Dental Fillings and Crowns in Burke, VA

Dental fillings are one of those dental treatments that can crop up during any stage of life. From sugar-seeking kids to seniors with dry mouth and mobility issues, cavities can impact just about anyone. The good news is that cavities are largely preventable, which is always our goal at Burke Dental Center.

Cavity detection is part of your regular checkup appointments. We use diagnostic x-rays and a thorough approach to your exam to identify any areas with decay, which is why your routine visits are so important! It’s easier to treat a small cavity than a big one that has turned into a big problem requiring root canal treatment and a crown.

Tooth Decay Causes and Treatments

We often hear about sugar-related cavities, which are incredibly common. But other foods and drinks like starchy food (even potato chips!) and acidic energy drinks (even when they are sugar-free) can also soften your tooth enamel, leading to dental decay.

The mouth relies on saliva and a healthy pH to keep enamel strong, which is why fluoride in municipal drinking water and fluoridated toothpaste can be your smile’s best friends. Fluoride re-mineralizes teeth, and saliva plays a significant role in keeping your teeth healthy by restoring the natural pH of your mouth.

When decay does occur, a tooth-colored filling can repair your enamel and seal the tooth with minimal impact on your smile. Most people will never notice you’ve had dentistry, thanks to Dr. Khan’s keen artistic ability and commitment to quality dentistry.

A filling is a “direct” restoration, meaning we perform dental filling procedures directly to the tooth in a single visit without needing an outside laboratory.

Sometimes, however, a simple filling is not enough to repair a troubled tooth, so we call on another common dental restoration—the crown.

Dental Crowns to Repair and Stabilize Damaged Teeth

If the dental decay is too extensive, we may need to reinforce your tooth with a dental crown to save it. Unlike a filling, which is similar to a patch, a dental crown envelops the tooth structure to seal and stabilize it.

Dental crowns can also address many other tooth issues.

• Broken or fractured teeth
• Chipped, worn, or shortened teeth
• Teeth that have undergone root canal treatment
• Cosmetic enhancement
• Occlusal disease (to rebuild the bite)

Crowns come in a variety of materials, from full gold to full porcelain to a mix of porcelain and noble metals. Most people prefer something that blends with the smile for a natural appearance. Dr. Khan will discuss your options, the cost, and what will work best for you so you can make an informed choice for your smile.

Dental crowns are “indirect” restorations, meaning we will use a local dental lab to create your final restoration. Don’t worry; we will place a temporary crown to hold you over until your final crown is ready.

Some patients want or need a non-surgical option for full mouth restoration, eliminating dental implants as an option.

Dental crowns are versatile and can repair, reshape, and improve the appearance of severely damaged teeth.

• Large decay
• Broken, chipped or fractured teeth
• Teeth worn down and shortened due to malocclusion (a bad bite) or bruxism
• Discolored teeth
• Teeth with large abfractions (teeth chipped at the gumline)
• Rebuild a stable bite

Additionally, for people with missing teeth, we can use dental bridges, partial dentures, or complete dentures as part of a full mouth reconstruction treatment plan.

Do You Have a Cavity or Damaged Tooth?

Dr. Khan and our entire team are here to repair and save your tooth. Give us a call at (703) 440-5075 to book a dental exam to determine if you need a filling or crown to protect your smile and your health.