Has your dentist recommended restoring the structure, function, or appearance of your tooth with a dental crown? This treatment can simultaneously shield a tooth from dental damage, preserve its health, and enhance its look.
Though a crown offers many benefits, some patients may feel nervous about undergoing dental work. Knowing what to expect from your treatment can make you feel more at ease in the dentist’s chair. To relieve any lingering dental fear, Dr. Sahil Goyal, a dentist serving patients in Columbia, MD, outlines each step of the dental crown procedure.
What Happens When You Receive Dental Crowns
Evaluating Oral Health
Before pursuing restorative dental work with a crown, your dentist will first want to look at your smile. They will check that you do not need additional treatment, such as cavity removal or root canal therapy, before the final placement of a crown. The dentist will also thoroughly examine the tooth. This will ensure that a dental crown is the best method of achieving your oral health goals.
Preparing Tooth Enamel
If you and your dentist decide to restore your smile with a dental crown, the dentist will begin the treatment by preparing the surface of your teeth. This involves scraping away a small amount of enamel from the affected tooth in order to make room for the ceramic cap of the crown.
You can receive a local anesthetic to numb the area and alleviate potential discomfort during this process. Your dentist can provide you with a temporary crown to protect your vulnerable tooth as they make your permanent cap.
Taking Impressions of Your Smile
Once your tooth is prepared, your dentist will take an impression of your smile. This will be done with either a physical mold or digital imaging. The dentist uses the impression to construct a personalized dental crown that fits comfortably and securely to your unique tooth.
They will ensure the crown also looks both beautiful and natural with your surrounding natural teeth. The permanent crown may take several weeks to be made in the dental lab.
Securing the Dental Crown to Your Tooth
When the crown is ready, you will return to your dentist’s office to have the cap placed over your vulnerable tooth. The dentist will seal it into place using dental cement. With proper care and maintenance, the crown can remain over the tooth for fifteen or more years.
The dentist completes the procedure with a final polish. They will check your bite to ensure the crown will not disrupt your oral functions once you leave their office.
Restore Your Smile with Dental Crowns in Columbia, MD
Columbia Family Dentist offers dental crowns and other restorative treatments to patients in Columbia, MD. Dr. Goyal can also provide general, implant, and cosmetic dental solutions, including teeth straightening with Invisalign, for patients of any age. To schedule a consultation with our practice, contact our office online or reach a member of our staff by phone at 410.670.8211.