What to Expect When Getting a Dental Crown

Has your dentist recommended that you get porcelain crowns or dental crowns? Does the whole process seem a little scary and intimidating?

Don't worry. In this article, we'll outline what a dental crown is, as well as what to expect when you get into the dentist's chair.

Having a crown done is the most common procedure in restorative dentistry. As such, you'll be in great hands, as this is a procedure most dentists perform often. If you type in “dentist near me” into your Google search bar, it is likely this dentist has performed several crowns this week or has several on their schedule.

Read on for more information on exactly what a dental crown is and why your dentist has recommended that you get one done.

A dental crown is a cap or cover for a tooth that has been damaged. You may need to get one for an unusually large cavity if your tooth is cracked or worn down, or the tooth is relatively weak. It may be recommended that you get a crown after you've had a root canal, as often the tooth is weak and susceptible to further damage. Crowns can be similar to veneers but aren't quite the same.

No. If your tooth has fallen out, your replacement will be an implant instead of a crown. A crown is for a tooth that is still partially intact.

A dental crown can be made to look like your tooth or not, and it often depends on where you need the crown.

Dental crowns can be made of zirconia, porcelain, composite resin, metal, ceramic materials or a combination of them all. Porcelain crowns, however, are some of the most common.

If you need a crown at the very back of your mouth, your dentist may use a material that doesn't match the tooth. Since the tooth is far in the back and most people won't be able to see it, it doesn't matter as much what it looks like.

But, if you need a crown on your front teeth or a tooth that is highly visible, the dentist will match it to the rest of your teeth so that it won't be detectable. Often, this will be a porcelain crown.

When deciding what material to use for your dental crown, your dentist will make a decision based on a variety of factors. While visibility is certainly a factor, your dentist will also consider the role the tooth plays in your mouth, as well as your gums' position, how much of the tooth shows when you smile or talk and how much of your original tooth you have left.

How much the dental crown, or porcelain crown, will cost is also a factor you may need to consider with your dentist. You may choose a less expensive material that doesn't blend in as well with your other teeth in order to save yourself some money.

A dentist will trim down your tooth, creating a base for the crown to attach. Then, they will place a temporary or permanent crown.

Traditionally, it takes more than one appointment to have a permanent crown fitted. But with new technology, some dental offices can install a permanent crown with one appointment.

If you have a multi-visit crown installation, your dentist will take X-Rays of your tooth, and create a mold of it to make the new crown from before filing it down. They will then trim down the tooth and place a temporary crown in its place to allow you to use your tooth while they send the mold to the lab to be created.

At the next appointment, your dentist will then cement the crown.

If your dentist has more modern technology, you'll be able to have your dental crown or porcelain crown fitted in one day. With this process, the dentist will take digital photos of your mouth, and will be able to create a crown from these photos using a digital scan of the pictures.

They will then trim down your tooth and cement the crown in place.

Some people will only need a 3/4 crown, which is similar to a crown but only covers 3/4 of the area.

Once you've had your crown installed (either permanent or temporary), you'll need to be sure to care for it. Brush your teeth twice a day, and consider using toothpaste for sensitive teeth, as the tooth under your crown may become sensitive to hot or cold.

Floss twice a day to keep your teeth in good condition. You should also avoid hard foods or anything that might make your tooth crack.

If you have a temporary crown, you'll need to be extra careful. Don't brush too hard or floss too aggressively.

When searching "dentist near me" to fit your dental crown or porcelain crown, be sure to find a dentist with quite a bit of experience.

Here are Garland Davis, DDS, we have a long history of performing crowns with amazing results.