Whether you've been recommended one due to a weakened tooth, significant decay, or for aesthetic reasons, understanding the procedure can help you navigate the process with confidence. Here's a comprehensive look at the steps involved in getting a dental crown.
1. Initial Consultation
The journey starts with an initial consultation. Your dentist will assess the health of your tooth, take X-rays, and discuss a few reasons for needing a crown. This visit is crucial to determine whether the tooth structure can support a crown or if additional dental work, like a root canal, is needed beforehand.
2. Tooth Preparation
Once it's confirmed that a crown is suitable, the tooth in question needs preparation. This involves shaving down the tooth to make room for the crown. The amount of tooth reduction depends on the crown type – for instance, metal crowns might require less reduction than porcelain ones.
During this process, your dentist will administer local anesthesia to numb the tooth and surrounding gums, ensuring you're comfortable and pain-free. After reshaping, an impression of the tooth is taken, which acts as a blueprint for the dental laboratory crafting your crown.
3. Choosing the Right Material
There are various materials available for crowns, including porcelain, ceramic, resin, metal alloys, and even gold. The choice depends on the tooth's location, aesthetic preferences, the amount of natural tooth remaining, and budget considerations.
Front teeth, for example, often receive porcelain or ceramic crowns for a natural look, while back teeth might get metal crowns due to their durability.
4. Temporary Crown Placement
Creating a permanent crown can take a few weeks. In the meantime, to protect the prepared tooth and maintain functionality, a temporary crown is placed. This crown, usually made of acrylic or stainless steel, is not as sturdy as the permanent one, so care is required when eating and cleaning.
5. Creating the Permanent Crown
Once the impression is sent to the dental lab, technicians craft the crown, ensuring its shape, size, and color match your natural teeth. Modern technology, such as CAD/CAM systems, can sometimes expedite this process, allowing crowns to be fabricated on the same day at some dental offices.
6. Crown Placement
On your next visit, the dentist will remove the temporary crown and fit the permanent one, checking for proper fit and bite alignment. Once everything looks and feels right, the crown is cemented onto the prepared tooth.
7. Aftercare and Follow-up
After the procedure, you might experience some sensitivity or mild discomfort, which usually subsides in a few days. Good oral hygiene practices, like regular brushing and flossing, are vital to maintaining the crown and surrounding gums. Regular dental check-ups will also ensure the crown remains in prime condition.
For more information about dental crowns, reach out to a local clinic.
Share16 August 2023
Toddlers should see a dentist for the first time by the age of twelve months or by the time their first tooth comes in. But if you are a parent with toddlers anything like mine, the prospect of going to the dentist (let alone anywhere!) can be pretty intimidating. My kids were a handful growing up. They had tantrums any time we would have to sit in a waiting room, and they refused to get in the dentist's chair during their first few visits. So, I had to employ a professional to help me make the transition to finally getting them in that dental chair without all the screaming and crying. I know I'm not the only parent in this situation, so I decided to share the information I've learned with others who can use a little help. You can find all my advice right here on these pages!