Has a dental crown restoration been recommended to you and you're wondering what all is involved with this procedure? Read on to see what a typical crown procedure is like.
• Examination and consultation. Before a restorative treatment can be recommended, we must first diagnose your dental issue. The first diagnostic step usually involves taking an X-ray or CT scan of the tooth. We will then make recommendations which may include a dental crown restoration. If you are having a crown placed following root canal therapy, this step will need to be performed before the crown is placed.
• Shaving the tooth. Since a dental crown is several millimeters thick, this same thickness will need to be removed from your tooth enamel. This prevents the restoration from being overly large. For your comfort, a local anesthetic will be applied prior to this step.
• Taking impressions. Now that the tooth has been prepared for its crown restoration, we take impressions of the tooth. These impressions will be used to craft both your temporary and permanent crowns.
• Placing the temporary crown. While a master ceramist is crafting your permanent crown at a dental laboratory, you will wear a temporary crown made of composite resin.
• Tinting your crown. If you are having a porcelain or zirconia crown placed, a ceramic artist will tint your restoration to match the shade of your natural teeth.
• Placing the permanent crown. During this final step, your temporary crown is removed, the tooth is cleaned, and we perform a try-on to ensure the crown fits and looks perfect. If everything is to your liking, we will etch the tooth, apply a bonding cement, and finally place the crown.
Before you leave, the dentist will provide aftercare instructions. Please read and follow these carefully. If you have a question about your crown restoration, please feel free to contact us at any time.
