A tooth crown procedure is used to treat patients with damaged or weakened teeth that cannot be repaired with a filling. A dental crown procedure is sometimes needed for aesthetic reasons, but in most cases, it’s to protect any remaining tooth structure from further decay or damage. Dental crowns are a versatile restoration and are also used to restore a tooth after a root canal procedure or in a dental implant procedure.
Preparations for a Tooth Crown Procedure
To prepare teeth for dental crowns, two visits to a dentist are usually required. The first consultation involves an examination, which includes shaving the tooth to make room for the crown and taking an impression of the tooth so that a crown can be made. During the first visit, a temporary crown made from acrylic or resin material is often fitted to protect the tooth’s structure until a patient undergoes treatment.
A second visit to the dentist is made once the crown has been fabricated by a dental laboratory. The temporary dental crown is removed and a permanent, custom-made solution can be cemented in place.
Different Types of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are made using different types of materials, including:
- Ceramic
- Porcelain
- Metal
- Resin
- A metal-porcelain combination
A popular choice for tooth crown procedures is a CEREC crown. CEREC is an abbreviation of Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. CEREC crowns are often made of a strong and durable ceramic, which are designed and installed using computer-assisted technology.
CEREC dental crowns can be fitted as part of a tooth crown procedure that can be completed in a single dental appointment.
Compared to other dental crowns, a CEREC tooth cap is a more advanced ceramic solution that is virtually indistinguishable from the remaining natural teeth. The biggest benefit of CEREC crowns is that a patient can walk into a dental practice and have a tooth crown procedure on the same day.
Dental practices that fit CEREC crowns use computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) to capture digital images of a patient’s tooth and jaw. The images are then used to design custom-made dental crowns that are ready to fit there and then.
Compared to a traditional tooth crown procedure, which requires at least two dental visits, x-rays and additional waiting time for dental crowns to be created, CEREC crowns offer patients a faster solution.
The Benefits of a Tooth Crown Procedure
A dental crown procedure provides protection against further decay and can support teeth that have been weakened or damaged. Dental crowns are also used to improve the appearance of a tooth that is chipped, misshapen, worn down, or stained, restoring it to its natural shape and brightness.
CEREC crowns can help to improve a patient’s confidence in their smile, restore the tooth’s integrity and protect the health of a tooth long-term. With proper care, dental crowns can last up to 15 years if a patient maintains good oral hygiene and visits their dentist biannually for exams and hygiene cleanings.
According to research, CEREC crowns provide a more reliable restoration of a patient’s tooth.
Choosing the Right Tooth Crown Procedure
Choosing the right dental crown procedure depends on the requirements of the patient and the severity of the problem with a tooth.
A traditional tooth crown procedure requires a couple of dental visits and may require another form of treatment, such as a root canal, to prepare a tooth for a cap to be fitted. There’s also the additional waiting time for a tooth crown to be constructed at a dental laboratory, which can take up to two weeks.
A conventional dental crown procedure is more cost-effective than treatment that uses CAD and CAM to construct and fit a tooth cap. However, the procedure to fit CEREC crowns is quicker and more efficient. Patients spend less time in the dental chair and there is no need for a temporary crown.
CEREC crowns are a more convenient solution and compared to a traditional tooth crown procedure, which often requires a crown to be filed down to get the right shape, they are designed to match the exact profile of the tooth to which they’re fitted.
Finding the Right Dentist for a Tooth Crown Procedure
It’s important for patients to find a dentist who explains a tooth crown procedure fully, the different options available and has a treatment plan. Understanding the procedure and knowing the plan helps to put patients at ease with their dental crown procedure.
Going to the dentist makes many people nervous, which is why choosing a dental practice that is accredited, and highly recommended, is something patients should look for in a dental practice.
The location of a dental practice is vital, too. If a patient chooses a more traditional dental crown procedure, which requires more than one visit, having a dentist that is close by makes treatment more convenient.
Choose No Gaps Dental for Your Tooth Crown Procedure
No Gaps Dental has 14 dental centres in Sydney, each open 6 days per week for reliable, effective oral care for our patients. We offer traditional and CEREC tooth crown procedures that are affordable, accessible and convenient.
No Gaps Dental follows the strictest hygiene guidelines and our professional team of dentists adhere to all health and safety measures to keep our patients protected during a tooth crown procedure. To book your appointment call us on (02) 8007 6727 or book your appointment online.