from misuse and bruxism. It would be best if you continued to visit our dental office for regular oral exams and cleanings.

Porcelain Crowns vs. Ceramic

Ceramic and porcelain crowns are commonly used because they resemble natural teeth and are more aesthetically pleasing.

An advantage of porcelain is that it will last much longer than ceramic, and they are more durable, especially if bonded with metal. Ceramic crowns can easily be broken and damaged. It can be challenging to restore a broken crown since it is permanently bonded to the tooth. Porcelain does cost more than ceramic but offers the longevity of the restoration in return.

Porcelain crowns are lab-created so that you will need two visits for this restoration process. Some dental offices offer Same-Day-Crown treatments, where the ceramic crown is fabricated in just one visit. The downfall of ceramic crowns is that they do not last near as long as porcelain and are not as durable, so the odds of needing to replace your ceramic crown are higher.

Porcelain crowns can last over fifteen years with proper care, sometimes even 25-30 years. It is essential to care for your restorations not to be damaged. Chewing on hard foods or objects such as your nails or ice should be avoided.

Schedule a Consultation Today!

We are pleased to offer porcelain crowns in Vienna, VA. If you have questions about porcelain dental crowns, please call us today! Schedule a consultation today at 703-225-0040! Dr. Pham and our team is dedicated to providing the highest quality dental treatment to our patients.