What Can You Expect During a Dental Crown Procedure?

There are a lot of things that can get in the way of a perfect smile. Bad teeth, poor dental hygiene, and missing/inadequate filling may lower how much you smile.

If you have any of these dental issues, a dental crown procedure might be done to restore your smile.

Dental crowns are a fantastic way to give the appearance of a healthy smile. However, for many patients who are scared or uncomfortable with the procedure, it can be daunting. This is why you should know what to expect before getting your crown.

What is a Dental Crown?

A dental crown is a restoration of the tooth’s hard, outer coating. They are made of different materials, and the thickness and shape can vary depending on what purpose the crown serves.

Dental crowns are made to cover, repair, or replace damaged tooth structures. They may be used to restore teeth that have been fractured or cracked by trauma to the tooth structure or teeth with extensive decay.

What is the Procedure of Getting Dental Crowns?

It usually takes two visits for our dentist in North Houston, TX, to prepare a tooth for a crown. The first visit deals with examining & prepping the tooth, and the second deals with placing the permanent crown on top.

First visit: examination and preparation

At your first visit, your dentist may take a few x-rays to check the extent of decay and damage of the teeth. If there is any problem, a dentist will first perform the recommended treatment before fixing the crowns.

The dentist will then anesthetize the teeth and gums to ease the pain. Next, she will reshape the teeth and the chewing surfaces to create room for the dental crowns. A paste or putty to make an impression of the teeth, sometimes though a digital scanner is used. The dentist will cover the reshaped teeth with temporary crowns to protect the teeth from sensitivity.

These impressions are sent to the lab to make the dental crowns, and it can take two to three weeks.

Second visit: Fixing the permanent crowns

The dentist will remove the temporary caps and replace them with permanent ones. A block of cement is used to fix the crowns in place if the aesthetics and fit are acceptable.

What is the Recovery Process?

If you require a crown, it is important to know the risks and benefits of this procedure. Everyone has a different tolerance for pain and discomfort, but you should be aware that anesthesia is most likely used during your visit.

You may feel discomfort following your dental crown procedure, but this will fade away as the cement hardens.

Are There Any Important instructions?

Yes, it is important to care for your temporary crowns as you wait for the permanent ones:

• You might be better off avoiding certain foods, such as chewing gum and caramel, which have the potential of damaging your crown.
• To minimize your chances of having complications from a temporary restoration, swap the chewing on one side of your mouth to avoid those problems.
• Chewing some foods, such as raw vegetables, may dislodge the crown from the tooth. This can lead to painful consequences.

What Problems Can Develop With Dental Crowns?

• Discomfort or sensitivity. Everyone can experience sensitivity after a procedure. The amount of discomfort will vary depending on the individual. If you are experiencing pain or other symptoms, contact a dentist near you.
• Chipped crown. Crowns made of porcelain can chip and crack. The dentist can use a composite resin to fix the crack and chips temporarily.
• Loose crown. Sometimes the cement that was previously holding the dental crown can wash out from underneath the crown. If the crown seems loose, it is advisable to visit a dentist for assistance.
• Crown falls off. Crowns fall off due to decay of the underlying tooth or because the cementing material used to place the crown loosens.
• A dark tooth gum line. This line develops if you get the porcelain-fused-to-metal crown. This is normal, but you can replace the crown if you do not like the discoloration.

Schedule an Appointment

Call or schedule an appointment with Lynn Alan Palmer DDS for more information about dental crowns and what you can experience.