How Does a Dentist Place a Crown?

At Abundant Dental Care, we realize that knowing what to expect for a dental crown can relieve stress. We want to educate our patients on the dental procedures we provide and help them feel at ease when they come to see us.

One of the dental services we offer is placing dental crowns in Utah. A crown is used to cover or “cap” a damaged tooth. It can be used to strengthen a weak tooth or be placed on top of a dental implant.

The following steps give an overview of the dental crown procedure. Of course, if you have any specific questions, we will be happy to answer them. But, this guide will help you know what to expect when you come in for your appointment.

1: The dental crown procedure begins with a local anesthetic.

This first step involves using local anesthetic to numb the tooth and surrounding area. This is a way to ensure you will feel more comfortable during the procedure.

2: An impression of the tooth is made.

A dental lab will fabricate the crown. In order to do so, we will take models of your bite to create a crown that fits your tooth perfectly. If the crown being placed is ceramic or porcelain, we will also take care to match the crown with the shade of your natural tooth.

3: The tooth is prepared.

A dental crown is designed to fit securely to your tooth and keep bacteria out. Prepping the tooth involves removing small amounts of your tooth in order to place the crown correctly. While this step is going on, your dentist might discover tooth decay. If this happens, the decay will be removed and a composite core will be placed on the tooth.

Then, the dentist will shape the tooth until it is ready. This step is very important so it usually takes the most time of any of the steps.

4: The final impression is taken.

It is essential to get an accurate impression of the prepared tooth. Small flaws can lead to a crown that doesn’t fit well.

Your dentist will take an impression of your tooth. This involves an impression tray being placed over the tooth, and you will be asked to bite down. The impression takes only a few minutes to set.

5: A temporary crown is made.

A temporary crown will be put onto the prepared tooth.

Using the impression made in the previous step, the dentist will place an acrylic resin material onto your tooth. This temporary crown will be shaped to fit your tooth, and any rough edges or issues will be removed carefully. A temporary cement is then used to secure the temporary crown.

6: The permanent crown is placed.

It usually takes around a week or so for the permanent crown to be made. We will work with you to set an appointment time that fits into your schedule for this second appointment.

During this second visit, the dentist will numb the prepared tooth with an anesthetic. This is because the tooth will need to be cleaned again before placing the permanent apparatus. If you have not previously had a root canal on the tooth, you probably will not need anesthetic.

The temporary crown is then removed, and the tooth is cleaned and dried. Then, your permanent crown will be placed! Once the crown is fitted properly, the cementation process will be completed. This involves keeping the tooth dry and a bonding agent to be placed on the tooth.

Now your permanent dental crown is placed and ready to go!

To find out more about the dental crown procedure in Utah, give us a call today at Abundant Dental Care. We are happy to tell you more and to schedule your appointment.