Saving Smiles: Preparation and Placement of Tooth Crowns

Dental crowns or caps are covers placed over decayed or damaged teeth. They commonly restore broken, fractured, worn down, misshapen, or severely decayed teeth. Crowns are also placed on weak or brittle teeth to prevent damage. In some cases, they may be used for cosmetic enhancement if technicalities avoid the placement of porcelain veneers.

Exam

The first step in the process is an examination and consultation with one of the doctors at Pleasant Dental. Unless you have a background in dentistry, it is unlikely that you can tell if you will need a crown simply by looking at the tooth in the mirror.

Sometimes the damage isn’t as bad as it seems, and a filling or veneer will do the trick. Other times, you might only see a small cavity, but it is intense or has spread behind the enamel, causing more structural damage than is apparent.

Restoring health

Root canal treatment is not required for every tooth that needs a crown. However, if the pulp (soft tissue in the middle of the tooth) is injured or infected, it will be necessary before the tooth can be restored. If you need a root canal treatment, one of the doctors at Pleasant Dental will discuss it with you during the initial consultation and examination.

Shaping the tooth

Before beginning any work, the doctor will numb your tooth to ensure you remain comfortable throughout the process. Next, any decayed, diseased, or damaged portion of the tooth is removed. Depending on the healthy structure that remains, the doctor may reduce the tooth further or build it up with dental materials. The size and shape must be optimized to affect the crown’s fit and durability significantly.

Impressions

Once the tooth is prepared, the doctor will take impressions, which the dental laboratory will use to create your permanent crown. At this time, he will also fit you with a provisional restoration to protect the tooth and make it functional until your crown is ready.

Completing the procedure

We will schedule your next appointment when the permanent crown is ready. The doctor will remove the provisional, clean the tooth, and put the new crown with temporary adhesive. This allows him to check the fit, bite alignment, color, and other factors. If everything is correct, he will remove the temporary adhesive and permanently cement the crown.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, call Pleasant Dental^®  at (708) 576-1900.

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