Will Crowns Make My Teeth Look Bulky?

In the old days of dentistry, restorations like fillings or crowns were oversized and hard to hide, even in the back of your mouth. Today’s options are sleeker, smoother, and fit better in your mouth, blending in instead of standing out.

At the practice of Dr. Padmaja Yalamanchili in Fairfax, Virginia, Dr. Yalamanchili provides dental crowns that not only fix a damaged smile, but keep it looking natural, too. Here’s what she wants you to know.

When you might need a dental crown

There are a lot of reasons you might need a dental crown, including: 

• Large cavities that damage the structure of the tooth
• A deep chip or crack that threatens the stability of a tooth
• Root canal surgery that leaves a hole in your tooth
• Dental bridgework that needs something to connect to
• Dental implant surgery that needs a restoration

Basically, a crown covers the entire part of your tooth that shows above the gumline. Any damage to that part of your tooth can often be resolved with a crown. Crowns are also used on abutment (adjacent) teeth to allow a bridge to be attached and held in place. Finally, crowns are used on top of dental implants to replace a missing tooth.

Metal crowns catch the light — and the eye

The reason why people assume a crown might be “bulky” usually has to do with the kind of crown placed. A lot of dental restorative work used to be (and still is) done with “noble” metals, primarily gold alloys (gold mixed with cheaper metals like silver and copper, and harder materials, like platinum and palladium.)

Even the best-made metal crowns designed to fit perfectly in your mouth can look bulky because of their shine. The reflective nature of metal makes one or more crowns really stand out. If your dentist isn’t skilled, you can also end up with a badly fitted crown that is uneven or crooked.

Natural-looking crowns for a natural-looking smile

Dr. Yalamanchili has your crown custom-fabricated out of a material that looks, feels, and functions just like your original teeth. She also removes a thin layer of enamel from the part of your tooth the crown fits over, so the crown lines up evenly with your other teeth on all sides.

If you’re worried about crowns making your smile look bulky, don’t! Your new crown will blend perfectly with the rest of your smile, and no one will ever even know it’s there.

Interested in learning more about dental crowns and how they can improve your smile? Call us today at 703-213-5312, or book a consultation online.