If you’re getting a dental crown it’s important to understand the process from start to finish.
Whether you’ve been told you need a dental crown or you are wondering if you could benefit from this restoration it’s important to understand what is involved in getting one. Our Kalamazoo, MI, dentist Dr. Mark Richardson prides himself on educating his patients on any and all procedures they are about to undergo so there are no surprises. Here’s what you should understand about getting a dental crown,
Before Getting a Crown
There are many reasons our Kalamazoo, MI, general dentist may recommend a dental crown. If you have a tooth that is fractured, infected or severely decayed then you may need a crown to restore the tooth’s functionality and durability. Therefore, the first step is to treat the tooth prior to placing a crown. If there is an infection inside the tooth we will need to perform a root canal. If there is decay we will need to remove it first. Once the damaged enamel has been removed and the tooth has been reshaped for the crown the next step is to take impressions.
The impressions that we take of your mouth will be sent to a dental lab, where they will work with your dental molds to craft a crown that fits perfectly over your tooth. Once the impression and data have been sent to a dental lab we will need to wait a couple of weeks for them to make and return the crown. In the meantime, we will place a temporary crown over the tooth until your permanent crown is made.
Getting a Crown
Once your permanent crown has been fabricated and sent back to us it’s time for a final fitting and placement. We will remove the temporary crown and then place the permanent crown over the tooth to check the fit and bite. If the crown feels comfortable and you’re happy with the way it looks then we will apply a dental adhesive to the crown and the new tooth and then harden it into place so the crown is permanently bonded over the tooth.
After the Crown is Placed
It may take a couple of weeks to get used to chewing, speaking or biting down with your new tooth. Know that this is normal and any odd sensations will go away with time. The crown will look and feel just like a real tooth so after some time you won’t even think about it. You don’t even have to give your crown special care. Just make sure you brush and floss the tooth to prevent plaque buildup, and visit the dentist every six months for cleanings and checkups.
Now that we’ve started a discussion about getting a dental crown it’s natural to have questions. Don’t worry, our Kalamazoo, MI, dental team can help. Call our office today at (269) 343-6907 to schedule a consultation.