How Do Dentists Prepare Teeth for Crowns?

Everyone wants to feel like royalty, so it makes sense that your dentist has informed you that you need a crown! All jokes aside, however, if you’ve been told that this treatment is the best solution for your tooth, here’s what you can expect from the procedure, and why your new dental crown is a very good thing!

What is a Dental Crown?

Think of a dental crown as a deluxe filling. They are often used when your tooth either has too much damage for a traditional filling or has had too many repairs to safely endure another one. Crowns look and feel like your original, natural tooth, fitting over it like a cap. But in order to place it, your dentist will need to complete the following steps.

The Dental Crown Process

1. First, your dentist will take impressions of your damaged tooth to send to the dental lab. This will be used to create your custom dental crown, so it looks and feels identical to the tooth it is repairing.

• Next, your dentist will remove the damaged enamel from the injured tooth. The roots will remain intact; however, the tooth that sits above the surface of the gums will be reshaped so the crown can sit comfortably on top.

• Now your dentist will protect your tooth by creating a temporary crown. This will be cemented into place until your real crown is ready (typically in about two weeks). The temporary crown can be used to eat with and shouldn’t stand out in your smile. You may notice some sensitivity while chewing with it, but rest assured this is usually temporary and will go away once your permanent crown is attached. Be careful when flossing around it, as they can sometimes come loose if you get dental floss caught underneath them!

• In about two weeks, you will return to your dentist’s office for the permanent crown. Your dentist will remove the temporary crown and cement the new one in place. You will be able to immediately begin using it to eat a full diet. Please be aware that though it is considered more permanent than your temporary crown, most crowns will need to be replaced in about ten years. In the meantime, be sure to care for it properly by regularly brushing and flossing and by only using it to eat food- no using it to tear open packaging or bite fingernails!

Crowning Achievements

Now that you know the steps involved in getting your new dental crown, you can rest assured that this smile-saving treatment is an excellent way to repair a variety of tooth damage. Crowns are durable, realistic, and an exceptional way to restore and protect your teeth and avoid more permanent solutions like extraction.

About Dr. Lu

Dr. Henry Lu earned his Dental Degree at the Noval Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine. He has worked in pediatric dentistry and has taken numerous courses in topics like general dentistry and orthodontics to help give his patients the best treatment possible. To schedule an appointment for a dental crown at Skillman Family Dentistry of Dallas, please visit our website or call us today at 469-998-9822.