Posted in Dental Crowns
Posted on December, 18 2019 by Dr Gerald M. Marlin, DMD, MSDWhat is a Milled Crown?
There are three different ways to fabricate a dental crown. One of these methods involves a computerized milling machine, which cuts the restoration out of a solid block of material. This produces what is known as a milled crown.
At Elite Prosthetic Dentistry, we know that milled crowns have limitations. That is why our crowns are hand-crafted by our skilled in-house technician. Keep reading to learn about the drawbacks of milled crowns and how our approach can give you a simply radiant, simply natural smile that lasts.
Disadvantages of Milled Crowns
Milled crowns are common in the world of dentistry. However, crowns milled in a CEREC or other CAD/CAM machines are known to have disadvantages compared to those made by hand.
Many of the drawbacks associated with milled crowns are aesthetic ones. Carved from a single material, they lack the individualized, graded internal coloration of your natural teeth. They are also missing the layers of matching enamel porcelain that help hand-crafted crowns blend seamlessly with your smile.
Unfortunately, milled crowns can also have functional limitations. They are often created in a software program using stock images. This approach means that the chosen stock image may not match your unique tooth structure. Milled crowns can also have an imprecise fit if the CAD technician, who is frequently not a highly trained laboratory technician, does not “dial-in” the proper dimensions.
Our Unique Approach to Dental Crowns
We believe that crafting dental crowns is an art and a science. Our in-house laboratory technician is committed to providing the most aesthetic and durable dental crowns for our patients.
This starts with our exclusive three-dimensional shade matching process that replicates the internal colors of your teeth. Then, our technician layers a custom combination of five different enamel porcelains. Finally, he stains your crowns chairside to ensure that they look natural.
Beyond aesthetics, our crowns are made to last. Dr. Marlin ensures that the crowns match his exact specifications. We use special furnaces that are known for creating outstanding all ceramic and porcelain fused to metal or zirconia crowns. Before delivering the crowns to you, we meticulously check each one to ensure a precise fit.
A testament to our work is that patients constantly say that their closest friends and family members cannot tell that they have a new crown. And with proper care, the crowns produced in our on-site lab have lasted for 35 years or more.
Simply Radiant, Simply Natural
Dr. Gerald Marlin is a leading specialist in implant, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry. One of the only prosthodontists with an on-site lab, Dr. Marlin has been voted “Top Dentist” by his peers for more than 20 years in a row in Washingtonian Magazine’s annual “Best Dentist” survey, and is considered the most experienced prosthodontist in the D.C. area.
Discover the Elite Prosthetic Dentistry Difference
All dental crowns are not created equal. We maintain our own private dental lab to offer the precision and aesthetics that your smile deserves. We are one of the only prosthodontic practices with an in-house lab because we don’t believe in asking our patients to sacrifice time or quality.
Call 202-244-2101 today to schedule your initial consultation at Elite Prosthetic Dentistry. We serve patients from Washington D.C., Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Arlington, and nearby areas of Maryland and Virginia as well as those who travel to our practice from out-of-state or out-of-country. Downtown-area patients can easily reach us at the start or end of their workday thanks to our convenient location near the Friendship Heights Metro Station.
Dr. Gerald Marlin is Recognized as One of the Washington D.C. Region’s Leading ‘Problem Solving’ Cosmetic Dentistry and Dental Implant Restoration Specialists. Since the time that he established his practice, Dr. Gerald Marlin has maintained “an unwavering dedication to excellence.” Through this commitment, Dr. Marlin provides his patients with long-lasting (35 years vs the national average of 7-10 years), optimally aesthetic restorations that have virtually no future problems.