With a success rate of 80.9% after 5 years, tooth crowns have become the most common dental restorative procedure that can help restore damaged teeth. Whether you have been through an accident that affected your teeth or are facing tooth decay, a tooth crown is the best solution for all conditions and cases. Tooth crowns showed a survival rate of 61.8% over 20 years.
It is essential to understand the procedure of dental crowns before you consider going for it. The following article will help you know what you should expect during your visit to a walk-in dentist or a dental clinic for tooth crowns.
Tooth crown
A tooth crown is a tooth-shaped cap that is placed on the top of an impacted tooth. Whether a broken tooth or a decayed one, the tooth crown covers it up with its natural aesthetics. A tooth crown fits perfectly over your tooth, resembling a natural tooth. Sometimes, the dentist might remove a piece of enamel from your tooth to perfectly bond the tooth crown to the tooth. In severe cases, tooth extraction is needed before placing a crown.
When is a tooth crown needed?
There are many reasons why one may need a tooth crown. Some of them are listed below:
- Multiple Cavities: Cavities on a single tooth weaken the tooth, and fillings are impossible in this condition. The dentist will recommend the tooth extraction because of the risk of decay. In such a case dental crown is recommended with a higher success rate.
- Root Canal: The root canal procedure leaves a hole when the pulp is removed. So crown seals the hole and gives strength to the tooth.
- Large cavities: The large cavities cannot be filled so the only solution left is the tooth crown.
- Restoring broken or damaged teeth: Crowns help to repair or cover severely damaged teeth.
- Improves smile: Patients can make their smile better by covering the discolored, broken, or deformed teeth.
- Provides support: A dental crown is also necessary to provide support to the bridge between two healthy teeth.
The procedure of a Dental Crown
The entire process of a tooth crown is usually followed up after a tooth extraction, broken teeth, or severe tooth damage. The entire process is divided into two main steps. The preparatory visitor and the second visit when the crown is installed.
- Preparatory Visit
During this visit, the dentist takes a complete X-ray of the mouth and checks the roots of teeth to discover and identify the oral issues. In most cases, a root canal procedure is completed first and then a dental crown is done. The dentist often uses filling material to build certain parts of the mouth.
- Numbing the tooth
Dentists numb the tooth or area to avoid any discomfort or pain. This will surely make the process easy for tooth extraction, root canal, or fillings.
- Dental impressions
During the first visit, even if it is a walk-in dentist visit, do clear all of your concerns related to the procedure. The main objective of Crown is to encourage a healthy lifestyle. This makes eating effortless and enables an individual to maintain a good lifestyle. So for this, the dentist takes complete impressions of teeth. The physical impression is taken through the putty material or a digital scan is taken by the handheld scanner.
- Temporary crown
It takes two or usually three weeks to make the new crown until then a temporary one is placed which is made of acrylic or resin.
- Second visit
- Get the Crown
During the second visit, the temporary crown is removed first if it is placed in the mouth. Dentists surely check the color as well as the fit of the permanent crown to avoid adjustments. After this, the actual tooth crown process will start.
After the local anesthesia, the permanent crown is cemented. The procedure for dental crowns remains the same for all patients.
The final step
Even the walk-in dentist always takes the necessary steps before and after the crown placement. The crown helps to align the teeth and enables them to bite more appropriately. After an impression is created, the dentist delivers it to the laboratory for the permanent crown.
After placing the permanent crown, the dentist makes sure that it fits perfectly in terms of shape and color. The dentist ensures that the patient feels comfortable after the crown placement.
How long does the dental crown last?
The dental crown lasts for at least 15 years. Due to its longevity, people always prefer to it. A walk-in dentist may assist in the wear and tear of the tooth but cannot determine the replacement options.
After getting a tooth crown, avoid habits like clenching or grinding of teeth or biting into hard objects like fingernails, hard candy, or even ice.
Aftercare tips
The dentist always ensures that the patient follows a painless or simple dental crown procedure. Even the walk-in dentists provide the best instructions and aftercare tips. If the tooth extraction before the crown placement is done properly, the dental crown can be well maintained and have a serious yet positive impact.
The aftercare tips to enhance the longevity of dental crowns, make sure to follow the aftercare tips.
- Make sure to brush teeth regularly twice a day and floss more often to eliminate the chances of tartar or
- Avoid putting pressure on the new crown.
- Use a good mouthwash to remove harmful bacteria and let go of dental plaque.
- Avoid eating chewy, crunchy, or hard foods.
- Avoid clenching or grinding the teeth.
- It is good to follow deep dental cleanings
Recovery period
The recovery period after the crown is short but it is good to follow proper care tips. Even after following proper care tips, patients may come across an emergency, so it is good to follow up with any walk-in dentist.
The pain and symptoms after a dental crown are similar to tooth extraction; the tooth may feel different at the beginning.
Conclusion
The types and conditions to get a tooth crown may vary from patient to patient but the procedure remains the same. Even during an emergency case, a walk-in dentist will also recommend or explain the same procedure.
So do not hesitate to reach out to Lycian Dental Clinic for your dental problems. Whether it is a tooth extraction, tooth pain, root canal, or even tooth filings, our doctors at Lycian Clinic go above and beyond to satisfy your requirements.
