Mayfair Neighborhood Dentist Insights: What to Expect When You Are Getting a Dental Crown
A dental crown is a cover made from a variety of materials, which is used to replace a tooth while replicating its original size, shape, and function. Crowns are generally needed when a tooth is too badly damaged to be restored through other means such as fillings, but not damaged to the point where a majority of its structure is destroyed. Large cavities, cracked, worn-down teeth, and teeth that recently underwent an extensive root canal are prime candidates for crowns. So, what exactly can you expect during the procedure?
The Preparation and Installation of the Crown
Installing a crown will usually take two visits to the dentist’s office. During the first visit, the tooth is x-rayed in order to determine whether any decay is present, and if there is a risk of infection within the tooth’s pulp. If any of these factors are present, a root canal may be performed in order to remove the pulp and the nerve of the tooth.
Once the tooth is clean, the dentist will file it down so that it can serve as a foundation for the crown. The material of the crown will determine the amount of tooth that needs to be removed, with metal crowns being generally thinner and requiring less of the tooth to be removed. For other materials, such as porcelain or porcelain-fused-to-metal, the dentist will have to remove extra tooth material. When a tooth does not have sufficient material to support the crown, but it is still structurally sound, the dentist may use a filling material to create the base for the crown.
Your dentist will then use a special paste to make an impression of the tooth receiving the crown, and the tooth above or below it in order to make sure that the crown will not affect your bite. The two impressions are then sent to a laboratory where the crown will be created within 2-3 weeks. Your Mayfair dentist will also create a temporary crown that will cover the filed down tooth.
During your second visit, the Mayfair neighborhood dentist will install the permanent crown. To start, the dentist will remove the temporary crown, then he or she will check to make sure the permanent crown fits in terms of size and color. If everything checks out, the local area will be anesthetized, and the crown will be permanently fixed to the foundation.
The Problem that May Develop After Installing a Dental Crown
Although getting a dental crown is perfectly safe, and in some situations is the best option, you may experience a certain problem after it is installed. If you feel discomfort or sensitivity after the installation process, it may simply be a normal reaction to the anesthetic wearing off. However, if the problem persists, it could be that the crown is installed too high on the tooth, and you may feel pain when you bite down. If this is the case, we recommend that you contact your dentist and schedule an appointment to fix the issue as soon as possible.
Getting a Dental Crown from a Chicago Mayfair Neighborhood Dentist
Crowns are essential to restoring badly damaged teeth, and most crown installation procedures are fairly straightforward. If your tooth cracked, or if you’ve lost a filling and damaged the structure of the tooth in the process, make sure to check with your dentist in order to assess whether a crown is needed. At Smile Innovations, we install dental crowns in Jefferson Park at affordable rates, while ensuring maximum comfort and quality for our clients. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, contact us today!