For people with a good deal of damage or decay on one or more teeth, dental crowns can be life-altering. After the prosthetic is placed by your dentist, it blends seamlessly into your mouth, restoring your natural smile.
If you’ve ever been curious about how these little teeth with big impact are made, continue reading.
First Step: The Dental Exam
Your dental crown’s journey begins with a trip to your dentist for a thorough exam. You and your dentist will discuss your smile goals and see if a crown is the best option going forward.
If you and your dentist agree, the next step is to take X-rays to examine the structure of your tooth to see if it will support a crown. Once they determine that your tooth and underlaying structures are good, they’ll begin the cleaning process.
Next, your dentist will numb your mouth to make sure you don’t feel any pain during the cleaning. They will then use specialized instruments to clean any broken or decayed tooth, shaping it into a post that will support your new prosthetic.
Finally, an impression of your teeth is taken using a special putty that sets quickly. This impression is then sent to a dental lab for the next step. Before you leave the office, you’ll be fitted with a temporary crown while you wait for your permanent one.
Second Step: Fabrication
Once the impression has left your dentist, it travels to a dental lab where special technicians take over. Using the impression, a dental technician will create a cast using dental stone.
Next, the cast is built up with wax and used to make a mold for the porcelain crown to be created with. The technician then pours a mix of the materials the crown is made of into the mold and places it in a processing oven to solidify it.
In the final step, another technician will build up layers of enamel on the finished prosthetic until it looks like a real tooth. This finished prosthetic is then shipped back to your dentist’s office.
Third Step: Installation
When your permanent crown arrives, you’ll schedule a follow-up appointment with your dentist to have it placed.
Your dentist carefully removes the temporary crown and cleans the underlying tooth before sealing it with a special dental cement. Your dentist will then place the finished permanent crown over your tooth and let it cure.
The curing process only takes a few hours to complete, so in that time you’ll want to avoid eating any hard, or sticky foods to prevent it from dislodging.
And that’s it! With the crown completed and placed in your mouth, you can enjoy the benefits of a restored tooth that looks aesthetic and natural.
About the Author
Dr. Michael Melton believes that great dentistry starts with building lasting relationships with patients. He graduated from the Baylor College of Dentistry and has taken many advanced training courses through Spear Education. He has since continued his education in the latest dental technology and techniques through membership in multiple professional organizations like The Academy of General Dentistry. To schedule a dental crown consultation at Oak Point Dental, call (972) 727-4415 or visit the website to explore other services.
