A crown is among the most versatile as well as an everyday kind of dental restorations applied to protect, mask or provide shape to the missing tooth. Crowns remain functional and aesthetic for several years. If you have opted to have your dental crown in Mt. Vernon, NY, learning about the step-by-step process will make you feel better about the whole process. In this article, we are going to take you through the entire process of getting a dental crown, from consultation to aftercare. We also look into how Aurora Smiles delivers quality care at every step.
What is a dental crown?
A dental crown is a coverage created specifically to cover an injured tooth to replace its form, strength, size, and appearance. The crowns are considered among the restorations that help many people by restoring bad-decay teeth and other cracked broken teeth even after a procedure of a root canal treatment, Crowns help in changing their color and even shape as well.
Porcelain, ceramic, or metal alloys and any combination can be used in the making of crowns. What is needed, the position of the tooth, and aesthetic appeal would make a difference as to what kind of crown in your oral health needs. Porcelain and ceramic crowns are mostly applied for front teeth because they look natural and have their natural color. Metal crowns, however, are applied at the back for durability.
How the Process of Having a Dental Crown Takes Place
If one decides to have a dental crown, then this process will take more than just a few visits. This page provides the step-by-step procedure of how a dental crown in Mt. Vernon, NY takes place.
1. First Consultation and Examination
First, the first step of the dental crown process involves scheduling a consultation with your dentist. At this appointment, your dentist will assess your oral health, ask about your concerns, and decide whether a dental crown is the right solution for your needs.
- Detailed Analysis: This is what your dentist will do in terms of comprehensive analysis of your tooth. He does this by checking the structure to know how much the damage is, and sometimes might even need a simple observation as combined with your complaints whether it’s pain or sensitiveness.
- X-rays: The dentist will check X-rays to see other hidden structures behind your teeth for decays, infection, or bone loss close to that tooth.
- Treatment Discussion: Your dentist will describe the treatment options based on your exam and X-rays. If a dental crown is recommended, your dentist will discuss which type of crown is best suited for your needs, such as porcelain, ceramic, or metal.
2. Preparing Your Tooth for the Crown
Once you have decided to proceed with the dental crown, the next thing would be preparing your tooth. This will ensure that the crown will fit perfectly and work correctly.
- Local Anesthesia: The dentist will give local anesthesia before starting any procedure on the area surrounding the affected tooth. This would keep you comfortable and pain-free during the process.
- Tooth Shaping: The dentist will remove part of the outer layer of the tooth to create an area for the crown. The amount of the level of tooth structure to be removed by the dentist is dependent on the kind of crown to be used. Where the tooth has parts that have decayed or damaged, then the dentist will scrape out the parts of the tooth.
- Removal of decay: If the tooth is highly decayed, the dentist will remove the decay and then fill the tooth with some material that will restore the original shape of the tooth. This preparation ensures that the crown fits well inside.
This will take a little time based on the work that is supposed to be done, but do not worry as anesthetics make all the process pain-free.
3. Impressions or Digital Scans
The tooth will be shaped and ready for the crown. Following this, the dentist takes an accurate impression to shape an exact crown that could fit directly over the tooth.
- The traditional molds: This putty-like material is placed in the prepared tooth so that the mold of that tooth can be cast, and this will capture exactly the dimensions of your teeth and surrounding structures.
- They do everything more modernly, which would include digital impressions instead of the mold. It is faster and often more accurate by taking a 3D picture of your tooth and the surrounding teeth using a small camera.
Impression. A temporary crown shall be placed over your tooth that shall protect it until such time that your permanent crown is prepared. The material for the temporary crown will usually be simple and will not be as durable compared to the final product.
4. Fabrication of the Crown
Once your dentist accurately took impressions or a digital scan, your crown is ready.
- This is when impressions are taken to a dental laboratory. Here, skilled technicians will fashion a custom crown based on the specifications given by your dentist.
- Material selection: You’ll be able to choose the material of your crown; it may be porcelain, ceramic, or metal alloys. The porcelain and ceramic crowns are most often used in front because the color will match up easier to other teeth. Metal crowns are most often used on the back side of your mouth because they last much longer.
- Personalization: The lab will do it just right—precision in both measurement and color of your crown to ensure its fit.
This can take 1-2 weeks, according to the turnaround time at the lab.
5. Application of the Permanent Crown
Once your permanent crown is ready, you will visit the dentist for its fixing.
- Removing the Temporary Crown: The dentist will then remove the temporary crown and thoroughly clean the prepared tooth.
- Checking the Fit and Bite: Your dentist will place the permanent crown on your tooth to check the fit and ensure that your bite is perfectly natural. If adjustments are necessary, small tweaks will be made to ensure that it feels comfortable and is in alignment with your surrounding teeth.
- Color matching: The dentist ensures that he finds the color of your crown that can match with others. He adjusts the color and the shape to give your teeth an aesthetic appearance of excellence.
6. Cementation of Crown
After determining the perfect fit, your crown is cemented permanently within your mouth.
- Bonding Process: special dental adhesive is used to ensure that the crown bonds well on the tooth. The adhesive applied will ensure an excellent bond that is strong and secure between the crown and the tooth.
- Final Adjustment: Your dentist will inspect the area after cementation to ascertain whether your biting feels correct and that there is good alignment of your crown with the rest of your teeth.
- Polishing: The surface of the crown is polished to give it a natural appearance and shine, which may fit well with your other adjacent teeth.
Aftercare and Dental Crowns Maintenance
You should take proper care of your dental crowns to prolong their lifespan and avoid complications. Here are some after-care tips:
- Proper oral hygiene: Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly, especially around the crown, to ensure that your mouth is free of plaque buildup. Preventing gum diseases and decay around the crown will thus be possible through brushing and flossing.
- Avoid Hard Foods: During the first few days of placement, avoid hard or sticky foods that may place too much pressure on the crown or even break it.
- Regular Check-Ups: Schedule regular check-ups with your dentist to monitor the condition of your crown and overall oral health. Regular professional cleanings will help maintain your dental crown and keep your teeth healthy.
Proper care extends the life of crowns for many years. On top of that, regular check-ups with your dentist assure they will be in proper shape.
Why Choose Aurora Smiles in Mt. Vernon, NY?
Looking for a dental office offering good quality dental crowns? Then look no further than Aurora Smiles in Mt. Vernon, NY. Aurora Smiles provides personalized, expert care in a warm, comfortable atmosphere from our experienced dentist, Dr. Amul Patel, and team, committed to serving their patients with personalized expert care, and the time it takes for them to get an understanding of your needs in planning a treatment program designed especially for your individual needs, goals, and aspirations from the first consultation up until the final placement of the crown.
The service portfolio of Aurora Smiles, however, ranges beyond crowns. This service ranges from preventive care, cosmetic dentistry, to restorative treatments. For convenience of the patients, Dental Crowns in Vernon, NY can quickly be fitted on a rotten tooth to restore its state back to normal. Based on the guidelines above, it ensures that you proceed in the process with good outcomes.
If you’re looking for the best Dental Care in Mt Vernon, NY, then quality care is offered at both of these locations by Aurora Smiles. You have a cracked tooth that needs to be replaced or you want to smile with confidence. End your search at Aurora Smiles as your dentist. Contact today to schedule your consultation and take that first step toward a healthier, more beautiful smile.