A dental crown is a restoration used to fix and protect a cracked or broken tooth. The crown provides support for the tooth so it can function normally. Your dentist will ensure that your dental crowns help your tooth function optimally again and prevent dental issues and pain. They’ll also make sure the crown looks great, too.
To start, your Providence, RI dentist will discuss whether you may need or want sedation medication before your procedure. If you do, we can prescribe oral medication that you take before your appointment, or we have in-office options, like nitrous oxide.
After numbing the tooth, your dentist will use a laser or high-speed handpiece to remove some of the enamel on top of and around your tooth. In essence, they’ll make the tooth shorter and skinnier. They do this so the crown can fit over the tooth.
During this time, they’ll check the tooth for decay and remove it if necessary.
Once the tooth is fully prepared, the next step is to take impressions of the tooth. There are two ways your dentist can create this model: Taking an impression of the tooth with dental putty or using an intraoral camera and CAD/CAM system to create a 3-D model.
It can take two to four weeks to fabricate your permanent crown using the impressions taken during your first appointment. In the meantime, your dentist will make a temporary crown for you to wear to protect the tooth and keep you comfortable. You’ll return to the office a few weeks later. They’ll try the crown on and adjust it if necessary. Finally, they’ll permanently cement it into place.
When a dentist uses the CAD/CAM system, the crown can be ready even sooner.
Dental crowns are typically made of gold, porcelain fused to a biocompatible metal, or porcelain.
A dental crown – also known as a “cap” – fits over your natural tooth. The crown helps to:
Dental crowns are often used to support a tooth with a crack (to help prevent it from breaking) or one that’s already fractured. However, there are other uses for dental crowns, including:
Dental crowns are also used in other restorative procedures. For instance, if you get a dental implant, a crown will fit over the implant, so it looks like a natural tooth. Similarly, a crown acts as an abutment in a dental bridge. The abutments are fused to a pontic (fake tooth) to provide a fixed restoration to replace a missing tooth.
High-quality restorative work requires training, practice, and continuing education. Our team is determined to provide you with the very best care because doing so can help reduce your risk of dental diseases. The Comfort Dental team takes the time to learn about the latest tools, techniques, and materials to ensure the best result. They want you to walk out of our offices with restorative work that functions optimally and looks as beautiful as your natural teeth.
Are you concerned about your teeth? Let us put your mind at ease!
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