Dental Crown Procedure

Dental crowns in valparaiso in can enhance and maintain the mechanical function of the mouth by supporting its proper alignment during chewing and other use.  Your dentist may recommend a crown for a variety of reasons. Perhaps you have an especially weak tooth that needs to be supported or reinforced. Perhaps you require a dental bridge, which is commonly used to fully replace one or more missing teeth and which is supported by a crown. Dental crowns may be used to hold together parts of a tooth that has begun to break, improving the mechanical function and alignment of the teeth, but crowns can also serve cosmetic purposes; crowns may be used to change the appearance of a discolored, flawed, or misshapen tooth. Crown placement is a common dental procedure, and every day, crowns are installed by dentists to fix a variety of tooth and mouth problems.

The procedure will normally require two dentist visits. At the first visit, your dentist will examine the tooth and the surrounding area of the mouth to determine whether it can accommodate a crown. At this visit, your dentist will also begin filing down the tooth, priming it for the crown, or, if the tooth is extensively damaged, your dentist may fill the tooth in order to make it large enough to support the crown. Once the tooth has been sculpted to its proper foundational shape, the dentist will make an impression, or copy, of the tooth and surrounding teeth, usually using a dental paste or putty. At this time, your dentist will also determine the correct shade of porcelain to match existing teeth, if porcelain is being used. The dentist will then send your dental impression away to a dental lab, where your permanent crown will be crafted. At this first visit, your dentist will also install a temporary crown, which will protect the affected area until the permanent crown is prepared and ready to be affixed.

You will have your second dental visit once your permanent crown has been constructed, which usually takes about two to three weeks. At this visit, your dentist will remove the temporary crown and then position and affix the new crown to the tooth with a strong dental adhesive. Once the procedure is complete, it may take some time before the new crown feels normal in your mouth, though be sure to talk to your dentist if you experience pain or discomfort. After a brief adjustment period, however, the crown will function and feel like a regular tooth. To ensure the longevity of your new crown, be sure to practice proper oral hygiene. Keeping surrounding gums and teeth healthy will help your crown, and your teeth, last a lifetime; floss daily and brush with fluoride toothpaste twice daily, and be sure to see your dentist and hygienist periodically for regularly scheduled professional cleanings. To prevent damage to your crown, avoid chewing ice, hard foods, or other hard objects, and, if any questions arise about your crown after your procedure, be sure to talk to your dentist.

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