Join us as we learn more about getting a Dental Crown. Do you have pain or discomfort in a tooth that is getting worse? We can help. Ongoing pain in a tooth can distract you, and it doesn’t have to be that way.
What is a Dental Crown?
Whereas a filling is a material inserted into the cavity of a tooth, a crown addresses more significant issues. It is a prosthetic tooth made of metal, porcelain, or ceramic that covers the entire tooth to protect all surfaces. We often install a crown after a filling has proven insufficient to solve the issue.
What can a Crown Help?
A dental crown can help in several ways, such as:
- Protecting cracked, worn down, or broken teeth
- Holding a dental bridge in place
- Covering a dental implant
- Hiding discolored or misshapen teeth
- A crown not only covers current dental issues but also helps prevent further ones in a tooth by shielding it.
How is a Crown Installed?
You would need to visit our office 2-3 times for us to install a crown properly, and the process takes about three weeks.
We first take an x-ray of the affected tooth and the surrounding bone to determine the health of those areas. If we discover any issues, we will do a root canal to ensure we place a crown on a healthy tooth. If you need a root canal, we will schedule that for another visit before installing the crown.
Once we determine the tooth and surrounding area is healthy, we file down part of your tooth along the top and sides. This ensures the crown can fit without irritating your surrounding teeth. We put a temporary crown over your filed tooth to protect it, as it would be sensitive due to exposure.
If we need to cover a tiny tooth, we will use dental material first to build up your tooth so the crown has a larger area to cling to securely. We make an impression of your tooth and the teeth above it to ensure the crown height will not affect your bite.
It typically takes up to three weeks for a dental lab to send us your crown created from the impression we send them. Once we receive the crown, you return to our office, so we can make sure the fit and color are correct. If so, we give you a local anesthetic, if needed, to numb the tooth and install the crown using dental cement.
Patients often say the crown at first feels different from their other teeth, but they adjust to the feel within two weeks.
Do You Need a Dental Crown?
Schedule a visit to our office, so we can help you determine if a crown is a suitable solution for you. Whether your discomfort is something new or has been irritating you for years, we will examine your tooth, walk you through the process, and answer all your questions.
You don’t have to endure a painful tooth any longer. We can install a crown and help you get back to your everyday life pain-free once again.