Dental crown are tooth-like shaped caps that replace and cover weak, broken, decayed, or worn-down teeth. They are made from different materials which may include porcelain, metal, and resin. It’s one of the ways your teeth can be restored. Other methods include fillings (where the damage to your teeth is minor, and an artificial tooth material is used to fill in the cavity) and bonding (where your tooth is significantly chipped, and a dental bonding material is sculpted to look like the shape of the missing part of your tooth and is used to replace it), to mention only a few.
The Procedure
Dental crowns, whether for restorative or cosmetic purposes, are placed by general or cosmetic dentists following a similar procedure.
Your dentist has to first determine if it’s the ideal treatment option for you before proceeding with it. Typically, two sessions are needed, but some dentists can complete it in a single visit. Here’s how the process goes:
1. Examination and Treatment Plan
The first step to getting dental crowns is scheduling a consultation with a qualified dentist. The dentist will assess the extent of the tooth damage and opt for the most conservative restoration, such as a dental crown for cases where fillings or on-lays won’t suffice. X-rays may be done to ascertain how affected the tooth is, and its surrounding tissues. Most dentists recommend dental crowns only when you have pronounced teeth imperfections.
2. Tooth Preparation
First, the dentist will numb the tooth to ensure a painless process, and to help you remain comfortable during the procedure. If there’s decay or infection, the diseased tissue will be removed, and the tooth will be cleaned. After that, a layer of enamel is filed off to reshape the tooth and create space for the crown. This also provides a rough surface for crown adhesion.
3. Impression of the Prepared Tooth
After tooth preparation, an impression of the reshaped tooth is taken. Your dentist could do this by asking you to bite down on a dental putty to create an impression. The tooth is then covered with a temporary crown, and the patient is sent home. The temporary crown is usually made from stainless steel or acrylic and is designed to protect the teeth until the permanent crowns are ready to be fixed. The putty you bit on will then harden to form a mold, which will be sent to a dental lab along with color specifications for crown formulation.
4. Crown Formulation
While you’re waiting, the dental laboratory will use the impression that was taken to fabricate the aforementioned permanent crowns. This part of the process may take a few weeks, depending on the clinic you’re working with. However, some dentists have in-house labs where they can create permanent crowns. This may mean that the entire procedure can be performed in one day, and you won’t need to get temporary crowns, as it will only take a few hours to create the permanent crowns.
5. Placement of the Permanent Crown
When the crown arrives from the dental lab, your dentist will alert you and ask you to return to the clinic for the second visit. The dentist will, first of all, numb your tooth to avoid discomfort, then he will remove the temporary crown and clean and disinfect the prepared tooth. After that, he will check the fit, color, and shape of the permanent crown before bonding it to your teeth with dental cement, ensuring a secure and comfortable fit.
6. Post-Placement Care
If you get the procedure done with a good dentist, they should provide you with some specific instructions and guidelines on how you should care for your new restoration based on your dental health. Generally, caring for a dental crown is similar to caring for your natural teeth. Maintaining overall dental health is important because the crown sits on your natural tooth. If the base tooth weakens, decays or other issues arise, the repair’s strength may decline over time.
After the dental crown procedure, make sure you continue practicing proper oral hygiene at home, including brushing your teeth regularly (twice a day), flossing, and using antibacterial mouthwashes. Following the recommended dental check-up schedule is important for monitoring your dental health and identifying potential problems early before they become more severe.
What Else Should You Know About Dental Crowns?
Even though dental crowns are a common and popular procedure for chipped or damaged teeth, there are several important considerations. You may experience increased tooth sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, but this doesn’t happen to everyone. Some people may deal with being more sensitive when biting down, on the other hand.
Although crowns are intended to be permanent, their longevity varies due to external factors. There is no exact guarantee on how long an individual’s crown will last before requiring additional restoration or replacement. On average, dental crowns can last for as long as 15 years. You should also know the types of dental crowns. Dentakay dentists have listed the types of dental crowns with explanations.
If you are one to frequently bite or chew hard foods like nuts or seeds, your crowns may stand the risk of loosening if they fail to bear excessive pressure (and they most likely will). Conversely, those who exercise caution and maintain a thorough oral health care routine may enjoy a longer-lasting crown.
The procedure is not one to be jittery about, as it’s quite simple and straightforward. You’ll also be given painkillers to help keep the pain at bay, so you don’t even have to worry about the pain.
Getting dental crowns requires a well-structured procedure and a thorough professional to help restore your damaged or decayed teeth. From the initial consultation to the final placement, each step should be carefully performed to ensure optimal results.
If you’re in Turkey and are looking for a place to get the procedure done, you should book a consultation with us today. We are simply the best at what we do, and you can rest assured that we’ll have you covered from the beginning of the procedure till the end, and even after. What are you waiting for? Contact us now!
