Porcelain + crowns = A winning combination for your smile!
Porcelain veneers are the secret behind many celebrities’ “perfect” teeth. So, it is no wonder the general public has caught on and wants them, too! Porcelain as a dental material is considered the next closest thing we have to natural tooth enamel. Its translucency and ability to reflect light are similar to the natural tooth structure. Plus, dental porcelain is not the fragile material you may assume it to be, and some of today’s performance ceramics are as strong if not stronger than metals. Farhoumand Dentistry applies a similarly exacting approach to crafting crowns at our office in Tysons Corner, Virginia.
Why would I need a crown in the first place?
Porcelain veneers are largely a cosmetic procedure. These thin shells of handcrafted porcelain are applied to the surfaces of “imperfect” teeth. Once secured, they cover up the flaw, be it a chip, small crack, or excess space between two teeth. Now, porcelain crowns are different. While they can be applied for more extensive cosmetic cases, they are often associated with restorative dentistry treatment – to resolve an underlying oral health condition. For instance, our dentists may recommend crowns to hold together broken teeth, fix a big area of decay, or replace a worn or large filling, and they are typically the final step in the root canal process.
How are crowns applied?
Crowns are designed to fit on top of the natural tooth. Typically, the process of delivering a dental crown requires at least two appointments. The first appointment is mainly for preparation, where damaged areas of the tooth are removed. We also collect information about the tooth and its neighbors, which our lab uses to make your permanent crown. We use only the finest materials and labs. So, when you return to our office to place your permanent crown, we know you will be thrilled by it!
As appropriate, we can even provide you with your new crown in just one visit. The need for a temporary crown, a return visit, and the wait while an outside lab makes the permanent restoration is avoided.
How can you make my crown in one appointment?
We use a computer-aided system called CEREC. This technology includes special software and equipment that allows us to plan, design, fabricate, and cement the crown in a day at our office in Tysons Corner, Virginia.
How long should my crown last?
It depends on how well you take care of your teeth! That is really the only limitation when it comes to porcelain crowns or other restorations made from this attractive, durable, and versatile material. The porcelain holds up and wears very well and also “gets along well” with surrounding tissues. Over time, you should not notice any changes in the material’s appearance, unlike crowns made from metals that tend to develop a dark discoloration at the gumline. Here again, though, oral care at home and professional services at Farhoumand Dentistry are essential to keep your crown looking and functioning at its best. To speak with a member of our team about crowns and more, call us at (703) 636-2442 today.
