Nobody really enjoys going to the dentist. Getting a crown does involve repeated visits to the dentist, but most of them will be short and painless. Your dentist will recommend a dental crown if you have a tooth that is visibly damaged by decay or chipping, but whose root is still viable. A crown is basically a cap that is fitted over the damaged tooth to protect it.
Caps can be made out of materials such as porcelain, gold, metal alloys, acrylic, and ceramic. They are modeled on the tooth to be capped and shaded to match the rest of your teeth unless you choose gold or metal alloys, of course. This means the cap is indistinguishable from your natural teeth. Here is what you should expect when getting a tooth crown:. The first step in the procedure is to numb the tooth using a local anesthetic. Once the tooth is numb, the dentist and their assistant can start to take impressions and prepare the tooth for the crown.
In order for your crown to fit properly and look natural, the dentist needs to send a model of your whole mouth to the dental laboratory that will manufacture it. To make this model, an impression of your teeth is taken. A horseshoe-shaped rubber tray that will fit over your teeth is filled with an impressionable material like alginate.
This is then pressed firmly onto your teeth, creating an impression, which is then filled with a modeling material. Once this has hardened, the dentist will have a perfect model of your mouth to send to the lab. A smaller impression of just the tooth that needs to be crowned will also be made at this time.
This will be used later to provide you with a temporary crown. The dentist will then record the exact shade of your teeth using a shade guide. This is important if the crown is to be unnoticeable. This is where the process gets a little uncomfortable. In order for the crown to fit properly, the damaged tooth beneath it needs to be reduced. The crown itself is a model of your tooth with a hollow inside which fits over the core of the tooth that is left after it has been reduced. They will also make sure there are no rough or sharp edges around the temporary crown.
Temporary crowns are very important. Because your dentist has removed a substantial amount of tooth structure from the prepared tooth, the temporary crown acts as a barrier, keeping the prepared tooth in its place. Without a temporary crown, the prepared tooth can begin to shift. Any movement from the prepared tooth will prevent the permanent crown from fitting properly. In some cases, the prepared tooth can move so much that the permanent crown simply won't fit over the prepared tooth.
If this happens, the final impression will be taken again and the crown will be sent back to the laboratory to be remade. Temporary crowns also keep a vital tooth protected. If you had a root canal, there will be no feeling in the tooth. Vital teeth are a different case. Most of the enamel is removed from the tooth during the preparation stage, leaving exposed dentin. Without a temporary crown, your tooth would be extremely hypersensitive to temperature and pressure.
A temporary cement that contains eugenol is generally used because of its calming effects on the nerve. It is vital for you to follow the post-operative instructions given to you for wearing a temporary crown.
If the temporary crown does come off your tooth, call your dentist immediately and book an appointment to have it re-cemented. It generally takes the dental laboratory roughly seven to 10 business days to make your permanent crown. Your dentist will ensure you have your cementation appointment scheduled before you leave the office after your tooth preparation appointment.
When you return to the dental office to have your permanent crown cemented, the dentist will begin the appointment by numbing the prepared tooth and surrounding tissues with local anesthetic. Even though the tooth is already prepared, the dentist needs to thoroughly clean the tooth before cementing the permanent crown.
If you had a root canal performed on the prepared tooth, you will likely not require any local anesthetic. Once the prepared tooth is completely numb, your dentist will remove the temporary crown from the tooth.
All of the temporary cement is removed from the tooth, and the tooth is completely dried. Your dentist will then try the permanent crown on the tooth. Using a piece of dental floss, your dentist will also check the contacts in between the crown and adjacent teeth to ensure there is an ideal contact between the teeth. Contacts that are too tight or no contact at all pose a problem for you in the long run.
A contact that is too tight will cause problems for you when you floss your teeth. No contact in between the teeth will allow food to become lodged in between the teeth causing the potential for tooth decay. If the contact is too tight, your dentist will reduce a small amount from the adjacent tooth, not the crown. In cases where there is no contact, it may be necessary for the crown to be sent back to the laboratory to be remade.
When your dentist is satisfied with the fit of the crown, the final cementation process begins. This process involves keeping your tooth completely isolated from any saliva or water in your mouth. Cotton rolls may be placed on both sides of the tooth to keep the area dry. When the tooth is isolated any dried, a desensitizing agent may be applied to the tooth. The desensitizing agent will help with any postoperative tooth sensitivity. Your dentist will then place a bonding material onto the prepared tooth.
Some bonding agents require a curing light to set the material. Your dentist will place the crown on your tooth and remove some of the excess cement that squeezes out from underneath the crown. Depending on the cement chosen, a curing light may be used again to set the cement completely. Floss will be used to remove the excess cement from in between the teeth, and a dental scaler is used to remove excess cement from around the tooth and below the gumline.
Your dentist will wait approximately 10 minutes for the permanent cement to set. When ready, your dentist will then check how your teeth bite together. Any high spots on the crown will be reduced on the opposing tooth.
It is very important to have the bite correct because a high bite can lead to tooth sensitivity and tooth pain. Your new crown was made to withstand the normal forces from biting, chewing, and grinding. However, it is very important to understand that crowns are not indestructible. Once the bite is accurate and your tooth has been cleaned from any excess cement, your dentist will give you very specific post-operative instructions for your new crown.
It is important for you to follow these instructions to the letter. Most specifically, what you eat with your new crown is the biggest change you will make due to your new crown. For example, candy and nuts are very destructive to crowns and should be avoided at all costs.
If after a few days you notice anything unusual with your new dental crown, call your dentist immediately to have the crown examined. It is also imperative for you to continue following a strict oral hygiene regimen that includes brushing , flossing , and professional cleanings for your crowns.
Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Adnan, S. Brush twice daily with a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, and clean between your teeth daily with floss or another interdental device, making sure to reach the area between your crown and surrounding teeth. Crowns, however, are still susceptible to cracking and wear and tear. Avoid biting hard surfaces to prevent cracking, especially with porcelain crowns.
No matter what type of crown you get, be sure to talk to your oral care provider about the process, recovery, and care. A dental crown is a standard and safe procedure that can protect your teeth for years and will restore your smile to its natural and healthy luster. This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics.
It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. Shop Now. Our Mission. Contact Us. United States US English.
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