Your teeth may become damaged during your life. Due to dental decay, trauma, or regular use, they might lose their shape or size. 

As a dental restoration option, dental crowns in Herndon (also known as caps) come into play. Consider it a snug “hat” for your broken teeth! It’s cemented over your natural teeth to restore their shape, size, strength, and beauty while protecting them from additional harm. 

Because of the protection it provides, a tooth crown can also help to reduce the need for more serious procedures such as extractions or root canals.

There are different crowns in dentistry, just as in the real world. Partial crowns (also known as onlays) and 3/4 crowns do not completely cover the tooth like a typical dental crown. 

This may be a more viable alternative for you if you still have a strong tooth structure, and it is frequently regarded as a more conservative method. The afflicted portion is removed to restore strength to your weakened tooth, and the tooth is modified to receive the crown.

Another type is a temporary crown, which safeguards a tooth while waiting for a permanent crown or even root canal therapy. This assists you in going about your daily activities without pain and preventing additional damage. It is held in place with temporary dental cement until your permanent one is ready.

The Making of a Dental Crown (Cap)

A dental crown process usually requires two trips to the dentist’s office. Your dentist will prepare your tooth at the first appointment, and the actual installation will take place at the second session.

Let’s have a look at the crown preparation procedure. When you initially visit the dentist for your crown, your dentist will examine and prepare the tooth thoroughly. This entails taking x-rays of the tooth and the bone surrounding it. 

Tooth decay with a risk of infection or any harm to the tooth’s pulp is not uncommon (this is the soft tissue inside your teeth where your blood vessels, connective tissue, and nerves live). These signs point to the need for root canal therapy before proceeding with the cap.

If no problems are discovered, your dentist will numb the tooth and the surrounding area before filing it down to make way for the crown. The amount of filling required is mostly determined by the type of crown you will receive. 

Metal crowns are thinner, whereas porcelain crowns, which require more space to put, are used at dental in Herndon. We use a filler substance to build up the framework so that the crown can be put properly in cases where there is a lot of damage or decay on the surface.

After sculpting the tooth, your dentist will interpret the tooth and the teeth above and below it with a paste or putty. This ensures that your bite is unaffected! The imprints are shipped to a lab, where the personalized crown is created. 

Your dentist will collaborate with you to choose the perfect shade of porcelain crown to match your natural tooth color. Your dentist may commend a temporary crown on your teeth if you need to safeguard your tooth while waiting for the lab.

The permanent crown is placed on the prepared tooth during the second visit. If you have a temporary crown, your dentist will remove it before examining the permanent one for fit and color. 

It is cemented in place, and crown placement is complete, assuming no difficulties with fit or color. Your dentist may utilize a local anesthetic or numbing drug to make the treatment trouble-free.

What Are the Various Crown Styles? 

Crowns are not all composed of the same material. Your dentist will recommend a specific material or a combination of materials based on your situation.

Composite Crown 

Composite crowns have a natural appearance. Normal eating wears them down, although they are more durable and less likely to chip than porcelain crowns. The highly polished surface is also more prone to staining, and tooth brushing can damage it.

Metal Crown

Gold is used to make metal crowns. They usually last a long time, are resistant to chipping and breaking, and don’t affect the natural teeth around them. The major disadvantage is that it is a gold crown, not giving it a natural appearance.

Porcelain Crown

Porcelain crowns are the most natural-looking alternative, but they are more likely to chip. Because of their brittle nature, they are rarely utilized on rear teeth.

Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns

Crowns made of porcelain fused to metal allow you to maintain your natural appearance while adding strength. Compared to porcelain or ceramic crowns, they are less likely to chip. If your gums are naturally thin, there’s a potential that some metal will show.

Conclusion 

Overall, crowns are a highly successful and extremely safe method of preventing further decay and correcting your teeth. If you’re in discomfort or have had an injury to your mouth, you should always tell your Herndon dentist. Allowing problems to fester can result in the need for more intensive treatment.

We’re happy to answer any inquiries you might have about dental crowns. Our team is available to help you through the process and address any issues you may have.

Galleria Dental Smiles focuses on a complete approach to oral health for people in the Herndon and Northern Virginia areas. Book an appointment if you need dental crowns in Herndon.