How Are the Teeth Prepared for A Dental Crown?
What are Dental Crowns?
A crown is a cap covering the top of a tooth and is made of different materials. Most crowns are made to match the color and style of your natural teeth. A crown can protect a tooth from breaking and hold a root canal filling in place.
Crowns are used for the following purposes:
- To cover back teeth, when there is tooth decay, fractures, or broken down tooth structure
- Cover a tooth that is weak and worn out
- Reshape teeth that are misshapen due to trauma
- Correct uneven teeth
- Cover implants and bridges
What Are Dental Crowns Materials?
The most commonly used dental crowns are made of porcelain or gold. Porcelain is a non-metal dental material that the dental lab uses to make the crowns. Porcelain is more compatible with your tooth than metal, and it doesn’t need to be bonded to the tooth. The gold crowns are made of alloys and are stronger than most crowns. These crowns are often used on the back teeth because they can withstand the biting and chewing pressure.
Porcelain and gold cost almost the same and last longer.
What are the Preparation Steps for Dental Crowns?
Below are the steps the dentist will take when fixing dental crowns in Sault Ste. Marie, ON. He will first numb the gums to prevent pain and discomfort.
- Removing the damage and cleaning
The dentist will remove any decay present before the crowns are fixed. A drill is used in the procedure; it may sound painful, but the local anesthesia will ease the pain. It is crucial to remove any damage present to ensure the crown procedure is successful.
- Preparing the teeth
The dentist will reshape the enamel to create room for the caps. The amount removed depends mainly on the type and thickness of the crown you choose. He will take an impression with a mold or 3D digital scans to create the permanent crowns.
- Temporary crowns
The dentist covers the reshaped teeth with temporary caps to protect against tooth sensitivity. It is vital to protect the temporary crowns to keep them from falling off before the correct time.
- Permanent crowns
Our dentist in Dentist in Sault Ste. Marie, ON, will set the second dental visit three to four weeks after the first one. During this visit, the dentist will fix the permanent crowns with cement. He will polish the teeth and remove excess adhesive to complete the procedure.
What Problems Can Develop After the Crowns Are Fixed?
- The discomfort of sensitivity
A newly crowned tooth may feel slightly uncomfortable as the anesthetic begins to wear off. Often you experience some pain and sensitivity.
You can use tooth-sensitive toothpaste to ease the discomfort. Pain that occurs when you bite down usually means that the crown is too high on the tooth. You need to call the dentist. The dentist will quickly correct the problem.
- Cracked or chipped crown
Over time, crowns made of porcelain may start to chip, even if they seem fine when you first insert them. If you have a large chip, the crown may be replaced.
- Loose crown
The cement holding the crown on a tooth can often wash out with time or in preparation for a root canal; sometimes, the cement gets loose, allowing bacteria to leak into the remaining tooth. If the crowns come loose, visit the dentist near you to ensure it does not become a severe problem.
How Long Does Dental Crowns?
An important thing to remember about dental crowns is that they can last up to 15 years. They can be removed and replaced if needed. There’s a higher chance of the crown cracking or chipping off in the first two years. They are meant to be permanent and protect the tooth from injury. They may help prevent tooth decay or infection. They can also help protect a tooth from shifting when it is not aligned correctly with the jaw.
Schedule an Appointment
Visit Great North Dental for more information about dental crowns and what you can expect during the procedure.