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Despite its royal-sounding name, dental crowns are one of the most common and effective ways to repair broken or decayed teeth. Thousands are placed every single day around the world, and whether you’re a noble lord or an honorable peasant, it always starts with a preparatory procedure. It surprises many patients who think their crown just goes on top of their damaged tooth—they’re half right! This first step ensures that a patient’s restoration not only has the perfect fit, but will stand the test of time as well.
First Things First
After a dentist has examined a patient and determined that their problem tooth needs to be restored with a crown, the next thing they do is remove a small amount of enamel.
While this might seem to just be making things worse, it’s actually vital.
Firstly, it enables your dentist to gently shave down or file off the weak or brittle enamel that won’t last anyway, and they reshape and smooth the tooth while doing so. This serves a few different purposes. It will provide an even and stable surface for the crown to sit on, plus taking away some enamel will make sure it doesn’t sit too high and throw off your bite.
Once your tooth is ready, your dentist will take an impression and send it to a lab to fabricate your crown. In the meantime, a temporary will be placed. Altogether, this process guarantees your final result will look natural and function like a real tooth as well!
How Does It Feel?
Local anesthetic will be applied so that you basically won’t feel anything in the chair. If you’re especially anxious at the dentist, nitrous oxide can help calm your nerves while not making you drowsy afterward. Your prepared tooth might feel a little sore or sensitive in the days after the procedure, but these symptoms are typically mild and can be easily managed with OTC medication.
All Coming Together
When your final crown is ready, you’ll return to your dentist’s office where they’ll cement it into place. Thanks to the preparation from earlier, it should be a secure fit that perfectly aligns with your bite. Dental crowns allow patients to keep their natural teeth as well as avoid the expense of removing and replacing them, meaning taking the time to properly prepare is definitely worth it!
About the Author
An honors graduate of the Case Western Reserve School of Dental Medicine with decades of experience, Dr. Monica Mattson is proud to put her extensive knowledge to work for our community. Dental crowns are among the many services that she and our team offer to help our patients achieve smiles that are just as healthy as they are attractive.
If you have a broken or aching tooth that might benefit from a crown, request an appointment at Diamond Dental of Owings Mills by clicking here or calling 443-394-2273.