Studies estimate that nearly 23 million dental crowns are made every year, meaning millions of patients need to have their teeth prepared by dentists in order to have them placed. If you learn that you need a restoration to protect and strengthen a compromised tooth, but you aren’t sure what to expect, you can learn more about the process by reading below.
Dental Crown Preparation
The reason why you’re getting a dental crown will play a large part in the preparation process. Here’s what you can expect as your dentist prepares your tooth for the restoration:
- Treat the Oral Health Problem At-Hand: If you have an underlying infection that’s causing a toothache, you will likely need root canal treatment before your tooth can be prepared for a dental crown. Or, if your pain is caused by a cavity, you’ll need to have your tooth filled and smoothed out before preparation.
- Administer Local Anesthesia: Your dentist in Tallahassee will administer local anesthesia near the affected tooth to completely numb the area and make the treatment as comfortable as possible.
- Prepare the Tooth Structure: To allow the permanent crown to lay flush with the surrounding teeth, your dentist will remove a very small amount of your tooth’s enamel.
Temporary Dental Crown Placement
After Taking impressions of your prepared tooth, your dentist will then apply a temporary dental crown over it to protect it. This crown isn’t designed for longevity—it’s just crafted to last you until your permanent crown has been prepared by the dental laboratory, which can take about two weeks. As soon as your dentist receives your permanent crown, they’ll remove your temporary and cement the porcelain or ceramic crown over your tooth, which will continue protecting it for years to come.
Caring for Your Smile While You Wait for Your Permanent Crown
Until the treatment is complete and your permanent crown is cemented atop your tooth, you’ll need to take extra care of your tooth. You can do this by following these helpful tips:
- Avoid foods that are chewy, sticky, or hard.
- Keep up with your regular oral hygiene routine.
- Chew gently on the side of your mouth with your temporary crown.
- Try to steer clear of sweet foods to prevent decay.
- Avoid alcoholic beverages that can erode the cement.
- Avoid very hot or cold foods that could cause dental sensitivity.
If you have any questions or concerns while you’re awaiting your permanent dental crown, be sure to reach out to your dentist for guidance.
If you’ve never received a dental crown before, don’t worry! The preparation process may be new, but it’s something that your dentist has done thousands of times, so you can expect the process to be comfortable and streamlined.
About the Practice
Drs. Ransey Boyd and Kirstin Walther are two highly skilled and experienced dentists that are passionate about providing high-quality preventive and restorative dentistry. With a goal of keeping oral health problems at bay, they aim to maintain the natural integrity of their patients’ teeth, hopefully throughout their entire lives! For questions or to learn more about restorative dental services like dental crowns, visit Boyd & Walther Tallahassee Dental Associates’ website or call 850-878-4117.