What is a Milled Crown?

There are three primary methods to fabricate a dental crown. One of the most common methods uses advanced technology, where a computerized milling machine carves the crown from a solid block of material. This process produces what’s called a milled crown, known for its speed and efficiency in same-day crown services.

At Elite Prosthetic Dentistry, we understand the limitations of milled crowns. That’s why we take pride in offering handcrafted crowns, meticulously created by our skilled in-house technician. Unlike machine-milled options, our handcrafted approach ensures a more natural appearance and precise fit, giving you a radiant, durable smile that truly lasts. Learn more about the differences between milled and handcrafted crowns and discover how we can help you achieve a flawless, natural-looking smile.

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.

Our on-site lab is equipped with advanced dental crown milling machines, which allow us to precisely craft custom crowns tailored to each patient’s unique dental structure. This state-of-the-art technology ensures a perfect fit and natural appearance, making the crowns virtually indistinguishable from your natural teeth. For those wondering, what is dental milling?

It’s a highly accurate process that uses a crown mill to shape the crown from a solid block of material. This method not only enhances the durability of the crown but also significantly reduces the time it takes to complete the procedure, allowing for quicker and more efficient treatments.

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.

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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.