Getting a Dental Crown from a General Dentist

Your general dentist may advise you to get dental crowns for different reasons: A severely discolored tooth, a weak tooth that needs additional strength or to enhance a tooth’s appearance. You can choose from different types of crowns, including resin, porcelain, ceramic and stainless steel. Though cosmetic crowns are typically created from ceramic or porcelain. Since all these varieties have their pros and cons, the dentist will evaluate your situation and suggest the best material for your tooth.

A minimum of two dental appointments is required for dental crown placement. In this article, we will address every detail you need to know about getting a dental crown from a general dentist.

Receiving dental crowns

The first dental appointment

When you go for your first visit, the dentist will take X-ray scans of the tooth and jawbone. This is to check for signs of decay and any factor that may cause infection or harm to the tooth pulp. In some cases, a patient may need to undergo a root canal procedure before the crown placement.

The tooth will have to be reshaped to create space for the crown – the crown material to be used will determine the level of reshaping. The dentist will file down the top and sides of the tooth, based on the crown’s shape. If tooth decay is present, it will be treated at this stage.

In some patients, the decay or damage to the tooth may be so severe that the tooth may not have enough structure to hold the crown. In this situation, the dentist will make up for the lost structure using fillings so that the tooth can take a crown.

After shaping the tooth properly, the general dentist will take an impression of the tooth and the one on the opposite jaw that contacts the crown when the patient bites. This is to ensure that the new crown fits the tooth and connects with the other side of the mouth properly.

At this stage, details of the tooth must be taken so that the new crown will match perfectly in shape and color. Usually, the new crown should have the same color as the surrounding teeth so that its presence in the mouth is not conspicuous.

Finally, the dentist will place a temporary crown on the tooth to shield it while the new crown is being prepared and ready for placement. It will be removed during the second dental appointment before placing the permanent crown.

The second visit

The impression of the tooth will be sent to a dental lab where the permanent crown will be created. When it is ready (which usually takes about three weeks), the patient will have to revisit the general dentist for the permanent crown.

When you visit for the second appointment, the temporary crown will be removed first. Before sealing the permanent crown into place, the dentist will first ensure that the size and color of the crown match that of the natural and surrounding teeth.

The dentist will apply local anesthesia to numb the area then use dental cement to seal the new crown in place. The shape of the crown may be adjusted further to make it a perfect fit.

Final note

Dental crowns are a common and effective tooth replacement procedure. They are subtle and durable, providing a natural appearance to your smile. Contact a dental professional for information about receiving dental crowns.

Request an appointment here: https://www.lilburnfamilydentistry.com or call Lilburn Family Dentistry at (770) 800-0178 for an appointment in our Lilburn office.

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