Many people avoid visiting the dentist because they’re afraid they’re going to find out that they need a procedure, like a dental crown. While the unknown can be daunting, these treatments actually help preserve your smile and prevent small oral health problems from becoming even worse. By learning more about what your treatment will look like, you can erase the mystery, and even the fear, surrounding your dental visit. Read on to learn the five-step preparation process for getting a dental crown.
Step 1: Diagnosing the Issue
The first step is for your dentist to learn what problem is causing your underlying tooth pain that brought you into their office in the first place. This discomfort can come in many different forms, including dental sensitivity, sharp pains that keep you up at night, or a dull and thumping discomfort. In any case, they’ll likely need to capture X-rays and conduct a thorough examination of your teeth and gums. This will give them the information they need to diagnose the problem and provide you with a treatment plan.
Step 2: Preliminary Treatment
The preliminary treatment you need will depend on your dentist’s diagnosis. If it’s a tooth infection, you’ll likely require root canal therapy. If you have a large cavity that’s causing sensitivity, you may need a sizable dental filling. These will help prevent the problems from progressing and leading to the need for a tooth extraction. Oftentimes, after these treatments are completed, a dental crown is needed to restore the affected tooth’s strength and structure.
Step 3: Removing Enamel & Smoothing the Tooth
After you’ve recovered from your treatment, your dentist will begin the process of preparing your tooth for its crown. In order to get your restoration to lay flush with your surrounding teeth, they’ll need to remove a small portion of enamel to make up for the thickness of the restoration. By smoothing it out, they’ll also be able to cement the crown more easily onto your tooth. Before this process starts, they’ll numb the area with a local anesthetic to prevent discomfort.
Step 4: Taking Impressions
After your tooth is prepared, they’ll then capture an impression of it using either putty or a digital impression system. This will be used by their dental laboratory to craft your permanent restoration. They’ll also match the color of your surrounding teeth to make sure your crown is made to blend in with the rest of your smile.
Step 5: Placing the Temporary Crown
Before sending you home to await the two or more weeks it will take for your permanent restoration to be made, your dentist will secure a temporary crown onto your prepared tooth. This will help protect it in the meantime as well as prevent heightened dental sensitivity.
About the Author
Dr. Sara Curcio graduated from the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine in 2006 and completed her residency training at Hartford Hospital. For decades, she has been providing patients with high-quality, personalized, and reliable dental care that they can trust. She proudly offers same-day emergency appointments and treats patients of all ages. She also uses high-quality dental materials that look and feel natural. For questions or to schedule an appointment, visit South Windsor Dental’s website or call 860-644-2476.