Once you receive your permanent dental crown, you’ll be able to rest easy knowing your damaged tooth is protected by a quality restoration. That said, maybe your upcoming appointment is still weighing on your mind. Learning more about the treatment process can help ease your nerves by giving you a sense of what to expect, and fortunately, that’s exactly what this post aims to do! Simply keep reading.
Examination and Dental Impressions
Your dentist has to get a feel for the situation too, except in their case, what they’re looking for is the state of your mouth. Before starting anything else, your dentist will examine your teeth with a visual check and X-rays to make sure they fully understand your circumstances. Then they’ll take a dental impression so they can custom-craft a crown that will fit comfortably and aesthetically when placed.
Pre-Treatment Preparation
Typically, a little shaving and shaping does need to happen in order to prepare your tooth for its crown. These alterations are often minor and ultimately beneficial for you, as a bulky or rough-textured tooth won’t make a good resting place for a comfortable restoration. Basically, your crown won’t fit as well or last as long if your tooth isn’t tidied up first!
Placing Your Temporary Crown
Your dental impressions and custom crown design will be sent off to a lab for fabrication, which can take up to two weeks. It’s not a good idea to leave your compromised tooth exposed, though, as this could risk further damage. To solve this predicament, your dentist will provide you with a temporary restoration. It won’t be quite as fancy or durable as your permanent crown, but it will keep your vulnerable tooth safe while you wait.
The Final Product
Once your customized crown finally arrives, you’ll return to your dentist to have it placed. This is perhaps the simplest part of the whole process. Your dentist will apply a special cement to the inside of the crown, carefully fit it overtop of your tooth, then wipe away any excess cement. It might take a few minutes for the cement to cure, but that’s the last thing you’ll have to wait for before leaving your dentist’s office with a quality restoration!
Overall, the dental crown treatment process is minimally invasive and minimally uncomfortable. Local anesthesia will keep you comfortably numb while your dentist works; even if you’re especially anxious, many practices offer sedation dentistry to help ensure you have a positive experience. The worst part will likely be just waiting to have your smile restored by a pristine crown!
About the Author
Dr. Les Latner earned his degree from the Washington University School of Dental Medicine in St. Louis. He’s one of less than 10 dentists who have both accreditation in the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and a mastership in the Academy of General Dentistry. That basically means he’s well-qualified to provide you with exceptional care and an outstanding dental crown! To contact his office, call 310-477-1081.