The traditional method for dental crowns is completed in two visits. The first visit involves examining your teeth, trimming them, taking scans and impressions, and placing temporary crowns. It takes around an hour to complete these steps. Then you’ll return for a second visit once the permanent crown has been created by a dental lab and provided to your dentist. The steps are discussed further in-depth below:
Dentist Examines Your Teeth
Before your dentist adds a crown to your tooth or teeth, they will first examine your teeth and prepare them. During an examination, your dentist takes several X-rays. These assist in checking the bone structure. Also, the X-ray images show whether the roots of the affected teeth are intact.
Affected Teeth are Trimmed and Shaped
Next, your dentist will numb your gum tissue. Then they will begin trimming your tooth and any surrounding teeth along the sides and chewing surface to prepare for a temporary crown. If your teeth have damage or decay, filling material helps to build up the tooth structure.
Taking Impressions and Scans of Your Teeth
After that, the dentist makes impressions of the teeth using a special paste. Digital scanners may also be used. Your dentist is keen to ensure that the dental crowns align as close as possible to the original teeth.
Dentist Creates Temporary Crowns
Your dentist covers the prepped teeth with temporary crowns. Meanwhile, the teeth impressions are sent to a dental laboratory to be created per specifications in the appropriate material.
Your Dentist Places Permanent Crowns
In a few days or weeks, you’ll return for a second visit. Your dentist will remove the temporary crowns. By now, the permanent crowns have arrived from the dental lab. The dentist checks that they match and fit the affected area. Once verified, your dentist applies local anesthesia to numb the area. The dentist then cements the new crowns.
And there is sometimes a follow-up appointment a little later to check that the permanent dental crown is fitted correctly. We are always cautious about doing whatever is necessary to restore your smile in any way you want. We love to see you smile!