Dental Crowns in Rockville, MD

Have you ever bitten down on something hard and cracked your tooth? This unfortunate incident happens all the time, and there’s a good chance it might happen to you at some point in your life if it hasn’t already.

Luckily, there is an easy fix for this common dental injury, and dozens of others just like it: tooth crowns! 

Dental crowns protect damaged or at-risk teeth by acting as a shield against future injuries. These tooth caps, which typically consist of porcelain, ceramic, or a metal such as gold, are invaluable in the dental world because they give millions of compromised teeth a second chance at thriving. 

If you have a broken tooth in Rockville, MD, our caring dentists can repair it and cover the sensitive area with a crown. To schedule a dental appointment with us so we can fix your tooth, contact Gladnick Family & Cosmetic Dentistry today by calling (301) 963-0800!

• What are crowns for teeth?
• Why would I need a dental crown? 
• How will my dentist place my tooth crown? 
• Why are dental crowns made out of different materials?
• What do I do if I think I need crowns for teeth? 

What are crowns for teeth? 

A tooth crown is an indirect dental restoration that fits over the chewing surface and sides of a tooth. A dental crown is like a hat or helmet that rests on top of the tooth, and it helps protect its vulnerable areas from future attackers. Our dental crowns rest on top of your natural tooth structure the way a golden crown would rest on top of your head. 

Dentists use crowns for teeth when a tooth gets:

• Cracked
• Chipped 
• Split
• Fractured 
• Filled with a large filling 

Additionally, crowns for teeth in Rockville can also serve a cosmetic purpose. If you have a tooth that’s stained or discolored and doesn’t respond well to professional teeth whitening treatments, then we can help by placing a crown over it. While you may not be able to bleach the stain away, you can cover it up with a trusted tooth crown. 

Whether you want to use a tooth crown for restorative or cosmetic purposes (or even both!), our dentists are happy to help. 

Why would I need a dental crown?

Teeth are the hardest structures in our bodies, but they aren’t indestructible.

When cavities or trauma damage our natural teeth, usually, a simple filling or dental restoration can solve the problem. But in cases where the injury is so extensive, or the cavity is so large, that a direct dental restoration can’t provide the necessary long-term protection that a tooth needs to prevent further breakdown, dentists will usually turn to crowns. 

Crowns are also useful on some teeth that have had root canal therapy. Root canal therapy removes tooth structure from the inside of the tooth, leaving the tooth more brittle and prone to fracture. This is especially true of our molars and premolars because these teeth are subjected to the strongest forces during chewing.

Teeth that have had a history of multiple large fillings are also prone to fracture. Often, these teeth can benefit from crowns.

You might need a dental crown if:

• You recently had root canal treatment that left your tooth fragile
• You cracked a tooth, and its core is unstable or prone to further injury 
• Part of a tooth broke off, and you need to replace the missing part
• A tooth is stained from food, drink, medication, or tobacco and won’t respond to professional-grade teeth bleaching 
• A tooth is abnormally small or short, and you want to cover up the existing crown with a more attractive one 
• Your dentist had to use a large filling after cleaning out a cavity 
• You struggle with clenching and grinding your teeth while you sleep and have worn down some of your tooth surfaces 
• You regularly chew on pencils, ice, or other items that can leave your teeth damaged 
• One of your teeth has an incomplete tooth fracture, which causes you extreme pain when you chew 
• You have a dental implant post that needs a new tooth crown 

If any of these situations describe you, don’t panic. We can get you out of pain and reduce the sensitivity your natural tooth is feeling by placing a crown. 

Crowns for teeth work alongside an existing tooth structure — they cannot stand alone as a dental restoration. Because they fit over a natural tooth that’s already in your mouth, it’s standard practice for your Rockville dentist to have to remove a small portion of tooth enamel to make room for your new tooth cap. 

To place a tooth crown, Dr. Gladnick will first “reduce” your tooth slightly to accommodate the crown’s surface. In most cases, we only have to take off a minimal amount of tooth structure. 

After we prepare your tooth for specific dimensions, we then take a dental impression using a highly specific rubber-like material and send the impression off to a dental lab. Dental lab artisans then use the impression to create a stone model of your teeth. Upon completion of this model, they then design your crown to custom-fit your tooth.   

Once our treatment team receives your dental crown back from the lab, you’ll visit us for a second dental appointment where Dr. Gladnick will permanently bond the crown to your existing tooth. Then, once the tooth crown is in your mouth, it will become an integral part of your smile. 

Your tooth crown will always look as realistic as possible and will match the color of your natural teeth. Unless you tell other people that you have an artificial crown, no one else should even be able to tell. Our crowns for teeth in Rockville are the very best in the dental industry! 

Why are dental crowns made out of different materials?

Most dentists offer crowns for teeth made from a variety of materials to suit their patients’ different preferences and budgets. 

Dentists can make crowns out of porcelain, ceramic, zirconia, composite resin, and metals, including gold. Each of these materials has specific advantages, and we’ll help you choose the best solution for your smile, depending on your individual needs. 

For example, if you need a dental crown for a molar or back tooth, you’ll probably want a more durable material and be less worried about the color of your crown than if it was for a prominent tooth at the front of your mouth. 

No matter which type of material you prefer, our dental team can help you choose the best dental crown material in Rockville to suit your lifestyle. 

What do I do if I think I need crowns for teeth?

Do you experience a sharp pain in one of your teeth every time you eat? Did one of your teeth break recently? Have you recently had root canal treatment? These might be signs that you need a tooth crown. 

If you suspect that your smile could benefit from crowns for teeth, the best thing to do is contact your Rockville, MD, dentist right away to schedule a dental appointment.

Remember: we only have one set of adult teeth! So if you need a dental crown in Shady Grove to prevent catastrophic fracture and extend the lifespan of your tooth, call (301) 963-0800 to schedule an appointment today! Our dental office is located in the Shady Grove neighborhood of Rockville near North Potomac.