How long does a permanent crown take to put on?

A dental crown is used to enhance the overall appearance of your teeth as well as to improve your oral health. It is basically a tooth-shaped cap that is placed over the tooth to restore its size, function, and shape. Read more to learn about the dental crown procedure and if you need one.

What Are Dental Crowns Made of?

Different materials are used to make dental crowns, including porcelain fused to metal, metal alloys, ceramics, composite resin, and porcelain. Crowns are usually colored to match your natural teeth color. Your dentist will consider these factors to create the most suitable dental crowns for you:

• The color or shade of the tooth
• The function and location of the tooth
• Your personal preference
• The gum tissue’s position
• The amount of tooth that is visible when you smile

When Is a Dental Crown Needed?

A tooth is restored using a dental crown in the following situations:

• To cover a poorly shaped or discolored tooth to improve your smile
• To protect a weak tooth from decay, breaks or cracks
• To protect the restored tooth if you had a root canal treatment
• To restore a broken tooth
• To treat a cavity that is too large for a filling
• To hold a dental bridge in position
• To make a cosmetic modification

How Is the Dental Crown Procedure Performed? How Long Does It Take?

The dental crown procedure requires two visits to the dentist. Here are the steps involved:

Preparing Your Tooth for a Dental Crown

This step typically takes 50 to 90 minutes to complete. First, your dentist will remove any decay if present and measure your tooth’s outer portion to ensure the crown will fit properly and precisely. Then your dentist will build up the core of the tooth if the crown requires additional support. After reshaping your tooth, your dentist will take its impression using a digital scanner, paste, or putty to create the crown.

Receiving the Temporary Crown

Your dentist will provide a temporary crown to protect the prepared tooth while your permanent dental crown is being made, which may take less than two weeks. Your tooth may become sensitive to cold and hot when you have a temporary crown, so avoid eating sticky foods and chewing gum. You may receive your dental crown on the same day if your dentist has a special tool for making the crown.

Receiving the Permanent Crown

Your temporary crown will be replaced with a permanent one in your mouth when the latter is ready.  Before placing the new crown, your dentist will check the fit and color of the crown. If everything is okay, the crown will be cemented in position. This step is usually completed in about 20 to 30 minutes.

How Much Do Crowns Cost?

The price of dental crowns may differ depending on where you live and on the category of crown selected. A crown for a dental implant can be costlier than a regular crown. A porcelain crown might cost more compared to a metal crown. As many insurance policies, generally cover crown procedures to a certain extent, make sure to consult your dental insurance company before undergoing the procedure. Some dental offices also offer flexible in-house payment options for their patients to make the treatment affordable.

Contact us to learn more about the dental crown procedure or to schedule a visit to our dental office today!

One common procedure many people undergo at the dentist is dental crowns installation. After all, it’s a treatment option with a wide application of uses. Dental crowns are often recommended for patients who need extra fillings on certain teeth. This can occur when a patient undergoes a root canal or needs a large filling that exceeds the natural tooth structure. Other than being a curative treatment, crowns are also recommended for cosmetic purposes.

If your dentist has recommended that you get crowns installed on a few teeth, here are the basics of the placement, preparation, and installation processes:

Placing a Temporary Crown

Before installing the permanent crown, the dentist will have to place a temporary crown. The purpose of the temporary crown is to keep the prepared tooth from moving as well as to keep it from contamination before the tooth is filled. No movement must occur in the prepared tooth as it can cause problems in the fitting of the permanent crown.

Those having permanent crowns installed should note that the procedure can cause their teeth to become extremely hypersensitive to temperature and pressure. If you experience sensitivity and discomfort, let your dentist know as they may have to redo the process of making a final impression and fabricating a permanent crown.

Preparing the Tooth’s Crown

In preparing the crown of the tooth before it is filled, the dentist will first take a small impression of the affected tooth. The purpose of the impression is to ensure the size of the tooth that needs to be filled. The dentist will then fill the impression tray with an acrylic resin material. After one to two minutes, the material will have set and the impression can be removed from your mouth.

At this point, the temporary crown can now be shaped according to the size of the area that needs to be filled. To secure the temporary crown onto the tooth, the dentist will place a temporary cement over the tooth. The dentist will make sure that there are no rough or sharp edges surrounding the crown and that there are no hindrances to biting using the upper and lower teeth.

A permanent crown typically takes around seven to ten business days to be completed. Once it’s ready, the dentist can cement it to your teeth and make it permanent. The first part of the procedure is the injection of a local anesthetic to numb the affected tooth and its surrounding tissues. The dentist can thereafter remove the temporary crown from the tooth. Then, the dentist will clean the tooth and any surrounding teeth thoroughly.

When the tooth is completely dry, the dentist can start putting on the permanent crown onto the tooth while checking for possible contact between the teeth. The dentist will use dental floss to make sure that the crown will fit properly. Once the crown is secured, the dentist can start the cementation process. The dentist will first clean and dry the tooth by isolating it from saliva and applying a desensitizing agent to secure the permanent crown as well as possible.

Conclusion

When you visit your dentist, it’s essential to understand the reason behind every procedure. If you have other queries regarding your permanent crown treatment, don’t hesitate to bring them up with your dentist.

Seeking a cosmetic dental procedure? If you’re looking for highly skilled dentists in Ann Arbor and Waterford, MI, we’re the ones for you. Schedule an appointment with us today!