Dental crown procedures are performed often. And it doesn’t take too long to get one. Here’s what you need to know.

Usually, a cavity is fixed with a filling. Yet if the decay has eroded a large portion of a tooth, it likely cannot be treated with a simple filling. But there are other options for a severely decayed or broken tooth. For instance, a dental crown can repair the tooth and keep most of it intact. 

Unlike a veneer that covers only the tooth’s front surface, a dental crown or cap fits over the entire tooth. Crowns can restore functionality to a severely decayed or broken tooth and are often fitted after root canal therapy. Crowns are also used to anchor a dental bridge or as the final piece of a dental implant. And all this can be done during a relatively quick procedure.

What happens when you get a crown?

According to the American College of Prosthodontists, getting a dental crown is one of today’s most common restorative procedures. The group estimates some 2.3 million implant-supported crowns are made each year.

You’ll need to visit your dentist two times before you receive your permanent crown. Here’s what to expect during those appointments:

First appointment. The tooth is shaved down slightly to make way for the crown. But you shouldn’t feel any discomfort since you’ll be given local anesthesia. After the filing is complete, an impression of your mouth will be taken from either a digital image or a putty-like material. A dental lab will make a permanent crown from that impression. In the meantime, a temporary crown is placed on the tooth to protect it. The entire procedure takes one to two hours. The wait for the permanent crown takes about two weeks.

Second appointment. Once the permanent crown arrives, your dentist removes the temporary crown. Your dentist will then check the permanent crown’s color, shape, and how it aligns with your other teeth. If it fits, the crown is then cemented to your natural tooth. This is a much shorter visit that lasts about 30 minutes.

All told, the entire process takes 90 minutes to two-and-a-half hours to complete. Afterward, you may experience minor tenderness around the gums where the crown was placed, but the discomfort should only last a day or two. The crown may feel a bit odd in your mouth at first. Again, that will fade in a few days as your mouth adjusts to the crown.

Some dental offices offer same-day crowns. Using CAD/CAM (computer-aided design and manufacturing) technology, the crown is cut from a ceramic block in an on-site milling machine. Your dentist will decide if this process is right for you.

Caring for your crown

Permanent crowns can be made from the following materials:

• Metal.
• Porcelain fused to metal.
• Pressed ceramic.
• All porcelain.
• All ceramic. 

Resin is used for temporary crowns. While permanent crowns are extremely strong and can last up to 15 years, you must take care of them as you would your natural teeth, and that means:

• Brushing daily with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush.
• Flossing between teeth to remove decay-causing bacteria and plaque.
• Rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash.
• Checking in with your dentist twice a year.

Beyond standard dental hygiene habits, crowns need a bit of extra care. While durable, your crown may chip if you bite on hard, crunchy foods. If you grind your teeth at night, ask your dentist for a nightguard. All these practices can extend the life of your crown and maintain the health of your natural tooth.

See the crown specialists in Wyoming

Schedule an appointment at Espire’s Casper, Wyoming, location today! Our highly trained dentists can repair your tooth with a perfect crown. Don’t live near our Casper, Wyoming, office? Find one of our other locations near you.

1530 Centennial Ct. 
Suite A 
Casper, WY 82609