Curious how the crown teeth procedure works?
Dental crowns are caps placed on top of teeth with extensive decay or a large fracture. They are also used as a final restoration for a tooth that has undergone root canal therapy or a dental implant. With a beautifully made dental crown, the tooth’s natural beauty and functional abilities are restored.
But exactly how does the process work?
We’ll answer exactly that with this step-by-step dental crown procedure guide. From your initial consultation up to the placement and finishing touches, we will tackle everything you need to know about dental crowns.
Firstly, are dental crowns right for you?
Before we go to the dental crown procedure, we first have to identify if you are a candidate for dental crowns. You may need a dental crown if you have a tooth that is:
- Severely decayed
- Badly fractured
- Worn down
- Severely discoloured or misshapen
- Root-canal treated
- Implant-treated
But for dental crowns to work, there has to be a substantial amount of natural tooth structure remaining.
If there is minimal tooth structure left after being decayed or damaged, the crown will only do more harm than good and will eventually damage the tooth structure left.
This is why thorough dental examination, X-rays, and digital scans must be done before the dental crown procedure. This will help your dentist identify the safest and most effective treatment plan for your dental concerns.
Crown Teeth Procedure: Step-By-Step Guide
Once you are through the screening process of dental crowns, your dentist will now proceed with restoring your teeth and smile. The routine crown teeth procedure goes like this:
Plotting a treatment plan
Using X-rays, your dentist will determine how to go about the procedure. The type of material for your dental crowns will also be discussed and your goals for the treatment will be considered to ensure predictable results that meet expectations.
Preparing the tooth and taking a mould
Next, the dentist will file around the circumference of the tooth to make room for the bulk of the dental crown material. If needed, local anaesthetics can be administered to numb the area. If a conventional crown procedure is undertaken, the dentist will take a tooth impression and the mould will be sent to the laboratory to fabricate your dental crown.
Placing a temporary crown
While you wait for the lab to finish creating your crown, a temporary crown will be placed over the prepared tooth to protect it and prevent damage. This is very important because the proper fit and perfect look of the crown will depend on the tooth structure remaining intact.
Crown adjustments
The lab will take some days to weeks to return your crown. And when they do, you will be rescheduled for adjustment and final placement. Before cementing the crown in place, your dentist will check the fit and look of the crown on your teeth. If adjustments are made, it will have to be repolished and refit.
Dental crown cementation
Once the dental crown fits nicely and looks exactly as you want, your dentist will place cement underneath the crown, place it on top of the tooth, remove extra cement, and then cure it in place. Dental crowns made with care using high-quality materials are expected to last over 15 years with proper upkeep.
What About CEREC: Single-Visit Crown Teeth Procedure?
At No Gaps Dental, we prioritise the time and efforts of our patients. So, we’ve invested in the latest CEREC technology, turning the lengthy business of getting conventional dental crowns into a single-visit dental crown procedure.
Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics or CEREC for short, allows our dentists to create natural and functional ceramic crowns right here in our dental clinic. So after getting your tooth prepped, we take a digital scan of your teeth to produce a 3D image that will be fed into a computer system. From the image, the CEREC technology will identify the outline of your existing tooth to produce a dental crown that fits with pristine accuracy. Once done, it is ready to be cemented on your teeth.
Benefits of CEREC Dental Crowns
CEREC dental crowns are superior to traditional dental crowns for many reasons. Because of the quick turnaround time, there is no need to wait for the lab to process your crown.
No need for temporary dental crowns also. Everything is done on the day.
The comfort and precision are also unmatchable.
No messy mouth impressions that can sometimes take several takes to perfect.
Also, the technology prevents man-made errors that can reflect on the quality of the results. Because of this, there is no need for you to keep going back and forth to the clinic to make any adjustments.
Are CEREC dental crowns for everyone?
You will need to consult with your dentist if CEREC is right for you. CEREC is made of all ceramic material so this is best for restoring teeth that are visible when you smile. If you want to have dental crowns placed on the back teeth, porcelain-fused-to-metal or all-metal dental crowns may be more suited for you as these have a better structural reinforcement.
Smile With Dental Crowns at No Gaps Dental
At No Gaps Dental, we have a variety of treatment options to cater to your individual needs and goals. From traditional to CEREC, and metal to all-ceramic dental crowns, we have something for everyone.
Learn about your options for a dental crown today. Simply call us at 02 8007 6727 or book a consultation at any one of our 15 dental clinics located in and around the Sydney Metro area.
References
WebMD – Dental Crowns
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-scrowns
Healthline – Everything You Need to Know About Getting a Dental Crown
https://www.healthline.com/find-care/articles/dentists/dental-crown
Healthline – How Long Can You Expect a Dental Crown to Last?
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-does-a-crown-last
Healthline – What You Need to Know About CEREC Dental Crowns
https://www.healthline.com/health/what-you-need-to-know-about-cerec-dental-crowns