If you’re scheduled to get a dental crown, you’re most definitely not alone. Crowns are one of the most common restorative dental procedures, often used to repair damaged, weak, or decayed teeth. Whether it’s for protection after a recent root canal or to restore a cracked tooth, a crown from our Brighton, MI, dentists helps preserve your natural smile and bite function. The good news? The whole thing is straightforward, routine, and nothing to stress about.
Here’s what dental crown treatment typically looks like from start to finish.
Dental crowns aren’t just about aesthetics, they’re built to restore strength and function. If you’ve had significant decay or a fracture, a crown acts like a helmet for your tooth. It reinforces what’s left and seals out bacteria.
If you’re , it’s especially important, since the tooth is no longer alive and more prone to breaking without reinforcement.
The traditional dental crown procedure usually takes two visits. The first one is all about preparation. Our local family dentists will begin by examining the tooth and taking X-rays to ensure a crown is the best solution. If there’s infection or deep decay, treatment will need to happen first, sometimes with emergency dental care if the damage is severe.
Once cleared, the tooth is reshaped to make room for the crown. This involves removing a small portion of enamel from all sides. After shaping, a quick digital dental impression is taken. This impression is sent to a lab, where your porcelain dental crown is custom-made to match your bite and tooth shade.
Before you leave, a temporary crown is placed to protect your tooth while you wait for your new dental crown.
It usually takes about a few weeks for a dental lab to create a custom porcelain dental crown. During this time, you’ll wear the temporary crown. It’s important to treat it gently while you’re outside of our Brighton, MI, dental office.
Avoid sticky or overly hard foods, and chew on the opposite side of your mouth if possible. If the temporary crown becomes loose or falls off, contact our dentists so we’re aware of what’s occurred. Keeping the tooth protected prevents damage and discomfort while you’re in between visits, so we’ll want to remedy the situation sooner than later.
When your final restoration is ready, you’ll come back for dental crown placement. Our dentists will remove the temporary crown and check the fit and color of the permanent one. Minor adjustments might also be made on the spot.
Once everything looks and feels right, the crown is cemented into place. You’ll bite down a few times to confirm the fit. After that, you’re good to go. It might feel a little unfamiliar at first, but within a few days, most people forget they even have a new dental crown.
Proper care is key to keeping your porcelain crown in top shape. Brush and floss like normal, and don’t skip routine teeth cleanings. While porcelain is durable, it’s not indestructible, so avoid using your teeth to open things and chewing on ice or pens.
If you experience pain when biting, lingering sensitivity, or the crown feels loose, call our office. These could be early signs of an issue needing attention. And if you ever suffer trauma to a crowned tooth, urgent dental care may be needed to assess and restore it.
Whether you’re getting a or as part of a broader treatment plan, the process is manageable and effective. The two-visit procedure with our , is designed to give you lasting results without unnecessary discomfort. With proper care, a dental crown can protect your tooth for many years. Call Schaefer Dental Group today at (810) 229-2126 to request an appointment.