How are dental crowns placed?
Dental crown placement typically requires two visits to our office. During your first appointment, your tooth will be prepped. Placing a dental crown requires removing a layer of natural tooth structure. This step creates room for your crown and ensures that it does not protrude.
After local anesthesia and possibly sedation are used, your dentist will use a drill to gently remove part of the natural tooth structure. Once your tooth is prepped, digital impressions will be made. Our office works with a trusted dental lab that will fabricate your crown from a material that meets your specific needs.
While your final restoration is fabricated, we place a temporary crown on your tooth. Once your new crown arrives, one of our doctors will ensure that it is a perfect fit before cementing your crown in place.
Aftercare and Maintenance
Caring for your new crown is straightforward. The underlying bone and surrounding soft tissues must be kept healthy. Good oral hygiene habits like brushing twice a day and flossing regularly can prevent tooth decay and gum disease that can compromise your crown.
Crowns are strong but still susceptible to damage. Avoid using your crown to bite hard objects or tear open packages. Sticky foods can dislodge crowns while hard foods can damage them. Be mindful of what you eat, and treat your new restoration with the same care you would your natural teeth.
With proper care and maintenance (including regular visits to our office for cleanings and checkups), your crown can last for 10 or more years. If your crown does become damaged or dislodged, one of our doctors can repair or reattach the restoration. Eventually, every crown will need to be replaced.
