A dental crown is a protective cap to restore or beautify a tooth that is:
- cracked, chipped, or broken
- discolored, misshapen, decayed or damaged
- weakened by an injury or cavity
- requires a large filling
- treated for a root canal
- needs stability for a bridge
The materials used to create caps include ceramic, porcelain fused to metal, or metal. A metal crown can be thinner since it is a stronger material. A ceramic crown blends better aesthetically with front teeth. The selected material and cement for your permanent dental crown will be a function of the location and tasks routinely performed by the repaired tooth.
Crowns used to require two visits:
- the first visit to examine, treat and prepare the tooth to be crowned
- the second visit to place the customized crown after it’s been produced a week or two later
Dental offices with the appropriate technology can offer a same-day solution. For example, a CEREC Intra-oral scanner deploys CAD / CAM (computer-assisted design / computer-aided manufacturing) to fabricate a crown within hours. The tool enables precise measurement, design, and printing of customized crowns without the extended wait. This process enables equipped dentists to offer the one-visit crown service.
Whether you receive a 1-visit or 2-visit crown, each service has similar first steps:
- careful examination, including x-ray, to evaluate teeth and surrounding gum tissue that need treatment
- local anesthesia applied into your gum to numb pain. Most are conscious sedation; some are general anesthesia due to anxiety
- repair or removal of damaged tooth or surrounding tissue
- thorough cleaning of affected area, including empty space to avoid infection
- filling of any empty space
- file of tooth surface to make room for the crown and to assure a properly aligned bite
The tooth filing is a few millimeters to create a more uniform surface and sufficient space to place the dental crown. Gum tissue may or may not need laser treatment. The dentist will scan and measure the prepped tooth and mouth. The resultant measurement or impression will create the crown that will be forthcoming in hours or weeks.
For the 2-visit treatment, you will need a temporary crown to cover your teeth until the permanent crown is ready in a few weeks. The temporary crown is not as durable. Patients will have to floss carefully and avoid sticky or hard foods while waiting two weeks (or so) for the permanent crown. A dislodged crown is the type of emergency that should prompt an immediate call to your dentist.
The CEREC crown is crafted within hours. The dental lab technician will design and mill your crown in less than a half-hour. Then x-rays will be used to assure the crown fits or whether additional milling is needed. Once the fit is right, the crown is heated, glazed, then cooled in preparation for placement.
A bonding cement that also desensitizes is applied, adhering the crown to the tooth. Ultraviolet light cures and cleans any excess cement.
Once the local anesthetic wears off, the procedure is finished. You are free to go home.
Most patients report little to no after-effects following a dental crown procedure. For those with pain or discomfort, over-the-counter pain medicine could be used to manage pain. For more severe pain or issues that linger for more than a week, be sure to follow up with your dentist.
Good oral health is fundamental to overall health since most people eat or talk daily. A dental crown is a solution for many oral afflictions. If you have additional concerns, visit your dentist. If you would like us to assess your situation, Briarcliff Dental Care can be reached at 914-941-1639 for any questions.