It may be a cavity, root canal, or some other problem, but it is almost
inevitable that you will need to see a dentist at some point in your
life. Getting a crown is an involved process but it really is the best
way to protect a compromised tooth.
Maybe you have just broken a tooth while eating dinner or have just been
informed that your tooth is too fractured to save and you will need a
crown. For the most part a dentist can fix a tooth ache or cavity
relatively easily with a simple filling or preventative care. But,
sometimes a tooth maybe so compromised that extra protection is
necessary. When your tooth breaks or is weakened by a fracture, the
tooth’s nerve or pulp area may be exposed. This exposure can often lead
to an infection it may be necessary for a crown. A crown is a great
choice for preserving the smile and the overall function of your set of
teeth. This type of procedure has a long tradition in dentistry and is
relied upon as it is one of the most effective ways to save a tooth.
A crown will completely cover the affected tooth whereby making it
viable once again. A crown can be made from a few different kinds of
materials. Porcelain or metal are the typical choices. Both options
offer a long term solution to a tooth that cannot be repaired
Before the crown can be put on, however, there are a few steps that need
to take place in order for it to fit properly. Customarily, this
process will typically take a couple of visits to the dentist. This type
of restorative procedure can seem tedious, but well worth the time to
preserve the overall health and function of the mouth. Naturally, in
order to make certain that it is a painless procedure; the patient will
receive a local anesthesia to numb the tooth and surrounding gum area.
During the first appointment, one which takes approximately an hour, the
tooth needs to be reduced in size and tapered in order for the crown to
fit. The tooth will be reduced by approximately one or two millimeters
so that the crown will easily encircle the tooth completely leaving no
chance for the underlying tissue to be compromised. The tooth also needs
to be tapered in order to provide the most structure for the crown to
rest on. The damaged or decayed part will also need to be removed. Then,
the dentist will need to make a dental impression of the reduced tooth
in order to construct the final crown. A temporary crown, made of
plastic or a thin metal will be placed upon the affected tooth while the
permanent crown is custom made at a laboratory. Typically a lab will
take about 2-3 weeks to make the crown.
At the second appointment, the custom crown can be fitted. First the
temporary piece will be removed. Then the area will be cleaned and
prepped. Once that is complete the dentist will place the permanent
crown on and bond it with dental cement. If everything fits properly,
this process can take about 30 minutes. Occasionally, the fit will need
adjustment to ensure a proper bite, or the color if it is porcelain will
need adjustment to match the existing teeth.
