Dental Crown Procedures: What To Expect

Dental crowns are a restorative dental treatment option that can help improve the strength, function, and appearance of a damaged, decayed, discoloured, or crooked tooth. Here, the dentists at Southwest Dental Care in London share what to expect during a dental crown procedure. 

What is a Dental Crown?

A dental crown, also known as a cap, is a dental restoration that covers (or 'caps') a tooth to restore its shape, size and colour.

Dental crowns can help to improve the strength, function, and appearance of a damaged or decayed tooth that would otherwise need to be extracted and replaced.

Additionally, dental crowns can be used for cosmetic reasons, such as to cover an uneven or discoloured tooth and improve the overall appearance of your smile.

Crowns are quite strong due to the fact that they are often made of porcelain, a material that protects and strengthens the remaining tooth structure.

The Crown Procedure

To place a dental crown generally requires at least two appointments at your dental office. Once your dentist determines you need a crown, here's what you can expect at each appointment. 

The First Appointment

In order to prepare for a crown, your dentist will first examine your mouth and then prepare the tooth.

Your dentist will file the tooth down and scrape away some of the enamel to prepare it. After making an impression of the freshly-trimmed tooth and its neighbouring teeth, they will cover the tooth temporarily with a crown to keep it safe. Temporary cement is used to attach the temporary crown so that it can be removed easily once the permanent crown is prepared.

Your dental office will send your unique tooth impression to a dental laboratory to make your permanent crown, which may take several weeks. 

Using your impression, the laboratory technician is able to examine all aspects of your bite and jaw movements and sculpt a crown just for you. Your dentist will also be sure to determine the shade of your teeth to help the technician make a crown that will match the colour of the rest of your teeth. 

The Second Appointment

Once the crown is ready, you’ll return to your dental office for the second appointment. During this visit, your dentist will remove the temporary crown and place the permanent crown on your tooth.

First, the permanent crown is applied to the tooth and checked for a good fit, a good bite, and smooth margins. The crown is anchored with dental glue or permanent cement following any necessary adjustments.

Caring for a Dental Crown

Dental crowns can last from 10 to 20 years on average with proper maintenance. Because they are still vulnerable to damage, it's critical to be cautious when brushing and flossing around crowned teeth to avoid premature replacement.

To learn more about dental crowns and the options that are available to you, contact our London dentists today.