Before a tooth can be treated with a dental crown, it must be prepared so there is room. Crowns are too large to sit on top of your tooth without having the tooth reshaped, so your dentist must remove a part of the tooth to make room.
Preparing for a Crown
Crowns are custom-made to fit your mouth and to duplicate the shape of the tooth they are replacing. This ensures that your bite is not changed after the crown is set into place. After your crown is placed, it should feel comfortable and natural. [pullquote]Crowns are custom-made to fit your mouth and to duplicate the shape of the tooth they are replacing.[/pullquote]
Before work begins, your dentist takes an impression of your tooth to form the first part of the mold for your crown. Then work begins on the tooth. Special tools are used to remove portions of the tooth. If the tooth is severely decayed, the decayed areas will be removed first. The rest of the tooth is then carefully shaped so the crown will fit over it. Finally, another mold is made of the reshaped tooth. This mold is used to form the inside part of the crown.
The crown itself is made off-site, so it takes a few days for the final, permanent, custom-made crown to be completed. During this time, you’ll have a temporary crown affixed to protect your tooth.
Placing the Final Crown
When the permanent crown is ready, you’ll return to the dentist to have it permanently affixed to your treated tooth. First, the temporary crown is removed. The permanent crown, made of gold, porcelain, or metal bonded with porcelain, is affixed into place with a special adhesive.
The surface of the crown might require some adjustment to ensure your bite is comfortable. The dentist will take some time to check your bite and make any necessary changes to the crown’s surface. After the crown is placed, if you have any difficulties or if the crown is uncomfortable in any way, don’t hesitate to return to the Kemp & Borovac Dentistry for additional adjustments until your bite is perfect.