When a cracked or damaged tooth is affecting your confidence, you need to find ways to do something about it. While other dental cosmetic procedures may help resolve your concern, a dental crown offers a unique solution to treat it.
What is a dental crown?
A crown is a tooth-shaped cap meant to cover a decayed or damaged tooth. Dentists use it to restore the tooth and shield it against further damage. It’s also useful for concealing any abrasion or discoloration.
How is the dental crown procedure done?
1. Numbing the area
The dentist uses a local anesthetic to desensitize the patient’s tooth as well as the surrounding area. This ensures that the patient is relaxed during the dental procedure.
2. Getting your tooth’s impression
The dental laboratory needs to get an accurate model of your mandibular and maxillary arch teeth to fabricate your tooth crowns. The dental assistant will get alginate impressions of both your lower and upper dental arches. Next, he will pour the impressions in a mould to create a replica of your teeth. The dentist’s assistant will soon send the impressions to the dental laboratory to create the porcelain crown.
Once the impression is complete, the dentist will use a dental shade guide that matches your teeth’s natural color. However, if the dental crown procedure is for one of your front teeth, a custom shade of the surrounding teeth is needed. Your dentist may request you to visit the dental laboratory to have this made.
3. Slowly prepare the tooth.
A dental crown covers the entirety of the tooth, with a hollow space inside that acts as a cap. To ensure that the finished crown snugly fits the tooth, the dentist will reduce the remaining core underneath the crown. This will securely mount the dental tooth crown to the tooth. Thus, keeping the bacteria away from the sensitive tooth structure. He will continue to reduce the biting surface until the right amount of tooth and filling is left.
4. Taking the final tooth impression
Even the most uncomplicated flaws in the impression are able to profoundly affect the fit of the crown. That’s why it’s essential to get accurate impressions of your tooth to prepare it for the dental crown procedure.
Once the tooth is ready, the dentist will take the impression by applying a polyvinyl siloxane impression material around it. Once the material has set, the dentist will remove the tray from your mouth. He will then check the impression for any air bubbles or any misshapen area. Bear in mind that it may take a few times to get a very accurate impression.
5. Forming a temporary crown
The dentist places a temporary dental crown to act as a barrier while waiting for the permanent crown to complete. It’ll also help shield your tooth from hypersensitivity to pressure and temperature.
7. Placing the permanent crown
It typically takes between seven to ten business days to fabricate your permanent crown. Once you return to the clinic, the dentist will apply a local anesthetic to numb the prepared tooth and the surrounding tissues. Although the dentist has already prepared the tooth beforehand, he still needs to sterilize it before completing the dental crown procedure.
8. Securing it in place
There will still be a few minor adjustments to ensure that the new crown snugly fits the tooth. The dentist has to wait for ten minutes for the permanent cement to harden. Once it’s ready, the dentist who specializes in a dental crown in London, Ontario will check your bite to see the results. It’s essential to have the correct bite to prevent any tooth pain or tooth sensitivity.
Although your newly- installed crown is able to withstand normal forces from regular usage, it’s still vital to know that it’s not indestructible. It’s always best to visit your dentist regularly to ensure that your overall oral health is at its prime condition.
