Dental Crowns

A cracked, worn, or heavily filled tooth can make every bite feel uncertain. A dental crown protects that tooth, restores its strength and shape, and gives it a natural, attractive appearance, so you can chew comfortably and smile with confidence again.

At Gainesville Dental Associates, we craft custom crowns that fit precisely, match your smile, and are built to last. We serve patients throughout Gainesville, Haymarket, Bristow, Manassas, Warrenton, and Nokesville. Call (703) 884-2148 to schedule your appointment.

What Is a Dental Crown?

A dental crown, often called a cap, is a custom-made restoration that covers the entire visible portion of a tooth above the gum line. It becomes the tooth’s new outer surface, holding the remaining tooth structure together, protecting it from further damage, and restoring its natural shape, size, and function. Crowns are made in a dental lab from a precise model of your tooth, so they fit your bite and move naturally with your jaw.

When Do You Need a Crown?

Your dentist may recommend a crown to:

Protect a cracked or weakened tooth from breaking further
Restore a broken or badly worn tooth, including teeth worn down by grinding
Replace a large or failing filling when there is not enough healthy tooth left to support another filling
Strengthen a tooth after a root canal, especially a back tooth that handles heavy chewing
Cover a dental implant to complete a natural-looking tooth replacement
Anchor a dental bridge that replaces one or more missing teeth
Improve the look of a misshapen or severely discolored tooth when other cosmetic options will not hold up

Benefits of Dental Crowns

Save your natural tooth. A crown can often prevent the need for an extraction by protecting a damaged tooth.
Chew with confidence. Crowns restore full biting strength so you can enjoy your favorite foods again.
Natural-looking results. Modern porcelain and zirconia crowns mimic the color and translucency of natural enamel.
Long-lasting protection. With proper care, crowns commonly last 10 to 15 years or more.
Relief from sensitivity. Covering a cracked or worn tooth can reduce sensitivity to hot, cold, and pressure.
A better bite. Crowns are shaped to fit your bite, helping balance chewing forces across your teeth.

Types of Dental Crowns

All-Porcelain and Ceramic Crowns

All-ceramic crowns offer the most lifelike appearance, with a natural translucency that blends with surrounding teeth. They are an excellent choice for front teeth and visible areas of your smile, and they are metal free.

Zirconia Crowns

Zirconia is an extremely strong, tooth-colored ceramic that resists chipping and cracking. It is ideal for back teeth that take heavy chewing forces and for patients who grind their teeth, while still looking natural.

Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns

These crowns combine a metal base for strength with a porcelain outer layer for a natural appearance. They have a long track record and work well for both front and back teeth.

Gold and Metal Alloy Crowns

Gold and other metal crowns are very durable and require less removal of natural tooth structure. Because of their color, they are typically used on back molars where they are not visible.

Your dentist will recommend the best material based on the tooth’s location, your bite, your cosmetic goals, and your budget.

Crowns vs. Fillings, Bonding, and Veneers

Fillings repair small to moderate cavities. When a cavity or old filling takes up too much of the tooth, a crown provides better long-term protection.
Dental bonding quickly repairs small chips and gaps, but it is not strong enough to rebuild a badly damaged tooth.
Porcelain veneers cover only the front of the tooth and are best for improving the appearance of healthy teeth.
Crowns cover the entire tooth, making them the strongest choice for teeth that are cracked, weakened, or heavily restored.

If a tooth is too damaged to support a crown, it may need an extraction, followed by an implant or bridge to replace it.

The Dental Crown Process

Exam and planning. We examine the tooth and use digital X-rays and 3D imaging when needed to check the root and surrounding bone. If the nerve is infected, we may recommend a root canal or endodontic treatment
Preparing the tooth. After numbing the area, we remove any decay and gently reshape the tooth so the crown fits securely and looks natural.
Impressions and shade matching. We take precise impressions of your tooth and bite and select a shade that blends with your smile. A skilled dental lab uses these to craft your crown.
Temporary crown. You leave with a temporary crown that protects your tooth while your permanent crown is made.
Final placement. In about two to three weeks, we remove the temporary, check the fit, color, and bite of your new crown, and permanently cement it in place.

Planning to whiten your teeth? Crowns do not change color with whitening, so we recommend professional teeth whitening before your crown is made. We can then match your crown to your brighter smile.

Caring for Your Crown

Brush twice a day with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, paying extra attention to the gum line around the crown.
Floss daily to prevent decay at the edge of the crown and protect against gum disease.
Avoid chewing ice, hard candy, and pens, and do not use your teeth as tools.
Ask about a night guard if you grind or clench your teeth.
Avoid very sticky foods while you have a temporary crown.
Keep up with regular cleanings and checkups so we can check your crown and the tooth underneath it.

If your crown feels loose, cracks, or comes off, keep it safe and call us. Our emergency dental team can recement or replace it promptly.

How Much Does a Dental Crown Cost?

The cost of a crown depends on the material, the tooth being treated, and whether you need a root canal or other treatment first. When a crown is needed to restore a damaged tooth, dental insurance often covers part of the cost. We provide a clear estimate before treatment and offer flexible financing options, including CareCredit, to fit your budget.

Meet Your Restorative Dental Team

Gainesville Dental Associates is led by owner and lead dentist Dr. Theo Batistas, supported by a team of experienced general dentists and specialists. Our dentists and specialists focus on saving natural teeth whenever possible, with restorations designed to look natural and last. Meet our team to learn more about the people who will care for you.

Visit Our Gainesville Dental Office

Gainesville Dental Associates

7521 Virginia Oaks Drive, Suite 230, Gainesville, VA 20155

Office hours

Monday to Thursday: 7:00am to 8:00pm
Friday: 7:00am to 5:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am to 2:00pm
Sunday: Closed

Early-morning, evening, and Saturday appointments make it easy to fit crown visits into your schedule. Get directions to our office, and save time at your first visit by completing your new patient forms online.

Dental Crown FAQs

How long do dental crowns last?

Dental crowns commonly last 10 to 15 years, and many last much longer with good care. Brushing and flossing daily, avoiding chewing very hard objects, wearing a night guard if you grind your teeth, and keeping up with regular checkups all help your crown last.

Does getting a crown hurt?

Getting a crown should not be painful. We numb the tooth completely before we begin, and most patients feel only pressure during the procedure. Mild gum tenderness or temperature sensitivity afterward usually fades within a few days.

How many visits does a crown take?

A crown usually takes two visits about two to three weeks apart. At the first visit, we prepare the tooth, take impressions, and place a temporary crown. At the second visit, we check the fit and color of your custom crown and permanently cement it.

Do I need a crown after a root canal?

Back teeth almost always need a crown after a root canal because the treated tooth becomes more brittle and is at higher risk of cracking under chewing pressure. Front teeth sometimes can be restored with a filling instead. Your dentist will recommend the best option for your tooth.

Will my crown look natural?

Yes. Porcelain and zirconia crowns are custom shaded and shaped to match your neighboring teeth, so most people will not be able to tell which tooth has been crowned.

Does dental insurance cover crowns?

Many dental insurance plans cover a portion of the cost when a crown is needed to restore a damaged or weakened tooth. Crowns placed purely for cosmetic reasons are less likely to be covered. We will review your benefits and explain your cost before treatment.

What is the difference between a crown and a veneer?

A crown covers the entire tooth and is designed to strengthen and protect a tooth that is damaged or weak. A veneer covers only the front surface and is mainly used to improve the appearance of healthy teeth.

Protect Your Tooth With a Custom Crown

Do not wait for a cracked or weak tooth to break. Call Gainesville Dental Associates at (703) 884-2148 or request an appointment online to find out if a dental crown is right for you. See what patients say about their experience in our patient testimonials.