Dental Crown Procedure

Dayton Dental crowns are a very common permanent, prosthetic procedure. If you have a tooth that fractured or has extensive decay, a crown may be the best treatment option. Crowns are also used to restore a tooth after root canal therapy.  Dental crowns are usually considered medically necessary so if you have dental insurance, they will probably help absorb some of the cost of your treatment. Below, we will discuss the procedure involved in having a dental crown placed.

First things first, your Dentist will apply a topical numbing agent before administering a local anesthetic so that you are numb and do not feel anything during the procedure. Once you are numb, your Dentist will remove any decay in the tooth and prepare the tooth to receive a crown by taking off a bit on enamel on each surface of the tooth to allow room for the crown to slip over the tooth and fit snugly against all surfaces.

Some offices have the tools and technology to fabricate your crown in the office. If this is the case for your Dentist, they will scan the tooth and mill it right there in the office and you will be able to leave that same day with your permanent crown. If your office uses a dental lab to fabricate cases, your Dentist will take an impression of your teeth and send it off to the lab. At this appointment, you will leave with a temporary crown and come back a couple of weeks later to have your permanent crown set once it is back from the lab.

You will be ok to eat after your crown placement even if the anesthetic has not worn off. You will just want to be careful about that you do not bite your tongue or cheek so softer foods are best. The anesthetic will wear off in a couple of hours for most people.

Your Dentist will help you determine what material will be best for your crown to be made from. Most patients like porcelain or ceramic since they can be tinted to match your teeth and are virtually undetectable when you smile. Gold and base metals are a stronger option but they cannot be tinted to match your teeth so are best kept to the posterior teeth. There is another option that gives you the best of both, porcelain fused to metal. With the strength and durability of metal and the aesthetic benefits of porcelain, this could be your best bet.

Allow a few days for your tooth to calm down and to get used to your new tooth. After your anesthetic wears off, your bite will feel a little funny but after you have lived with it for a couple of days, you will be able to tell if you need any adjustments. If you feel that you do, call your doctor and pop in for a quick visit to get your bite just right!

Be sure you maintain regular visits to your dentist and keep up a good home care routine so that you are able to keep your new crown as long as possible!

More on Dental Crowns : What are the Types of Dental Crowns?