Every year, dental crowns save millions of teeth from damage and decay, helping people across the globe enjoy better oral health. They’re a simple, but durable solution that’s flexible enough to fit into any smile. But before a crown is placed, a tooth needs careful preparation to ensure a proper fit and long-lasting results! If you’ve ever been curious about how it’s done, continue reading. You’ll see the step-by-step process dentists use to prepare teeth for crowns!
Step 1: Examination
Before moving forward with your treatment, your dentist examines your problem tooth to assess its condition. If it’s damaged or decayed, they’ll remove any weakened or infected areas first. This step is critical to make sure your tooth has a solid base for the crown.
Step 2: Reshaping
Next, your dentist will reshape your tooth, trimming down its surface to make room for your new restoration. The amount of enamel removed depends on the crown material. Ceramic crowns, for example, need to have slightly more space than metal ones to attach properly.
Step 3: Impressioning
Once your tooth is reshaped, your dentist will take an impression of your tooth and its neighbors to create your custom crown. This process usually involves a special molding material that’s like putty. This step ensures your new crown fits snugly over your tooth and aligns perfectly with your bite!
Step 4: Fabrication
Your custom restoration will take some time to make, so your dentist will first fit you with a temporary crown so you can still eat and smile. Meanwhile, the impression your dentist took goes to a partnered dental lab where they painstakingly craft your restoration. This process can take a week or more, but once it’s ready, you’ll head back to the dentist chair for the final step!
Step 5: Fitting
In this last step, your dentist will remove your temporary crown and test the fit of the new one. Adjustments may be made to ensure it feels comfortable and looks just right. Then, your dentist will use a special bonding cement to keep your crown in place. Once this is done, you’ll be able to head home with your new dental crown!
As you can see, the dental crown process is fairly simple even though it has several steps. If you’re anticipating a crown in your future, knowing the process can reduce any stress you might have and offer you a clear picture of what to expect. If you have any more specific questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to your dentist. They’ll be more than happy to provide answers!
About the Author
If you need quality dental care in Casper, Dr. Erin M. Prach is a talented dentist with a decade of experience. She earned her dental degree from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine. Since then, she has helped countless patients achieve healthier smiles with state-of-the-art dental technology and techniques. Call (307) 337-4770 to schedule a consultation with our team at Erin M. Prach, DDS, or visit our website to explore a full menu of services.