Dental crowns are a well-known form of restorative treatment intended to help mend damaged or weakened teeth. Whether it’s a result of decay, trauma or normal wear-and-tear, crowns are an excellent choice to restore the function and appearance of your teeth into one durable and beautiful piece. If you are in Puyallup, WA, and searching for a dental crown, keep reading to learn what the process entails so that you can be prepared for your procedure. In this article, learn about how to get a crown and what they have to offer for your oral health as described by a dentist in Puyallup

What Is a Dental Crown?

A dental crown is like a cap placed on a tooth, covering the visible part of that tooth, restoring its shape and size, strength, and appearance. Dental crowns can be crafted from various materials — porcelain, ceramic, and often metal based on the location of the tooth and your cosmetic goals. Crowns are used when too much of a tooth is damaged for just a filling, after root canal treatment or merely to change the shape or color of irregularly shaped or discolored teeth.

Step 1: Consultation and Evaluation

On this visit, your dentist will look at the damaged tooth and evaluate it. They might take some X-rays to determine how much of the tooth is damaged and whether it’s still strong enough to support a crown. This also addresses any underlying decay or infection before the crown is placed.

Step 2: The Tooth Getting Ready to Be Crowned!

After the initial consultation and the best options for treatment have been established, the next step is prepping the tooth for a crown. The procedure itself often takes an hour or two to perform and is carried out under local anesthesia for your comfort.

Your dentist will then prepare the tooth by removing any decayed or damaged portions of the tooth. In other instances, a drastic amount of tooth structure needs to be removed for the crown to fit. If there is not enough tooth structure left, your dentist will add a filling material to the inside of the tooth which helps build it up before placing the crown.

The dentist will then perform the necessary reshaping of the tooth so that it can accommodate the crown and take an impression of your tooth. The rest of the tooth will serve as an impression to make a custom crown that will sit comfortably over your damaged tooth

Step 3: Making the Final Crown

Your tooth impressions will then be sent to a dental lab for the manufacturing of your permanent crown. On average, this process can take 2 – 3 weeks. During this period, the lab will prepare a crown that is custom-shaped and colored to resemble your natural teeth and function just like them.

To protect the prepared tooth and allow you to speak or eat without discomfort, you will be provided with a temporary crown while your permanent one is being made.

Fourth Step: The Permanent Crown

After the long-lasting crown is produced, you will head back to your dentist for a follow-up visit. At this appointment, the dentist will take out the temporary crown and place a permanent one over the prepared tooth to confirm that it fits correctly. The crown will then make its way through a series of tests for comfort, function, and appearance. Before your dentist cements it permanently, he will make any adjustments necessary for the proper fit or bite.

The process of getting a dental crown in Puyallup is simple and the crowns help restore health, function, and beauty to a damaged or decayed tooth. It consists of multiple essential steps, beginning with the initial consultation and tooth preparation followed by the placement of a permanent crown.