Do you need a dental crown? Don’t worry; we are here to save the day by going over everything that will happen at your upcoming dental crown appointment.

Everyone wants to flash their million-dollar smile when laughing with their mouth open. Broken, misaligned, decayed, injured, or discolored teeth are the only things preventing them from doing so. Though having imperfect teeth is natural, it bothers some people and limits their ability to appear confident and self-assured. The good news is that dental crowns save the day for you and are one of the most common soothing dental treatments.

So, let’s look at a dental crown and what you can expect at your next dentist appointment.

What are Dental Crowns?

Dental crowns are “caps” placed on the top of teeth to help protect and preserve them from further damage. Covering the decayed tooth area is critical because the infection can spread to neighboring teeth. However, dental crowns eliminate this concern.

Any tooth that is weakened mainly because of root canal treatment needs a crown to prevent it from fracturing. Covering an implant or replacing an old huge filling, are two other causes.

Dental Crowns instantly improve your teeth’s shape, size, color, and appearance. If your dentist confirms that you require a dental crown procedure, continue reading to learn everything about dental crowns.

What are Dental Crowns Made off?

There are various types of crowns; all serve the same purpose but are made of multiple materials, including the following:

1- Metal

Metal is used to make one of the most durable dental crowns. The best metal crown is Gold. For a gold crown, you need to do less tooth reduction because gold can be made very thin. If proper care is taken. The only disadvantage is the color.

2- All Ceramic

Porcelain crowns, one of the best options for dental crowns, look almost like natural teeth and can be made to match the color and appearance of your neighboring teeth.

3- Porcelain-infused-to-metal

Porcelain-infused-to-metal crowns have a metal underlay and porcelain on top. They match the color and appearance of your other teeth and appear very natural.

4- CAD/CAM CROWNS

These are made of ceramic or zirconia by using digital scanning and CAD/CAM technology and can be made in one day so patients don’t have to wait and come back again to have them placed.

A Dental Crown Procedure

Let’s look at what you should expect once your dental crown procedure begins.

Dental crown installation can usually be completed in a single or multiple days. However, it depends on how bad your tooth is and how much time it will take to install a dental crown properly.

Same-Day Dental Crown Installation

Examination

Your dentist will examine your mouth, teeth, and gums once you are in the chair. They will ensure that the crowns benefit your oral health and do not harm your roots. X-rays will be taken of the tooth that requires a crown and the surrounding area.

Anesthesia

Following that, you will be given local anesthesia to numb the gums so that you do not experience discomfort or pain during the dental crown installation.

If you do not want to be sedated, you can choose conscious sedation, which will keep you awake but drowsy.

Since it heightens their senses, most people experience severe anxiety during this process. To combat this, it is recommended that you get a good night’s sleep before the day of the procedure.

Cleaning

Your tooth will be cleaned, filed, and shaved down by your dentist. The tooth is filed down on the top and sides to make room for the crown. If most of your tooth is missing, your dentist will place filling material on it to provide a solid foundation for the crown.

Scanning

It is now time for impressions or digital scanning. Your dentist will scan your tooth and create a three-dimensional model using computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM). They will perform digital scans and upload them to the equipment.

The crown designing will then be done by the software.

Cementation

Finally, your dentist will apply a cement-like material to the crown and your tooth. Then the crown will be placed on top of your teeth to ensure that it fits properly and does not interfere with your bite. Adjustments will be done if needed.

Multiple Day Dental Crown Installation

Tooth Impressions

Your dentist will take impressions or a digital scan after examining your mouth, conducting X-rays, and prepping your teeth. The crown will then be sent to the lab for manufacturing by dental technicians.

Temporary Dental Crowns

Your tooth cannot be left open while the crowns are being prepared. As a result, you will receive temporary dental crowns. Your dentist will place it on your tooth, fix it, and send you home.

Permanent Crown Installation

Your second appointment will usually be scheduled one or two weeks after the temporary crown has been installed.

Your dentist will take out the temporary crown and fill the crown with oral cement. They will carefully place the crown on top of your tooth and scrape away any excess cement. Your dental crown is then successfully installed.

Take Care of Your Crown

Crowns do not require special care, but you will have to be more cautious now that they have been installed.

Follow these tips to care for crowns properly:

1. Brush twice a day and floss once a day to maintain good oral hygiene.
2. Avoid chewing on hard foods like candy and dried fruits.
3. Avoid using your crowns as tools to open bottles and other hard things

Parting Thoughts

Before getting a dental crown or any other procedure, you should always consult your dentist. If you have decayed, injured, or broken teeth, crowns are the best option. Your dentist will only advise you to go for it if they believe it will benefit you and your oral health. So, talk to your dentist about which type of crown you should get and whether it should be a one-day or multi-day procedure.

Anderson Lake Dental Clinic is a well-known clinic that provides high-quality dental care. We have a skilled team of dentists ready to improve your smile. So make a dental crown appointment today and get your teeth checked by professionals.

Schedule An Appointment!