If you’re in need of a or at least one that’s not fairing too well on its own, you’re probably wondering what the whole process will look like. Our Cooper City, FL, dentists want all patients to be informed ahead of appointment time, so we laid out the basics of how your dental crown will become part of your smile.
Here’s what dental crown treatment typically looks like from start to finish.
Top Reasons for a Dental Crown
Dental crowns aren’t just about aesthetics, they’re built to restore strength and function. If you’ve had significant decay or a fracture, a crown acts like a helmet for your tooth. It reinforces what’s left and seals out bacteria.
A dental crown may be placed because of:
- Large cavities that can’t be filled
- A worn-down, broken, or cracked tooth
- Recent root canal procedure
- Protecting a tooth affected by bruxism
- Cosmetic improvement for misshaped or discolored teeth
If you’re , it’s especially important, since the tooth is no longer alive and more prone to breaking without reinforcement.
Number of Visits Required for Dental Crowns
The traditional dental crown procedure usually takes two visits. The first one is all about preparation. Our local family dentists will begin by examining the tooth and taking X-rays to ensure a crown is the best solution. If there’s infection or deep decay, treatment will need to happen first, sometimes with emergency dental care if the damage is severe.
Once cleared, the tooth is reshaped to make room for the crown. This involves removing a small portion of enamel from all sides. After shaping, a quick digital dental impression is taken. This impression is sent to a lab, where your porcelain dental crown is custom-made to match your bite and tooth shade.
Before you leave, a temporary crown is placed to protect your tooth while you wait for your new dental crown.
How Long Until My Dental Crown Is Ready?
It usually takes about a few weeks for a dental lab to create a custom porcelain dental crown. During this time, you’ll wear the temporary crown. It’s important to treat it gently while you’re outside of our Cooper City, FL, dental office.
Avoid sticky or overly hard foods, and chew on the opposite side of your mouth if possible. If the temporary crown becomes loose or falls off, contact our dentists so we’re aware of what’s occurred. Keeping the tooth protected prevents damage and discomfort while you’re in between visits, so we’ll want to remedy the situation sooner than later.
The Final Dental Crown Placement
When your final restoration is ready, you’ll come back for dental crown placement. Our dentists will remove the temporary crown and check the fit and color of the permanent one. Minor adjustments might also be made on the spot.
Once everything looks and feels right, the crown is cemented into place. You’ll bite down a few times to confirm the fit. After that, you’re good to go. It might feel a little unfamiliar at first, but within a few days, most people forget they even have a new dental crown.
Dental Crown Aftercare & What to Watch For
Proper care is key to keeping your porcelain crown in top shape. Brush and floss like normal, and don’t skip routine teeth cleanings. While porcelain is durable, it’s not indestructible, so avoid using your teeth to open things and chewing on ice or pens.
If you experience pain when biting, lingering sensitivity, or the crown feels loose, call our office. These could be early signs of an issue needing attention. And if you ever suffer trauma to a crowned tooth, urgent dental care may be needed to assess and restore it.
Make an Appointment Today
Our , believe that transparency is key to the doctor-patient relationship. That said, we are happy to answer any questions you may have about the dental crown procedure. Call Cooper City Family Dentistry today at (954) 252-8257 or contact us online to book a consultation.
