Getting any sort of dental procedure performed can be intimidating and even anxiety-producing. But the more you know about a procedure going into it, the more secure and confident you can be in getting the treatment you need. Dental crowns in Monroe help preserve your natural tooth or restore a dental implant and protect against further damage. After examining your smile and bite, your dentist can determine if a dental crown is the right treatment for you.
What to Expect for Dental Crowns in Monroe
For most patients, getting a dental crown is a two-appointment visit.
First Appointment
During your first appointment, your dentist will clean and prepare the tooth for work. This process ensures two things: first, that any damage or decay is gone and won’t spread, and second, that there is enough room for the crown to fit over your tooth. To do this, your dentist will remove a portion of your tooth using a small drill. Patients are given local anesthesia to help reduce any pain or discomfort that could arise during the procedure.
With the tooth prepared, your dentist will then take impressions. These impressions help them fabricate a dental crown that fits perfectly into your bite.
Temporary Crown
Leaving your tooth unprotected while you wait for your dental crown can be dangerous. Therefore, your dentist will create a temporary crown for you to wear in between appointments. This temporary crown is often made of a tooth-colored resin material and will help keep your tooth safe and your bite strong.
Second Appointment
After your impressions are made, your dentist will begin to work fabricating a dental crown. This process can take a few days or even weeks to ensure the crown is a perfect fit for your bite and is color-matched to your smile. Once it’s ready, you’ll come back into the office to have it placed.
Your dentist will begin by removing the temporary crown and ensuring once more that the natural tooth structure is clean and ready for the permanent. They’ll then place the crown and perform any minor adjustments as needed to ensure your bite is comfortable and secure.
Dental Crowns for Implants
Dental crowns are also the most common restoration choice for patients with a single dental implant. The process for getting a dental crown on an implant is essentially the same. The main difference is that your dentist will also need to apply an abutment during your initial appointment. The abutment is the part of an implant that connects the root structure to the restoration. The impression of your bite with the abutment in place is used to fabricate your permanent crown.
If you need a dental crown, it’s natural to feel anxious about the procedure. If you have any questions, call our office today at 704-240-5045. You can schedule a consultation with Dr. Leonard Hess to help you understand and feel more at ease with your future treatment.