When a dentist places a dental crown, it’s usually due to severe decay or a partially broken tooth. That is because treating a tooth with severe decay using typical filling material doesn’t work. In the case of a chip, crack, or trauma to the mouth, placing a crown over the affected tooth is a good option to help preserve as much of the original tooth as possible.
Sometimes patients request placement of a crown for cosmetic purposes. A misshapen tooth and severe tooth discoloration are just two common examples. Finally, dentists often recommend placing a crown after a root canal, to hold a dental bridge in place, or to disguise dental implants. While porcelain is the most typical material used to create a new dental crown, dental laboratory specialists may also create it from ceramic, metal, or zirconia.
You should expect to schedule two dental appointments if you need a crown. During the first appointment, Dr. Kim will file down your tooth to ensure that the crown will fit snugly over it. However, she will first take an impression of the tooth that requires a crown as well as your bite. The dental laboratory uses this information to create your customized crown. You receive a temporary crown while the laboratory processes your new permanent one. This takes approximately two weeks.
For your second appointment, Dr. Kim attaches the customized crown over the top of your tooth and has you bite down to ensure an appropriate fit. She may also need to trim away excess material. The last step involves your dentist using a curing light to force the adhesive of your crown to harden in place. The result is a natural-looking tooth that restores your mouth to full functionality.
Please contact us with additional questions about crowns or to request an appointment.
