If you think you've lost the will to flash your dazzling smile because you’re unhappy with your smile, then you might need to get dental crowns in Candler, NC. A dental crown is a tooth-shaped "cap" placed over your damaged tooth to restore its appearance, strength, and functionality.
Dental crowns are convenient in that they typically don't require special care aside from the regular oral health practices one must have.
The Process of Making Dental Crowns
The steps involved in getting a dental crown may vary based on where your dental situation is. Typically, you will have two visits to your dentist to prepare for a dental crown treatment.
First Visit: Consultation and Preparation of the Dental Crown
During your first visit, your dentist will conduct a series of tests and X-rays to check the status of the tooth in question. This step examines the roots and pulp of the tooth for signs of decay or infection. If there is a risk of infection in the tooth's pulp, you will first get a root canal treatment.
Afterward, your dentist reshapes the chewing surface and sides of the tooth to allow space for the crown. The type of crown used determines the amount removed from the tooth. All-metal crowns are thinner, so they don't require much space compared to all-porcelain or porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns.
The dentist will send an impression of the tooth to the lab and will prepare for the permanent crown. The teeth above and below the tooth are also taken into account to ensure that the change does not affect the patient's bite.
Your dentist utilizes a paste or putty for the impressions. In some cases, a digital scan is preferred. While waiting for the permanent crown, your dental care provider will place a temporary crown over your tooth to protect it. Usually, it takes a couple of weeks before the permanent crown is ready.
Second Visit: Placing the Permanent Dental Crown
During your second visit, your dentist will remove the temporary crown and assess if the permanent one matches your teeth in terms of shape and color. If there are no issues, you will receive local anesthesia to numb the tooth's surface, and the dentist will put the permanent crown in place.
Same-Day Dental Crowns
Special cases require special measures. Same-day dental crowns are possible if your dentist has the necessary equipment to create the crown. The same steps are made to prepare the tooth for the crown - cleaning the pulp and reshaping the tooth. After which, your dentist uses a digital scanner to interpret the tooth and create a 3D model of it.
Then, the model is sent to another machine that molds the crown from a block of ceramic. It's is a faster process with the help of computer-aided manufacturing. Typically, it only takes 15 minutes, and your tooth is ready to be restored.
Get Your Dental Crowns in Candler, NC
At Cataloochee Dental Group, we want you to optimize your oral health through various restorative and preventative services we offer to our patients. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
