Dental Crowns in Foxhall, DC
Premium dental crowns in Foxhall, DC. Custom-crafted restorations by Dr. Gerald Marlin. On-site lab. 12 min from practice.
Dental Crowns in Foxhall, DC
Dental Crowns: Restore Function and Appearance in Foxhall
A tooth that’s cracked, broken, heavily filled, or severely discolored compromises both function and appearance. In Foxhall, where appearance and quality matter, living with a compromised tooth isn’t acceptable. A dental crown is the solution.
At Elite Prosthetic Dentistry, Dr. Gerald Marlin has crafted thousands of custom crowns over 40+ years. Each crown is individually designed and fabricated in our on-site laboratory to match your natural teeth perfectly. A well-made crown restores your tooth to full function and creates a beautiful, seamless appearance.
Understanding Dental Crowns
A dental crown is a restoration that covers your entire tooth above the gum line. It acts as a protective cap, restoring the tooth’s strength, function, and appearance. A crown can be made from various materials, each with different aesthetic and durability properties.
Crowns are among the most durable and successful dental restorations. They can last 10-15 years or longer with proper care. Many patients have crowns that function perfectly for decades.
When Are Crowns Needed?
Large Cavities
When a cavity is large, there’s insufficient tooth structure remaining for a standard filling. A crown covers and protects what remains while restoring the tooth’s size and function.
Multiple Fillings
A tooth with multiple large fillings loses structural integrity. A crown provides a more durable, long-lasting solution than adding more filling material.
Cracked or Broken Teeth
A crack or break compromises tooth structure and can lead to pain or infection. A crown protects the tooth and prevents further damage.
Root Canal Therapy
Teeth that have received root canal treatment are more brittle and prone to fracture. A crown protects the treated tooth and ensures longevity.
Severe Discoloration
Sometimes a tooth is stained so severely that bleaching cannot lighten it adequately. A crown covers the discolored tooth with a natural-looking restoration.
Misshapen Teeth
A tooth that’s undersized, oddly shaped, or otherwise aesthetically compromised can be restored with a crown that matches your natural teeth perfectly.
Crown Materials: Choosing What’s Best for You
our prosthodontic team offers several premium crown materials, each with different properties suited to different situations. The right material depends on the tooth’s location, your bite force, aesthetic priorities, and budget.
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) Crowns
These crowns have a metal base with porcelain fused over it. They offer excellent durability and aesthetic appearance. The metal base (typically gold or another alloy) provides tremendous strength, while the porcelain exterior looks natural. These are excellent for back teeth (molars and premolars) where chewing forces are greatest and appearance is less critical. PFM crowns are also highly cost-effective compared to all-ceramic options.
All-Ceramic Crowns
All-ceramic crowns are made entirely of ceramic material without a metal base. They offer superior aesthetics because light transmits through them like natural teeth, creating superior translucency and natural appearance. They’re ideal for front teeth where appearance is paramount. All-ceramic crowns mimic natural tooth color and translucency better than any other crown type.
Zirconia Crowns
Zirconia is a high-strength ceramic material that’s extremely durable, rivaling the strength of metal-based crowns. Zirconia crowns offer both excellent aesthetics and exceptional longevity. They resist chipping and wear extremely well. Zirconia is ideal when strength and beauty are both priorities and is increasingly becoming the material of choice for demanding situations.
Our on-site laboratory allows our practice to customize the material to your specific needs and preferences. We can discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each material and recommend the option that best balances your aesthetic desires with functional requirements.
Replacing Old Crowns
If you have an existing crown that’s worn, stained, cracked, or simply esthetically displeasing, it can be replaced. Replacing a crown involves removing the old crown, preparing the underlying tooth, and fabricating a new restoration. Many patients choose this time to upgrade to a more aesthetic material or correct bite issues with the original crown. our prosthodontic team can often create a more beautiful crown than the original while also improving durability and longevity.
The Dental Crown Process and Consultation
Your crown journey begins with a consultation. our practice examines your tooth, assesses the damage or discoloration, and discusses treatment options and costs. If you decide to proceed, the crown process typically takes two to three appointments over 2-3 weeks. our prosthodontic team explains what to expect at each appointment and prepares you for any temporary restorations you’ll wear between appointments.
Appointment One: Preparation
Elite Prosthetic Dentistry numbs your tooth and removes any decay or old filling material. The tooth is then gently shaped to accommodate the crown. An impression is taken of the prepared tooth, and a temporary crown is placed to protect the tooth until your permanent crown is ready.
Laboratory Fabrication
Your impressions are sent to our on-site laboratory. our prosthodontic team works closely with our laboratory technicians to ensure your crown is crafted to his exacting specifications. The tooth color, shape, and material are all customized to match your natural teeth perfectly. Our laboratory team has immediate access to Dr. Marlin for questions or adjustments, ensuring the final restoration matches your natural teeth in every detail. If the first fabrication needs adjustments, corrections are made quickly rather than waiting days for outside lab revisions.
Appointment Two: Crown Placement
When your permanent crown is ready, you return for placement. The temporary crown is removed, and the permanent crown is tried in. our specialty-trained team makes any necessary adjustments to the fit and bite. Once everything is perfect, the crown is permanently cemented to your tooth.
Natural Appearance and Quality
One reason Elite Prosthetic Dentistry’s crowns are exceptional is our commitment to natural appearance combined with superior quality. We don’t simply cover a tooth. We restore it to look like a natural, healthy tooth.
This requires skill and artistry. our prosthodontic team considers tooth color, shape, proportions, translucency, and surface texture. Our on-site laboratory allows perfect customization. If shade or shape adjustments are needed, they’re made immediately rather than waiting for outside lab revisions.
Longevity and Care
A well-made crown lasts 10-15 years or longer. Longevity depends on several factors: the material, your oral hygiene, your eating habits, and whether you grind your teeth.
To maximize your crown’s lifespan, brush twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush, floss daily, and see our specialty-trained team for regular cleanings every six months. Avoid chewing on hard objects like ice or hard candy. If you grind your teeth, a night guard protects your crown.
Crowns and Your Bite
our prosthodontic team pays careful attention to your bite when placing a crown. An improper bite can cause your crown to fail prematurely or cause jaw pain. During placement, he checks your bite from multiple angles and makes adjustments to ensure everything feels comfortable and natural.
Combining Crowns with Other Treatments
Sometimes crowns are part of a larger cosmetic or restorative plan. Perhaps you need multiple crowns, or a crown combined with veneers or other treatments. our prosthodontic team designs comprehensive treatment plans that address all your dental concerns.
The Foxhall Advantage
Foxhall residents have access to premium dental care without traveling far. Our Friendship Heights office is just 12 minutes away via Foxhall Road NW and MacArthur Boulevard. The convenient location makes regular appointments and any necessary follow-up care easily accessible.
On-Site Laboratory Advantage
Our on-site dental laboratory is a significant advantage. Rather than sending your case to an outside lab and waiting for revisions, our technicians work directly with Dr. Marlin. This ensures superior quality, faster turnaround, and perfect customization.
Schedule Your Crown Consultation
If you have a tooth that needs restoration, Dr. Marlin can help. Schedule your consultation today, or call (202) 244-2101 to discuss your crown options. Learn more about our custom-crafted crowns.
Elite Prosthetic Dentistry | 4400 Jenifer St NW Suite 220 | Washington, DC 20015
Related Resources
- Learn more about custom dental crown services
- Benefits of Custom Dental Crowns
- Explore cosmetic dentistry
- View all locations we serve
- Browse real patient case studies
- Patient education resources
- Explore treatment results
- Patient testimonials
- Browse smile results
- Learn more: what makes a natural-looking crown
- Am I a candidate?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a dental crown and when is it needed?
A dental crown is a restoration that covers your entire tooth above the gum line. Crowns are needed when a tooth has a large cavity, is heavily filled, is cracked or broken, has received root canal therapy, or is severely discolored or misshapen. A crown protects the tooth and restores its function and appearance.
What materials are used for crowns?
Dr. Marlin offers several crown materials including porcelain-fused-to-metal, all-ceramic, and zirconia. Each material has different properties. Porcelain crowns offer excellent aesthetics. Zirconia offers strength and longevity. Our on-site laboratory allows us to customize the material to your specific situation.
How long do crowns last?
Well-made crowns typically last 10-15 years or longer. Longevity depends on the material, your oral hygiene, eating habits, and whether you grind your teeth. Dr. Marlin uses premium materials and expert techniques to maximize crown lifespan. Regular cleanings and proper home care extend crown longevity.
Is crown placement painful?
No. The tooth is numbed before any preparation. You may feel vibration or pressure, but not pain. If you have dental anxiety, sedation dentistry is available. After placement, your crown may feel tender for a few days, but this subsides quickly.
Can a crown be whitened if it becomes stained?
Porcelain and zirconia crowns don't stain like natural teeth, and they cannot be whitened with professional bleaching. However, they can be polished to remove surface staining. If you're planning cosmetic whitening, it's best to do this before crown placement so the crown shade can match your whitened teeth.
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Why are Some Temporary Crowns More Natural Than Others?
Temporary crowns fabricated in our in-house laboratory are made to blend with each individual’s lip line, facial pattern, and adjacent teeth in Washington, DC.
What Makes a Natural-Looking Crown?
A natural-looking crown blends with your gum tissue, matches your smile line, and has proper translucency and coloration. Washington, DC prosthodontist.
How is an Immediate Smile Makeover Performed?
An immediate smile makeover uses personalized temporary crowns crafted to match your facial pattern and smile line while final restorations are made.
Getting Here from Foxhall
Elite Prosthetic Dentistry is conveniently located near Foxhall, DC.
Drive north on Foxhall Road NW to MacArthur Boulevard, continuing to our Friendship Heights office.
Address:
4400 Jenifer Street NW, Suite 220
Washington, DC 20015
Phone: (202) 244-2101
Schedule ConsultationSchedule Your Consultation from Foxhall
Foxhall residents trust Dr. Gerald Marlin for precision dental care. With 3,900+ implants placed and 40+ years of experience, your smile is in expert hands.