Procedure Details of Dental Crowns
The dental crown procedure first involves numbing the tooth with local anesthesia. If the tooth has been fractured or had a root canal treatment, it will first need to have a buildup — a filling that restores enough of the tooth for the crown to hold onto. Then the tooth is shaved down to make room for the crown, and an impression is made of the prepared tooth with a putty-like substance or a digital scanner. The dentist will then determine the shade of the patient’s teeth using a shade guide or take pictures of the teeth to help the lab technician make crowns that will match the rest of the patient’s teeth. A temporary crown is made from a resin or acrylic material using a molding or stent of the original tooth. This temporary crown is cemented with temporary cement so that it can come off easily once the permanent crown is ready.
Usually a few weeks after a temporary crown, the patient returns for a second visit. During this visit, the tooth may or may not need to be numbed again and the temporary crown is removed. The permanent crown is placed on the tooth and inspected for acceptable fit, bite, and smooth margins. After any necessary adjustments have been performed, the crown is cemented with a permanent cement or dental glue.
When might you need a dental crown?
Dental crowns can be used to cover a broken or decayed tooth when too much of the original tooth is missing to hold a filling. They are also used to protect a weak tooth from breaking, and to cover stained or badly shaped teeth.
Alternatives to dental crowns
There are alternatives to dental crowns. If you want to improve discolouration, then veneers – which are thin layers fixed onto the front surface of a tooth — might be an option. If your tooth is chipped, your dentist may also try to rebuild your tooth structure using filling material.
What steps are involved in preparing a tooth for a crown?
At least two dental visits are typically needed to prepare a tooth for a dental crown to be placed.
First Visit: Investigation, Tooth Reshaping, Impression and Temporary Crown
During the first dental visit, an X-ray is usually taken of the tooth and jawbone to investigate for signs of decay and other factors that could increase the risk of infection or injury to the pulp of the tooth. For some patients, root canal treatment may be required prior to the placement of a crown on a tooth.
The tooth will need to be shaped to allow room for the crown to be placed; the extent of reshaping will depend on the type of crown being used. Metal-based crowns tend to be thinner and, therefore, require the removal of less structure of the tooth than porcelain crowns. The top and sides of the tooth are filed down to shape the tooth as needed for the crown. Any tooth decay should also be treated during this step.
For some patients with severe decay or damage to the tooth, there may be insufficient tooth structure remaining to place the tooth. In this case, a filling material may be needed to build up the structure of the tooth so that the crown can later be put in place.
Once the tooth has been adequately shaped, the next step is to create an impression of the shaped tooth so that the crown can be made to fit the tooth as closely as possible. An impression also often needs to be created for the tooth on the opposing jaw that will connect with the crown when the patient bites. This is to ensure that the crown fits well to the other side of the mouth, in addition to the area where it will sit.
Impressions are usually made using a paste or putty that holds the shape of the tooth. It is spread over the area to be copied and then pulled away, keeping the shape of the relevant teeth on its surface.
At this point, it is important to record details about the tooth that will affect the production of the crown, such as the natural fit and color. Ideally, the color of the crown should match that of the tooth and surrounding teeth so that it is not noticed when it is placed inside the mouth.
Finally, a temporary crown is usually placed over the tooth to protect it until the crown has been constructed and is ready to be fixed in place. This will be removed at the next dental visit to make room for the permanent crown.
Second Visit: Permanent Crown Placement
In the meantime, the impressions of the teeth are sent to a dental technician or laboratory to form the crown in the correct shape. This process typically takes up to three weeks, which is why more than one dental visit is needed to place a permanent crown correctly.
Once the dental technician or laboratory has created the crown, it is time for the crown to be placed over the tooth. If a temporary crown has been placed, this should first be removed.
It is important to check that the crown has been made correctly, ensuring that both the fit and the color of the crown match that of the natural and surrounding teeth before it is cemented in.
A local anesthetic is usually administered to numb the area during the procedure to fit the crown. Dental cement is utilized to fix the crown in place over the tooth. It may be necessary to make small adjustments to the shape of the crown, particularly if there are problems with the patient’s bite when the crown meets the opposite tooth.
Post-Operative Instructions
Your new crown was made to withstand the normal forces from biting, chewing, and grinding. However, it is very important to understand that crowns are not indestructible.
Once the bite is accurate and your tooth has been cleaned from any excess cement, your dentist will give you very specific post-operative instructions for your new crown. It is important for you to follow these instructions to the letter. Most specifically, what you eat with your new crown is the biggest change you will make due to your new crown. For example, candy and nuts are very destructive to crowns and should be avoided at all costs.
If after a few days you notice anything unusual with your new dental crown, call your dentist immediately to have the crown examined.
It is also imperative for you to continue following a strict oral hygiene regimen that includes brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings for your crowns.
What kind of problems may occur after getting a dental crown?
Crown preparation sometimes places a lot of stress on a tooth, causing the nerve to become irreversibly inflamed. If this happens, the tooth may need root canal treatment.
How long do dental crowns last?
Dental crowns should last on average from 10 to 20 years. Crowns are still subject to fracture and cavities, so it is important to take extra care in brushing and flossing around crowned teeth to prevent them from needing replacement too often. When all-ceramic crowns or veneers are present, it is often advisable to wear a mouth guard to protect the porcelain from fracturing and prolong the life of the crowns.
10 common question about
How painful is it to get a crown?: After the procedure is over and the anesthesia has worn off, the patient may feel some sensitivity with the temporary crown or some soreness in the gums around the tooth. The pain is very minimal though and shouldn\’t last long.
How long does it take to put a crown on a tooth?: In the meantime, the impressions of the teeth are sent to a dental technician or laboratory to form the crown in the correct shape. This process typically takes up to three weeks, which is why more than one dental visit is needed to place a permanent crown correctly.
How is a dental crown done?: How are dental crowns installed? First, your dentist will apply anesthetic to numb the tooth getting the crown and the surrounding gum tissue. Then, they\’ll use a dental drill and an abrasive bur to remove the outer surface of the tooth on the top and all sides, creating enough room for the crown to be placed.
What can you not eat with a crown?: Foods and Drinks to Avoid with Temporary Crowns
Avoid chewy or sticky foods, such as caramel, taffy, and gum. These foods can grab and pull out the crown.
Avoid chewing hard foods, such as granola, hard candy, and ice. …
Avoid foods that are extremely cold or hot.
Avoid tough foods like hard bread or steak.
What happens if you don\’t put a crown on a root canal?: The crown can also prevent a fracture of the tooth which may result in the tooth being non-restorable (not fixable). … This is because the tooth will not be able to be properly restored, an extensive filling will fail, root canal treatment (if done) will fail and ultimately the tooth will be lost.
What can I eat with a temporary crown?: After placement of your temporary crown you should avoid:
Foods that are extremely hot or cold.
Tough foods such as steak or hard breads.
Hard foods like ice, hard candy, and granola.
Sticky foods such as taffy, caramel, or gum.
How long will a crown last?: On average, dental crowns last between five and 15 years. The life span of a crown depends on the amount of wear and tear the crown takes, how well you follow good oral hygiene practices, and your personal mouth-related habits.
Can you put a crown on a broken tooth?: Dental Cap or Crown
If a large piece of tooth breaks off or the tooth has a lot of decay, the dentist may grind or file away part of the remaining tooth and cover it with a crown, or tooth-shaped cap, made to protect the tooth and improve its appearance
Why are crowns so expensive?: Dental crowns are so expensive, because dentists have to use modern techniques and materials. The materials are so expensive, because it is used as the natural teeth. … In general, the stainless steel crown is used for children\’s teeth because it does not require multiple visits and less expensive.
Are crowns bad for your teeth?: While crowns can save teeth, it does mean more effort from the patient in maintaining them. … If the margin isn\’t sealed well or the patient doesn\’t/can\’t keep it clean, you risk getting a cavity under that crown. Crowns are usually an investment of time and money from both the patient and the doctor.