Do you have a severely decayed or damaged tooth, or have you recently undergone a root canal procedure to alleviate an ache or infection? If so, your dentist will likely want to restore its appearance and functionality with a dental crown.
These tooth-shaped caps are customized to be the right size, shape, and color, then are cemented over injured or treated teeth so that you can continue to use them normally. However, many patients fear procedures they don’t fully understand. Continue reading to learn about 5 things you can expect to happen in preparation for your dental crown!
Step #1: Numbing or Sedation
Many people need dental crowns because their teeth have been injured or developed a disease requiring treatment. That means you might already be hurting before you arrive for your procedure. Your dentist understands that you may be in pain and will apply a topical anesthetic to numb the area around the affected tooth before proceeding.
Some providers also offer sedatives, like nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or oral conscious sedation in pill form, to help you feel calm and relaxed throughout your visit.
Step #2: Cleaning Your Tooth
Next, your dental team will carefully remove any sections of decay or perform a root canal, if necessary. Then, they’ll sanitize your tooth to eradicate unwanted bacteria and other debris to avoid potential adverse effects, like developing tooth decay, gum disease, or an infection.
Step #3: Thinning Your Enamel
Your dentist will likely need to remove a small amount of enamel to ensure that your restoration will fit correctly without looking overly bulky and awkward, or causing dental or bite misalignments. This may cause some mild to moderate sensitivity after the medications wear off following your appointment.
Step #4: Making Impressions
Once your tooth has been shaped, your provider can make impressions of your teeth, gums, and bite alignment to send to a special dental lab to design your prosthetic to the correct dimensions. Today, many dentists use state-of-the-art technology to produce digital impressions for more comfortable and accurate results.
Step #5: Placing a Temporary Restoration
It can take a couple of weeks for the dental lab to deliver the finished product, and your tooth is vulnerable to additional damage or decay until it’s covered. As a result, your dentist will likely place a temporary restoration to safeguard your smile until the permanent one arrives.
Thankfully, getting a dental crown isn’t usually overly painful, and your dentist has ways to help you feel at ease throughout the procedure!
About the Practice
Dr. Shelli Pruski has more than 20 years of experience improving patients’ lives by enhancing their dental health. She earned her dental degree from The University of Texas Health Science Center Dental School at San Antonio, where she graduated with honors and received the Award for Clinical Excellence. Today, she offers a comprehensive menu of services to meet all your needs under one roof, including providing customized dental crowns. She utilizes state-of-the-art equipment to provide accurate restorations made to look as lifelike as possible for beautiful and reliable results. You can request an appointment on the website or call (830) 569-2500.