Crowns and bridges that look and feel natural
A crown protects and strengthens a tooth that is cracked, worn, heavily filled or treated with a root canal. A bridge fills the gap left by a missing tooth. At Shady Grove Dental Care, Dr. Shalini Chittamuri, DDS, designs each crown and bridge to match your natural teeth, fit your bite and last for years.
When you might need a crown
Cracked or broken teeth
A crown holds a cracked tooth together and protects it from breaking further.
Large or failing fillings
When a filling covers most of a tooth, a crown restores its strength.
After a root canal
Back teeth treated with a root canal usually need a crown to protect them.
Worn-down teeth
Grinding or erosion can wear teeth down. Crowns rebuild their shape and function.
Dental implants
An implant needs a crown on top. Dr. Chittamuri designs and places implant crowns.
Appearance
Crowns can improve the shape and color of a badly stained or misshapen tooth.
How we make your crown
Exam and planning
Dr. Chittamuri examines the tooth, takes digital X-rays if needed and explains your options and expected cost.
Preparing the tooth
After numbing the area, she gently shapes the tooth so the crown fits securely.
iTero 3D scan
Instead of goopy impression trays, we take a quick, comfortable 3D digital scan of your teeth.
Temporary crown
You leave with a temporary crown that protects your tooth while a dental lab crafts your permanent one.
Final crown
At your second visit, Dr. Chittamuri checks the fit, color and bite, then bonds your permanent crown in place.
Ongoing care
Brush, floss and keep up with checkups. With good care, a crown can last many years.
Real crown results from our Rockville office
Actual patients of Dr. Shalini Chittamuri, shown with iTero 3D scans taken before and after treatment. Drag the slider to compare.
Actual patient results. Each crown is designed from an iTero digital scan, made by a dental lab and placed over two visits. Dental implants are placed by a trusted specialist; Dr. Chittamuri designs and places the final implant crown. Results vary from person to person.
Replacing a missing tooth
Dental bridge
A bridge uses crowns on the teeth beside the gap to hold a natural-looking replacement tooth. It is fixed in place and does not come out.
Implant crown
Our partner specialist places the implant, and Dr. Chittamuri designs and fits the crown. No neighboring teeth need to be reshaped.
Dental implants →Partial denture
A removable option that replaces one or more missing teeth at a lower cost.
Dentures →Not sure which option is right for you? Dr. Chittamuri will walk you through the pros, cons and costs of each so you can decide with confidence.
Insurance and payment
In-network PPO plans
We're in-network with CareFirst BCBS (including FEP BlueDental), Aetna, Cigna, MetLife, Guardian, GEHA, Physicians Mutual, Ameritas, Humana, Reliance Standard Life and Medicare Advantage plans. Many PPO plans cover part of the cost of crowns and bridges. We check your benefits and explain your expected cost before treatment.
Insurance details →Self-pay savings and financing
No insurance? Ask about our self-pay discount. Financing is available through CareCredit, Cherry and HFD, subject to credit approval.
Payment options →Frequently asked questions
Does getting a crown hurt?
The tooth is fully numbed before we begin, so most patients feel only pressure. Some sensitivity for a few days afterward is normal and usually eases quickly.
How many visits does a crown take?
Most crowns take two visits. At the first, we prepare the tooth, take an iTero 3D scan and place a temporary crown. At the second, we fit and bond your permanent crown.
How long do crowns last?
With good brushing, flossing and regular checkups, crowns often last 10 years or longer. Habits like grinding or chewing ice can shorten their life.
Will my crown look natural?
Yes. Dr. Chittamuri chooses tooth-colored materials and matches the shade and shape to your surrounding teeth.
Bridge or implant: which is better?
It depends on your health, the teeth beside the gap and your budget. A bridge is faster and fixed in place. An implant does not affect neighboring teeth. We'll explain both options at your consult.
What should I do if my temporary crown comes off?
Call us at (301) 330-4600. Keep the temporary crown, and avoid chewing on that side until we can recement it.
Book your crown or bridge consult
Shady Grove Dental Care is at 15200 Shady Grove Road, Suite 340, Rockville, MD 20850, just off I-270 with free parking. Hours: Monday 8 AM–8 PM, Tuesday–Thursday 8 AM–4 PM. Se habla español.
New patient? See what to expect at your first visit and pre-fill your forms.
Related care: family and general dentistry, root canal care, dental implants and cosmetic dentistry.
