Dental crowns have been around for millennia and are still used to restore smiles today. Ancient dentists used ivory, bone, and seashells to make crowns for teeth. At Mason Dental in Grapevine TX, we use modern materials.
A dental crown procedure consists of numerous steps:
Tooth Preparation
We begin by anesthetizing the tooth to be crowned and then prepare it. All decay is removed and the tooth is shaped. Usually, we file off tooth structure to reduce the size and create the proper shape. Sometimes, the tooth is too small to begin with; in that case, we build up the core of the tooth with filling material to construct a substantial base for the crown. All-metal crowns—as opposed to porcelain crowns—have thinner sides, requiring less removal of tooth structure.
Creating a Good Impression
We will use a putty-like substance to form an impression of the tooth and surrounding teeth. An impression will also be made of the teeth that oppose the crown. This ensures that the crown does not adversely affect the bite.
The Temporary Crown
A temporary crown is used to protect the tooth and make certain it doesn’t move in the mouth while the permanent crown is being constructed. Patients need to be careful with their temporary crown. It is not as strong as the permanent crown and is attached only with temporary cement. Avoid chewing gum and eating sticky foods. Be aware that the tooth may be sensitive to hot and cold.
Choosing a Color
If the new crown will be constructed with porcelain, we can use a shade guide to settle upon a shade for the restoration. Most people don’t have teeth that are exactly the same color. You will need to establish the best suited shade to blend in with the surrounding teeth.
Your Crown Is Put In Place
When the new crown is ready, we place it in your mouth and make any necessary modification to achieve an optimal fit. This process shouldn’t be rushed. Sometimes less than a millimeter of drilling can make the difference between an ill-fitting crown that makes irregular contact with the opposing teeth and a crown that is perfectly fitted.
At Mason Dental in Grapevine, dental crowns are part of our cosmetic dentistry. We also offer general dentistry. Schedule an appointment with us today.
Contact Mason Dental – Cosmetic & Family Dentistry:
817-481-4717
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
801 W Wall St
Grapevine, Texas
76051
