Extra Smile Family Dentistry in Washington, Washington, DC provides porcelain, zirconia, and same-day CEREC crowns alongside precision-fitted dental bridges. Whether you need one tooth protected or a gap replaced, our restorative team delivers results that look, feel, and function like natural teeth.
Protect a cracked, decayed, or post-root-canal tooth with a custom-fit dental crown.
📞 Crown ConsultReplace one or more missing teeth with a fixed dental bridge anchored to adjacent teeth.
📞 Bridge Consult
A dental crown is a full-coverage restoration that caps the entire visible portion of a tooth above the gumline. Crowns are indicated for teeth that have been structurally compromised by large cavities, cracks or fractures, root canal treatment, or severe wear. By encasing the tooth completely, a crown distributes biting forces evenly across its surface rather than concentrating stress at the margins of a large filling, dramatically reducing the risk of the tooth fracturing in the future. A well-made crown is indistinguishable from a natural tooth in appearance and restores full function without restriction.
A dental bridge solves a different problem: the permanent replacement of one or more missing teeth. A traditional fixed bridge uses the teeth on either side of the gap as anchors, called abutment teeth, which are prepared to receive crowns. A prosthetic tooth, called a pontic, is fused between the two crowns to fill the empty space. The entire restoration is cemented in place and functions as a fixed, non-removable replacement that patients clean like natural teeth, moving floss under the bridge with a floss threader or water flosser.
At Extra Smile Family Dentistry in Washington, we work with a high-quality dental laboratory for our porcelain and zirconia restorations, and we also offer same-day CEREC crown technology for patients who cannot manage two appointments or simply prefer to have the crown completed in a single visit. Digital impressions have replaced the traditional tray-and-paste process for all crown work at our practice, resulting in more accurate restorations and a more comfortable experience for patients who previously found impressions unpleasant. We discuss material options at the consultation appointment so you can choose the restoration that best balances aesthetics, strength, and budget for your specific situation.
Porcelain fused to a metal substructure. Highly aesthetic for front teeth with strong underlying support. The most widely used crown material for decades.
Monolithic zirconia offers exceptional fracture resistance with modern aesthetics. The preferred choice for back teeth that bear heavy chewing forces and for patients who grind.
Lithium disilicate all-ceramic crown with outstanding optical properties. Best aesthetic choice for visible front teeth where translucency and color depth are the priority.
Computer-milled zirconia or ceramic crown fabricated chairside in a single appointment using an in-office milling machine and digital impression scan. No temporaries, no second visit.
Custom-shaded porcelain crown fabricated by our lab ceramist to blend with your surrounding teeth. The industry standard for visible tooth restorations where aesthetics and function must both be achieved. Two appointments, two to three week turnaround.
Maximum-strength full-zirconia crown for back teeth, patients who grind, or anywhere that durability is the top priority. Modern zirconia is available in layered versions for excellent aesthetics alongside its unmatched strength properties, lasting reliably under heavy occlusal load.
A fixed three-unit bridge replaces a single missing tooth by anchoring to the teeth on either side of the gap. The adjacent teeth are prepared and crowned, with the prosthetic tooth fused between them. Cemented permanently, it restores chewing function and prevents the remaining teeth from drifting into the space.
The strongest single-tooth replacement option. A titanium implant post integrates with the jawbone and supports a custom crown on top. Unlike a bridge, no adjacent teeth are prepared, the bone beneath the restoration is preserved, and the restoration can last a lifetime with proper care.
For patients who cannot take time off for two appointments or want the convenience of completing their crown in one visit, our CEREC system scans your prepared tooth digitally, designs the crown with CAD software, and mills it chairside in under an hour. No temporary crown, no second appointment, no waiting.
Older crowns that are worn, stained at the margins, cracked, or simply outdated in appearance can be removed and replaced with modern materials and improved fit. We evaluate the underlying tooth at crown removal and provide an honest assessment of any additional work the tooth may need before the replacement is fabricated.
X-ray and clinical exam confirm the tooth's condition, material recommendation, and whether an existing filling or nerve issue needs addressing before the crown is placed.
The outer layer of the tooth is reduced evenly to make room for the crown. A digital scan replaces traditional impressions. A temporary crown is placed if lab fabrication is needed.
Your digital scan is sent to the lab or milled chairside (CEREC). The ceramist fabricates your permanent crown with precise color match and anatomy. Two-to-three weeks for lab crowns.
The finished crown is tried in, margins and bite are verified, and it is permanently cemented. A final polish completes the restoration and you leave with a fully functional tooth.
"I needed a crown on a back molar that had cracked. I used the CEREC same-day option because I could not take two separate mornings off work. The technology is genuinely impressive. From the digital scan to the finished milled crown took about forty-five minutes. The crown fit perfectly, the bite was checked and adjusted on the spot, and I left with a permanent crown the same day. No temporaries, no second visit, no inconvenience."
"I had been missing a lower molar for almost two years after an extraction. My dentist at Extra Smile Family Dentistry in Washington recommended a three-unit bridge. The preparation appointments were straightforward and the temporary bridge looked completely normal. When the permanent bridge came back from the lab and was cemented, the fit, shade match, and comfort were all excellent. I can eat normally, clean it with a water flosser, and it looks like I never lost that tooth. Exceptional work."
"I had two older crowns that were over fifteen years old and had dark lines appearing at the gum margins. I came to Extra Smile Family Dentistry in Washington for replacements and was thrilled with the result. The new zirconia crowns are so natural-looking that even I have a hard time identifying which teeth they are in photos. The digital impression process was completely comfortable, no gagging, and the new crowns fit better than the originals. I wish I had replaced them sooner."
Same-day CEREC, lab-crafted porcelain, and zirconia options at Extra Smile Family Dentistry in Washington, Washington, DC. Call to schedule your consultation.
📞 Call +1-866-227-2801
