If you’ve ever wondered what’s involved in a dental crown procedure, this article is for you!
Dental crowns are artificial caps that are placed over your damaged, worn or misshapen tooth. They are used to protect the tooth below and restore aesthetics. Crowns are custom made and colour matched to your teeth, so won’t disrupt your smile. Crowns are both a restorative and cosmetic dental treatment, restoring structure and enhancing the appearance of discolouration, gaps and misalignment. The dental crown procedure is common and can be done in two dental visits.
At Boon Dental we’re experts in dental crown procedures. In this article, we will discuss the dental crown procedure, covering preparation and aftercare.
Problems dental crowns solve
Dental crowns are a very common restorative and cosmetic dental treatment. Dental crowns are versatile in that they are used to treat a range of issues. Our dentists may recommend a dental crown as a solution to one or more of the following problems:
- Severe tooth damage
- Severe tooth decay
- Cracked teeth
- Weakened teeth
- Discoloured teeth
- Misshapen teeth
- Excessively worn teeth
- Misaligned teeth
Before a dental crown procedure
In the first appointment, your dentist will prepare your tooth for the crown. This usually involves X-rays of the tooth and surrounding area. This is to thoroughly examine the roots of your teeth, as well as the surrounding bone. This is an important step to ensure there is no infection below the tooth’s surface.
Your dentist will then administer a local anaesthetic before preparing your tooth to make room for the crown. Once this is done, they will take an impression of your tooth and send it off to a special lab where your crown gets made. This usually takes two to three weeks. So, your dentist will place a temporary crown on your tooth in the meantime.
During a dental crown procedure
At your second appointment, your temporary crown will be removed and your new one permanently fitted. Your dentist will ensure the colour, shape and size are correct before cementing it in place. They may use a local anaesthetic to numb the area first. Once the crown has been fitted your dentist will check your bite to make sure it’s perfect. They will also give you aftercare advice.
After a dental crown procedure
There isn’t too much downtime after a dental crown procedure. Your mouth may be numb from the anaesthetic so be careful not to chew on your lips or inside of your cheeks. Once the anaesthetic wears off you may feel some sensitivity. Your new crown may also feel odd at first, this is normal and takes some getting used to. It should subside and feel completely normal after a few days. It is recommended that you avoid eating chewy or hard food for the first 24hrs.
It is important to care for your crown as you should with all your teeth. This means regular brushing (twice a day) and flossing once a day. You should use fluoride-based toothpaste to maintain strength in your teeth. When properly cared for your crown can last many years.
Speak to Boon Dental about dental crowns
At our dental clinic, our philosophy is to deliver an exceptional dental experience for every one of our patients, in a relaxed and comfortable setting. We believe in treating all our patients with compassion and offering quality dental care using state-of-the-art equipment to help people achieve happy and healthy smiles.
Dental crown procedures are common. They are a great way to protect damaged teeth while looking completely natural. At Boon Dental we’ve performed countless dental crown procedures. Our dentists are experts in the area. If you’d like to know more then give us a call.