Custom Crowns and Bridges in Washington, DC

Custom-Crafted Crowns & Bridges

Smile Again with Top-Quality Dental Crowns and Bridges

How Our Custom Dental Crowns Match the Patient’s Internal Coloring to Create an “All-Natural” Crown

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Rejuvenate Your Smile With Superbly Crafted Dental Restorations

Damaged or decayed teeth can make it difficult to eat or speak comfortably and cause you to feel self-conscious about your smile appearance. The good news is that if the interior of a damaged tooth is intact, it can be saved and restored with a dental crown.

If you have one or two missing teeth, a dental bridge enables proper chewing and prevents adjacent teeth from drifting. Whether you have chipped, cracked, broken, severely decayed, or missing teeth, our skilled prosthodontist and dental lab technician will work closely with you to make your smile fully functional again with beautifully fabricated dental bridges and crowns in Washington, DC!

Precise Crown Selection Protocols

At Elite Prosthetic Dentistry, we follow a strict protocol when determining the types of crowns you receive. Hand-crafted options include:

• Milled plus handcrafted all-ceramic crowns and bridges and teeth that need splinting (for three to four teeth or less)
• Porcelain fused to high noble metal crowns (g., gold, platinum, palladium, and silver) for any significant reconstruction requiring the most accurate fit and splinting of multiple teeth together
• Fully milled anatomic crowns in the non-aesthetic zone when more excellent strength/resistance is required due to severe bruxism (tooth clenching/grinding) or worn-down dentition
• Milled anatomic crowns with custom porcelain added to the outside surface for a natural appearance

Dental Crowns - Dr. Gerald Marlin

Dental Crowns Protect Weakened Teeth

A crown is a tooth cap that surrounds the visible portion of a tooth to strengthen it and reduce the risk of further complications. A zirconia crown offers 10 times the strength of natural tooth enamel and a minimum of three times that of porcelain. Made from lithium disilicate ceramic, eMax provides excellent translucency, durability, and natural-looking aesthetics. All ceramic crowns cannot be used when more than three teeth or implants need to be splinted; noble metal crowns are used under those circumstances.

Crowns composed of at least 50% noble metals interact well with human tissue, providing better oxidation and corrosion resistance than other metals. The appropriate type of tooth crown is chosen for their particular needs and created in Washington, DC, at our on-site dental lab. They are precisely matched in size, shape, shade, and translucency to adjacent teeth, blending seamlessly with your smile and restoring a comfortable bite.

The Elite Dental Crown Process

The procedure begins by removing decay and then reducing the tooth structure on the top and sides to accommodate the crown. An impression is taken that our dental lab technician uses to create your new restoration. We’ll provide you with a temporary crown resembling natural teeth so you can continue your daily life without worrying about a missing or incompatible tooth.

During your second visit, our prosthodontist will place the permanent crown. If a crown causes any bite interferences, careful occlusal adjustment is performed to restore a proper bite and prevent pain, discomfort, and temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

”Result Was Absolutely Excellent” R.P. Testimonial | Dr. Marlin

The Benefits Of Dental Crowns

• Restores strength to damaged teeth
• Improves tooth size, shape, and color
• Repairs severely decayed teeth
• Preserves tooth after a root canal
• Restores dental implants

What’s The Difference Between Dental Implants & Bridges?

Dental BridgesFill Unsightly Gaps Left by Tooth Loss

Even a single missing tooth can cause bone loss and shifting of surrounding teeth. A dental bridge in Washington, DC, is an alternative to dental implants for one or more missing teeth in a row. As with a single crown, the teeth on each side of the empty socket are modified, and impressions are taken.

Your bridge is fabricated on-site from the highest-quality materials and color-matched to look natural alongside your existing teeth. A traditional bridge is used when the teeth around a missing tooth space are broken down and will need crowns in the future. On the other hand, if the teeth on either side of a space are healthy, placing an implant in the missing tooth space is preferred, as it will preserve the bone in that spot while preventing the need to prepare the two adjacent teeth.

The Benefits of Our Hand-Crafted Ceramic Crowns

In this digital era, stamped-out, milled crowns are routinely developed from virtual libraries in software programs without the tighter machining tolerance for a better fit. At Elite Prosthetic Dentistry, our team takes pride in handcrafting crowns at our in-house dental lab. Our dental lab technician masterfully crafts crowns by hand using different porcelains on an all-ceramic base with the utmost precision and attention to detail. All ceramic crowns handcrafted at our dental lab are based upon milled zirconia copings with tight tolerances that combine with a custom porcelain anatomic form to match your natural tooth shape and blend in with your facial pattern. These crowns offer numerous benefits, including:

• Superior lifelike aesthetics

Frequently Asked Questions

What are dental restorations, and how can they rejuvenate my smile?

Dental restorations, such as crowns and bridges, repair damaged or decayed teeth, restoring function and appearance. By protecting weakened teeth and filling gaps from missing teeth, they make eating and speaking easier. These restorations are customized to match the natural look of your teeth, enhancing your smile. Our skilled team at Elite Prosthetic Dentistry in Washington, DC ensures a precise fit and a natural-looking result.

How do dental crowns protect weakened teeth?

Dental crowns act as caps that fully encase the visible portion of a weakened tooth, preventing further damage. Zirconia crowns, for instance, are significantly stronger than natural enamel, providing long-lasting durability. Crowns can restore damaged or decayed teeth, improve their size and shape, and even protect teeth after a root canal. Custom-made crowns at Elite Prosthetic Dentistry are crafted to blend seamlessly with your existing teeth.

What materials are used in dental crowns at Elite Prosthetic Dentistry?

At Elite Prosthetic Dentistry, we use various high-quality materials, including all ceramic, porcelain-fused-to-metal, and zirconia for dental crowns. Each material is selected based on the patient’s unique needs, with factors like strength, aesthetics, and biocompatibility considered. For example, eMax crowns offer exceptional translucency and durability, while noble metals provide superior fit and resistance. The result is a strong, natural-looking restoration.

How is a dental bridge different from a dental implant?

A dental bridge is a restoration used to fill gaps caused by missing teeth by anchoring to the adjacent teeth, while an implant involves placing a titanium post directly into the bone. Bridges are ideal when neighboring teeth need crowns, whereas implants preserve bone health without altering surrounding teeth. At Elite Prosthetic Dentistry, we fabricate custom bridges for seamless integration with your smile. Implants are preferred when adjacent teeth are healthy.

What is the procedure for getting a dental crown?

The dental crown procedure begins with removing decay and shaping the tooth to accommodate the crown. A skilled dental lab technician takes an impression and uses it to create a custom crown. During a follow-up visit, the permanent crown is fitted, and any necessary adjustments are made to ensure a perfect bite. Temporary crowns are provided in the interim, allowing you to function normally while awaiting the final restoration.

What are the benefits of using zirconia crowns?

Zirconia crowns are exceptionally strong, offering up to ten times the strength of natural enamel, making them ideal for areas under significant pressure, like molars. These crowns are also biocompatible, reducing the risk of adverse reactions, and are customized to mimic the natural translucency of teeth. Their durability and aesthetic appeal make them a popular choice for long-lasting restorations. At Elite Prosthetic Dentistry, we ensure a perfect fit for a natural and functional smile.

Why choose handcrafted crowns over digitally milled crowns?

Handcrafted crowns offer superior aesthetics and a more precise fit than standard digitally milled crowns. At Elite Prosthetic Dentistry, our in-house dental lab creates crowns with internal color shading and custom porcelain layering for a lifelike appearance. Handcrafting allows for tight tolerances and attention to detail that virtual libraries in digital programs often lack. This ensures crowns blend seamlessly with your facial structure and existing teeth.

What is the difference between porcelain and metal crowns?

Porcelain crowns offer superior aesthetics, closely mimicking the natural color and translucency of teeth, while metal crowns provide exceptional strength and durability. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns combine the benefits of both materials, offering a strong, durable base with a natural-looking exterior. At Elite Prosthetic Dentistry, we choose the material based on your specific dental needs and the location of the tooth being restored. Each option is custom-made for optimal function and appearance.

Can crowns improve the appearance of my smile?

Yes, dental crowns can significantly enhance the appearance of your smile by improving the size, shape, and color of damaged or misshapen teeth. Crowns are custom-designed to match your natural teeth, providing a seamless, aesthetic improvement. Whether you need a single crown or multiple, they offer a durable, long-lasting solution for a more confident smile. At Elite Prosthetic Dentistry, we focus on creating crowns that restore both function and beauty.

How long do dental crowns typically last?

With proper care, dental crowns can last between 10 to 15 years or even longer. Their lifespan depends on factors like the material used, your oral hygiene habits, and any habits like teeth grinding. Regular dental check-ups and proper care, including brushing and flossing, can extend the life of your crown. At Elite Prosthetic Dentistry, we use high-quality materials to ensure your crowns are built to last.

What makes Elite Prosthetic Dentistry's crowns unique?

At Elite Prosthetic Dentistry, we combine high-quality materials with skilled craftsmanship to create custom dental crowns. Our in-house dental lab allows for meticulous attention to detail, ensuring a precise fit and natural appearance. Handcrafted crowns offer superior aesthetics, including lifelike translucency and internal color shading. Our personalized approach ensures each patient receives the best possible restoration for their needs.