Dental Crowns

Dental Crowns in Loudoun County, VA

A crown is a custom-made cap that covers a damaged tooth, restoring its strength, shape, and appearance. It’s often recommended when a tooth has too much decay or damage for a filling to hold, after a root canal, or to protect a cracked or heavily worn tooth. Crowns are typically made of porcelain, designed to blend in with your natural teeth while restoring full chewing function.

Many Dulles dental patients prefer crowns to silver amalgam fillings.

Traditional fillings require that metal be applied directly into your mouth, but the same is not true for the alternative. A crown is fabricated from a mold of your mouth; crowns are created in a lab from your unique tooth impression and sculpted so that the wearer’s bite and jaw movements function normally. Usually made of porcelain, many dental patients prefer crowns to traditional fillings because they are designed to mimic the appearance and strength of teeth.

Crowns are most often used to save adult teeth, but your Loudoun Dental Associates dentist may consider placing a crown over a child’s primary (or baby) tooth in order to:

Save a tooth so decayed it can’t support a filling
Protect the teeth of a child at high risk for tooth decay
Decrease the rate at which general anesthesia may be necessary for children unable because of age, behavior, or medical history to fully cooperate with the requirements of proper dental care.

Dental crowns are custom-made caps that cover a tooth to improve its shape, strength, and appearance. Here are some of the benefits of dental crowns:

Protects weak teeth: Dental crowns provide extra support to weak teeth that may be prone to cracking or breaking. They also prevent further damage to the tooth by holding it together.
Restores the shape and size of the tooth: If you have a tooth that has been worn down or broken, a crown can restore its shape and size.
Enhances the appearance of the tooth: Dental crowns can be made to match the color of your natural teeth, making them virtually indistinguishable from your other teeth. They can also improve the appearance of discolored or misshapen teeth.
Improves tooth function: Crowns can improve the functionality of your teeth by restoring their ability to chew and bite properly.
Covers dental implants: Dental crowns can be used to cover dental implants, providing a natural-looking replacement for missing teeth.
Long-lasting: Crowns are durable and can last for many years with proper care and maintenance.

Overall, dental crowns offer a range of benefits for individuals with damaged or weak teeth, improving their function and appearance while providing long-lasting protection.

Why You Might Need a Crown

A tooth with too much decay for a filling to support
A cracked, broken, or severely worn tooth
Protection for a tooth after root canal treatment
Covering and protecting a dental implant
Improving the shape or appearance of a misshapen or discolored tooth

What to Expect

Getting a crown typically takes two visits. At the first, we shape the tooth and take an impression, which is used to custom-fabricate your crown; you’ll wear a temporary crown in the meantime. At the second visit, we check the fit and permanently cement the finished crown in place. Crowns are also sometimes recommended for children’s baby teeth — for example, to save a tooth with extensive decay or to help protect the teeth of a child at high risk of cavities. See our pediatric dentistry page for more on caring for kids’ teeth.

How Long Do Crowns Last?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, most dental crowns last between five and 15 years with proper care, and some last even longer. Good brushing and flossing habits, along with routine checkups, are the biggest factors in how long yours will last.

Cost and Financing

Crown cost depends on the tooth and material used. We accept most major dental insurance plans and offer CareCredit financing. Visit our Financial Info page, or call and we’ll walk you through your specific costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does getting a crown hurt?

The tooth is numbed with local anesthetic before we begin shaping it, so the procedure itself shouldn’t hurt. Mild sensitivity for a few days afterward is normal.

How long does a dental crown last?

Most crowns last five to 15 years with proper care, and some last even longer depending on the material and how well you care for it.

How many visits does a crown take?

Typically two: one to shape the tooth and take an impression, and a second to place the finished crown. You’ll wear a temporary crown in between.

What’s the difference between a crown and a filling?

A filling repairs a small area of decay, while a crown covers the entire visible portion of the tooth. Crowns are used when there isn’t enough healthy tooth structure left for a filling to work.

Schedule a Dental Crown Consultation

Call (703) 542-7600 or schedule your appointment online.