Dental Crown Procedure

Dental crowns in des moines ia are used to restore a compromised tooth and ensure its health and integrity. Crowns usually are a medical necessity, though you may have cause for a cosmetic porcelain crown. In this section, we will discuss the process involved with having a dental crown restoration.

Your dentist will administer a local anesthetic so that you will not feel anything while they are working on your tooth. The anesthetic will wear off within a couple of hours of leaving the office.

Crowns can be made of a few different materials. Porcelain and ceramic are generally preferred for their ability to be tinted to match the teeth. Gold or other base metals can be used and are a stronger option but are not able to match the rest of your teeth. You can also have porcelain fused to metal, giving you the best of both worlds. Your dentist will help you determine which material will serve you best.

Your dentist will begin by removing any decay in the tooth. Once the tooth is clear of any caries, they will prepare the tooth to receive the crown by shaving off a very small amount of tooth enamel so that the crown will be able to fit over the tooth. If your dentist has the technology to offer same day crowns, they will fabricate your crown right in the office while you wait. If not, they will take an impression for the dental lab to use to fabricate your crown. There is usually a waiting period of a couple of weeks before your dentist will receive your case back in their office. Your dentist will place a temporary crown to protect the tooth while you wait for your case.

After your new permanent crown is set in your mouth, your dentist will go through a few steps to ensure a proper fit and occlusion. They will have you bite down and gently grind your teeth on articulating paper which will leave a mark on any high spot on your crown that your dentist will smooth down. You will still be numb during the fine tuning so you may find it necessary to return for further adjustments after the anesthetic has worn off completely and you have lived with your crown for a few days.

It will take a few days for your tooth to calm down from the work that was done. It is perfectly normal to experience some sensitivity to cold temperatures and when biting and chewing. This will become less as the tooth heals and your mouth becomes used to the new crown. If it persists, give your dentist a call to see if you would benefit from a bite adjustment and/or fluoride treatment. Adjustment appointments only take a few minutes so it’s important to get in if you need to so that you can be comfortable as soon as possible.

To keep your new restoration healthy, be sure to visit your dentist regularly and maintain a good oral hygiene routine.

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