A Detailed Dental Crown Procedure: Helpful Things You Should Know

The Dental Crown Procedure is a common and straightforward dental process. However, most people often have concerns and questions about how the procedure will be performed, the expected outcomes, and the cases in which a dental crown procedure is recommended. This article will provide you with useful information to guide you throughout the process, ensuring you fully understand every aspect of your dental care journey and enabling you to make appropriate and informed decisions for yourself.
What Is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a fixed restoration that covers the entire surface of a tooth, helping to protect and restore the tooth to a size and shape similar to that of a natural tooth. It allows for normal contact with opposing teeth, enabling proper chewing of food. Crowns can be made from various materials, including porcelain, metal, or a combination of both, to suit different purposes depending on the tooth’s location and aesthetic needs. In addition to restoring shape and size, crowns are also used to secure dental bridges, protect teeth after root canal treatment, or cover a dental implant.
Why Is a Dental Crown Needed?
- Decayed or Damaged Teeth: When a tooth is severely decayed, chipped, or cracked, a dental crown helps cover it, prevents the crack from spreading, and protects the tooth from further damage caused by biting and chewing pressure.
- Strengthening Weak Teeth: When a tooth is worn down or weakened (due to grinding or other damage) or becomes fragile after a root canal treatment, it is more prone to cracking or breaking. A dental crown helps reinforce the tooth’s strength and protects it from fractures.
- Restoring Aesthetic Function: In cases where teeth are discolored or stained and cannot be effectively whitened, or when teeth are uneven, spaced, or misaligned, a dental crown can improve the color, provide a brighter smile, and adjust the shape and size of the teeth to achieve balance and a natural aesthetic.
- Anchoring a Dental Bridge: A dental crown is an essential component of a dental bridge restoration, helping to fill the gap caused by missing teeth and serving as a support to securely anchor the bridge in place.
- Covering Implants: In implant restorations, a dental crown serves to cover and protect the implant while restoring the function and aesthetics of the missing tooth.
Step-By-Step Dental Crown Procedure
Typically, at least two appointments are required to complete the dental crown procedure. The first visit involves examining and preparing the tooth, as well as taking impressions to fabricate the dental crown. The second visit is for permanently fitting and securing the crown. The detailed procedure follows:
First Visit
First, the dentist examines the condition of the tooth through direct observation and X-rays of the tooth and jawbone. After determining the specific condition, the dentist will consult with the patient and choose an appropriate treatment plan.
The tooth needs to be prepared to create enough space for the crown to be placed. The dentist will trim the enamel, with the amount removed depending on the type of crown being used. This process is performed under local anesthesia to ensure the patient has the most comfortable experience. For patients with severe tooth decay or damage, necessary treatments will be carried out during this step.
Once the tooth has been shaped, the next step is to take an impression of the tooth to fabricate a crown that fits perfectly with the natural teeth. This can be done using traditional impression trays or digital scanning techniques to create a more precise and well-fitting mold.
The impression is then sent to a laboratory where the dental crown will be custom-made, a process that typically takes 2–3 weeks. During this time, the dentist places a temporary crown to restore function and aesthetics. Temporary crowns are usually made from plastic or acrylic and are limited in durability and aesthetics compared to permanent crowns.
Second Visit
Once the new crown is ready, the dentist will schedule your second appointment. During this visit, the temporary crown will be removed, and the fit and color of the new crown will be carefully checked against your natural teeth.
Finally, the crown is secured in place with dental cement, and minor adjustments are made as needed. The dentist will also check the bite alignment to ensure accuracy, completing the procedure.
After the process is finished, the dentist will provide care instructions and schedule follow-up appointments for the patient.
Dental Crown Products in NSW Dental Lab
To achieve the best results for a dental crown procedure, in addition to ensuring the process is performed accurately and thoroughly, the creation of a suitable dental crown also plays an equally important role. Choosing a reputable laboratory that provides high-quality crowns and dental products ensures the procedure achieves the most optimal outcome.
NSW Dental Lab is confident that our team of technicians, with over 20 years of experience in the dental industry, can produce the highest-quality dental products to meet your needs. With a wide range of products, including monolithic zirconia, multilayer zirconia, HT zirconia, PFM, PFZ, and E.Max, dentists can select the most suitable option based on the condition and specific requirements of each patient.
Contact us today to receive the best offers!