Everything you need to know about the dental crown procedure

We’ve all been there, you go in for your biannual dental cleaning and— boom! There’s something that needs fixing. More often than not, all that’s needed is a simple filling, but sometimes more extensive work is necessary. When a filling will not get the job done, a dental crown might be necessary. 

Many patients will have this procedure done in their lifetime and it’s nothing to be nervous about! A dental crown is simply a cap for a damaged tooth. A crown may be necessary if a patient has a large cavity that cannot be filled, a cracked or weakened tooth, a severely worn down tooth, or after certain dental procedures like a root canal or tooth implant. There are numerous materials that a crown can be made of like ceramic, porcelain, metal and more. 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the process of getting a dental crown and all of the available options, never fear! We’re here to break down the process and steps of this common procedure.

Types of Dental Crowns:

There are many materials that can be used to make a dental crown including:

• Metal
• Composite Resin
• Ceramic
• Porcelain
• Zirconia 

Sometimes a combination of these materials will be used, for example, a porcelain crown may be fused to metal, providing more strength than a porcelain crown alone. 

When selecting the material for your crown your dentist will consider factors such as your tooth’s location, the function of the tooth in need of a crown, the color of your surrounding teeth, how much natural tooth is remaining, and more. You can also discuss your personal preferences with your dentist.

The material used for your crown isn’t where the options stop. There are also temporary, one-day, onlay and ¾ crowns. A temporary crown is exactly what it sounds like, a crown that will only be on your tooth for a short period of time. A temporary crown is placed on your tooth with an easy-to-remove adhesive that makes it easier to remove than a permanent crown. A temporary crown may be used when your dentist is waiting for your permanent crown to be made. 

A one-day crown is a permanent crown that is created and installed in one trip to the dentist. This type of crown is often designed and milled from a block of ceramic right there in your dentist’s office.

An onlay and ¾ crown are types of crowns that only partially cover the tooth. These are often used when a full crown is not necessary.

The Process:

There are two ways that your dentist can install a dental crown. These are a multi-day procedure with a temporary crown or a same-day procedure. We will break down both!

Multi-day procedure with a temporary crown:

1. Your dentist will examine and prepare the tooth in need of a crown. This may include taking X-rays or making a mold of your tooth and/or mouth before the procedure.
2. Your dentist will file down and remove part of the outer layer of the tooth.
3. An impression will be made of your trimmed tooth and the surrounding teeth.
4. The dentist will put a temporary crown over your tooth to protect it.
5. They send the impression to a lab that makes the crown. This step may take several weeks.
6. When the crown comes in, you’ll return for the second visit, so your dentist can cement the crown to your tooth.

The second type of dental crown procedure, a same-day procedure, goes as such:

1. The dentist takes digital pictures of your mouth.
2. Using the digital scan from the photos, the dentist creates the crown right there in the office. You may have to wait about 1 to 2 hours until the crown is made.
3. Once the crown is ready, your dentist cements it into place. The entire process takes about 2 to 4 hours.

With the same-day procedure, the temporary crown step is simply skipped and you receive your permanent crown on your first visit to the dentist. This procedure may be for you if you don’t have the time to make multiple trips to the dentist. 

Dental Crowns in New York:

At R & R Dental, we want you to feel and look your best. Crowns are an extremely common part of dental care and can be used to fix a multitude of problems. There are numerous options to choose from when determining the type of dental crown that is best for you, so be sure to have a discussion with your dentist regarding your preferences and how it fits into their recommendations for your crown. If you think you need a dental crown, have any questions about your upcoming procedure, or just want to make an appointment for a cleaning/checkup, give us a call at (516) 874-7834 or visit our website at www.randrdental.com to book your appointment today!