Issues like cavities, chips, and cracks can all compromise the structure of a tooth, leaving it vulnerable to additional injury, progressive decay, and disease. Thankfully, your dentist can protect and preserve its appearance and functionality with a dental crown.
These tooth-shaped caps are made from durable porcelain that can be customized to look just like your natural teeth. However, you might hesitate to undergo this smile-saving procedure if you’re unsure what’s involved. Continue reading to learn more about three things you can expect to happen at your dental crown appointment so you can set your mind at ease!
Step #1: Consultation & Examination
Before fitting you with this type of restoration, your dentist must first verify that you’re a good candidate. They’ll begin by examining your mouth to identify the extent of the damage and assess possible solutions. Depending on the state of your troubled tooth, you might need a root canal to clear away damaged or infected materials first.
If you’re approved to proceed, then your dental team will take X-rays or other scans to get a full picture of your tooth and the surrounding bone.
Step #2: Anesthesia & Impressions
Your provider doesn’t want you to feel uncomfortable for any reason, so before preparing your tooth, they’ll inject a local anesthetic around it to block your mouth’s ability to sense pain. If you’re overly anxious, have a sensitive gag reflex, or struggle to sit still for longer periods, they might also offer an appropriate sedative, like nitrous oxide (laughing gas).
Then, they must remove some of your enamel so that your dental crown fits correctly over your injured tooth. To do so, they shave the material down a little at a time to gently reshape your tooth so it can support your prosthetic. Once that’s complete, they’ll make impressions of your mouth that will be sent to a digital lab to begin creating it.
Step #3: Fittings & Placement
It can take several weeks for your permanent restoration to be delivered, so your dentist will fit you with a temporary crown to wear in the meantime. This short-term solution is intended to shield your tooth until the finished one arrives at your dental office so they can schedule you for a fitting.
If adjustments need to be made for your dental crown to fit correctly, your dentist will note the required changes and send it back to the lab to be completed. Once everything is finalized, they’ll cement your new tooth in place, clear away any excess material, and polish it to a shine!
Now that you know more about what happens at your dental crown appointment, you can see that there is nothing to fear!
About the Author
Dr. Gabrielle Dizon enjoys helping people build and maintain the most beautiful and healthiest version of their smiles. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery from the Baylor College of Dentistry and continues training with the Spear Education Study Club. Today, she offers a wide range of top-quality services to improve your dental condition and appearance, including dental crowns. She combines a gentle approach with state-of-the-art equipment to prioritize patient comfort while delivering accurate, long-lasting treatment results. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (214) 646-6202.