There’s no denying the power of a beautiful, perfect smile. It’s often cited as the most attractive attribute when meeting someone for the first time, and it can help you to feel confident and comfortable in social situations. Naturally, you also want to maintain good oral health for functional reasons.
So when a tooth is damaged by decay, trauma, or other causes, you probably want to see your dentist to fix the problem as soon as possible. Depending on the amount of damage, it may turn out that you need a crown. What can you expect during this process? How are porcelain crowns fitted?
Preparation
In most cases, you’ll have to schedule two visits to get a permanent crown placed. During the first visit, you’ll undergo preparations. This starts with x-rays to determine the extent of damage to the tooth, followed by appropriate treatment to remove decay or shape the tooth in preparation to receive a crown. You may need some drilling, filing, or even a root canal – it will depend on your particular situation.
If your tooth has suffered serious damage or decay, your dentist may need to apply some amount of filling material to create a stable base for the crown. When the tooth is ready, impressions can be taken to make the mold for the physical crown. In some cases, this is done with putty pressed onto the tooth; in others, a digital scanner is used. You will receive a temporary crown to protect your damaged tooth while the porcelain crown is being created.
Receiving a Crown
By the time you arrive for your second visit, your porcelain crown should be ready. It could take 2-3 weeks for a lab to create your crown. During your visit, your dentist will remove the temporary crown, check the fit of the new crown, and if all goes well, cement it permanently in place. In most case, you can expect the use of local anesthetic to ensure a comfortable experience.
After Care
With proper care, your porcelain crown could complete your smile and protect your tooth for up to 15 years. If you want to get the greatest longevity from your crown, you need to observe good oral hygiene and schedule regular dental visits to avoid further tooth decay.
You also need to avoid potential harm. Although porcelain crowns are designed to hold up to normal wear and tear, they can definitely be damaged by chewing on hard items (ice, candy, pen caps, etc.) or issues like bruxism (clenching or grinding teeth). Luckily, there are steps you can take to reduce risk factors and maintain your porcelain crown for years to come.
