Crown restorations are a very common procedure at most dental offices. Despite how frequent the procedure is completed at Friendly Dentistry in Greensboro, NC , many people are frightened of getting a dental crown and the process involved. However, a dental crown restoration is nothing to be frightened of and are vitally important to your overall oral health.
Crowns are placed over a tooth in order to restore shape, size, and overall appearance. Most often they are used because the tooth is damaged or decayed in some way. They are also sometimes used as a way to cosmetically enhance a tooth.
There are different materials used on for the crown, depending on the extent of the damage and the budget involved. Babies and young children have also been known to get crowns if their teeth are too damaged or too small to handle a filling.
What is the Process for Getting a Tooth Crown?
As a crown is designed to perfectly fit over the existing tooth, it needs to be performed by your local dentist accurately and professionally. That means that there are two visits involved when getting a crown.
During the first visit at Friendly Dentistry, we will numb the tooth and the tissues surrounding it with a local anesthetic. Next, your tooth will be reduced in order to make room for the crown and to ensure it fits properly. However, if there is a part of the tooth missing (either from damage or decay), then a filling will have to be placed in order to reshape the tooth so that it supports the crown.
Once the tooth is the correct shape, a putty is put onto the tooth in order to make an impression of the top and bottom arches. The impression is then sent off to a lab along with your x-rays in order to have the crown created. A temporary crown one is put in place before you leave.
There are different crown types that your dentist can help you choose between during your procedure. A ceramic crown or porcelain fused to metal crown are two of the most popular types as they are able to endure wear over time and are able to replicate the color of the teeth and bone surrounding it – so it’s fits right in without jarring from your appearance!
For your temporary crown, it’s best to avoid sticky foods that could dislodge it. It’s also suggested that you take care when eating hard foods and flossing around that particular tooth.
During your second visit, the permanent crown will be put into place (if you have had a root canal in the past, a different procedure may be used). If your dentist is using a porcelain crown, then they will have selected a color that best matches the surrounding teeth. If the color matches and all is well the new crown will be put into place.
Once the permanent crown has been cemented down, the dentist will check your bite. Although the dental laboratory made the crown with your exact specifications in mind, it is essential to make sure the crown fits securely and in line with your bite. As the permanent cement begins to set, the dentist can make any last minute minor adjustments to ensure your bite is sitting perfectly.
Does Getting a Tooth Crown Hurt?
Getting a crown shouldn’t cause you any more pain or discomfort than a typical filling. Your dentist will make sure that they put a local numbing jelly on your teeth, gums and surrounding tissues, but there is usually an anesthetic injected as well, so you might feel a small pinch. If you think you might not be numbed enough and are feeling sharp pains (as opposed to general pressure) then let your dentist know.
Do I Need to Take Special Care of My Tooth Crown?
In general, the crown is made to withstand the normal forces exerted in and on the mouth during the day. They should easily be able to withstand eating, chewing, biting and other forms of pressure. However, that does not mean that they are indestructible and your dentist should give you specialized instructions on what you should and should not eat after the dental crown procedure is performed.
The crown itself will not need any special or extra care. However, just because the crown has been put in place, it doesn’t mean that you can’t experience decay or gum disease. So it’s important to keep up your dental hygiene; make sure to brush at least twice a day and floss in between all your teeth.
Crowns will typically last anywhere between 5 and 15 years, depending on how much they are exposed to. Keeping up good oral hygiene will extend the life of your crowns as well.
To see what types of restorative dentistry or cosmetic dentistry procedures would help fix your smile and help you achieve better oral health, or if you have any more questions regarding tooth crowns, contact your local Greensboro dental office, Friendly Dentistry today!