Dental crowns are among the most popular corrective dentistry treatments today. If a crown is advised by your dentist, you may be wondering what exactly happens during the process. This guide walks you through each stage of getting a dental crown, from initial appointment to treatment, so that you can feel prepared and secure.
Initial Consultation and Examination
Before any treatment starts, your dentist in gaylord will:
- Examine your tooth thoroughly
- Take oral X-rays to measure the roots and surrounding bone
- Discuss material choices and suggest what’s best for your situation
- Review your medical and oral records
- Create a treatment plan including schedule and cost estimates
This meeting is your chance to ask questions about the process, options, and what to expect.
First Appointment: Preparation and Temporary Crown
The crown process usually needs two visits. During your first appointment:
- The dentist will give local medicine to numb the tooth and surrounding area.
- Next comes tooth preparation. To free up space for the crown, the dentist will smooth down the top and sides of your tooth. The sort of cap you’re receiving determines how much is removed.
- If your tooth has major damage or decay, your dentist might need to use filler material to rebuild its core first.
- After adjusting, the dentist will take a print of your prepared tooth. This can be done using standard dental paste or current digital screening technology.
- The molds are sent to a dental factory, where your final crown will be custom-made. This usually takes 1-3 weeks.
- Before you leave, your dentist will place a temporary cap over your prepared tooth. This temporary covering covers your tooth while your final crown is being made.
The first meeting generally takes 60-90 minutes, based on the difficulty of your case.
Between Appointments: Living with a Temporary Crown
While waiting for your permanent crown, you’ll need to take special care of your temporary one:
- Avoid sticky or hard foods that could move or break the plastic crown
- Try using the other side of your mouth to chew.
- Brush gently around the temporary crown area
- When flossing, slide the floss out rather than pulling it up, which could pull off the temporary crown
- Contact your dentist if the temporary cap comes loose or falls off
Remember that temporary caps aren’t meant to last long and may not match your other teeth perfectly in color or feel natural.
Second Appointment: Placing Your Permanent Crown
You’ll return for your second appointment when your final crown is ready.
- After removal of the temporary crown, the dentist will clean your teeth of any remaining temporary cement.
- They’ll check the fit and color of the new fixed cap, making changes as needed.
- Once everything looks good, your dentist will forever seal the crown.
- To make sure the crown fits correctly, your bite will be examined.
- Final changes may be made by cutting down high spots that affect your bite.
This visit is generally faster than the first, typically taking 30-60 minutes.
Recovery and Aftercare
After getting your lifelong crown:
- Your mouth might stay numb for a few hours after the process
- You may feel mild sensitivity to hot and cold for a few days to weeks
- Take over-the-counter pain medications if needed
- Resume normal brushing and flossing, giving special attention to the area where the crown meets the gumline
- Schedule regular oral checkups so your doctor can watch your crown
Your new crown doesn’t require special care beyond good mouth hygiene; proper upkeep will help it last longer.
Conclusion
Although receiving a dental crown may seem challenging, awareness of the procedure may reduce anxiety. Dental crowns are routinely applied from the first examination to the last installation to restore your tooth’s appearance and functionality with the least discomfort. To ensure your crown lasts as long as possible, remember that appropriate care and regular dental exams are essential. Most patients discover that their capped tooth feels normal quite fast, while there can be some adjustment period as you acclimate to your new crown.