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Sunday, 26 October 2014

Preparing a Tooth for a Dental Crown

During the preparation of a tooth for a dental crown, you will typically require two visits to your dentist. The first step will involve the examination and preparation of the tooth, while the second visit will involve placement of the permanent crown.

First Visit: Examining and Preparing the Tooth

During the first visit to prepare the dental crown, the dentist may take several X-Rays in order to check the roots of the tooth that will receive the crown, as well as the surrounding bone.

If the tooth has suffered extensive decay or if there is a risk of injury or infection of the pulp of the tooth, a root canal may be first performed. This will require a few additional visits to the dentist.

Before starting to place your crown, the dentist will anesthetize or numb the tooth as well as the gum tissue surrounding the tooth. Next, the doctor will file the tooth receiving the crown down along the chewing surface and sides to create room for the crown.

The amount to remove will depend on the type of crown. For instance, all-metal crowns are thinner and therefore require less removal of the tooth structure than their all-porcelain or porcelain-fused-to-metal counterparts. If, on the other hand, a large area of the tooth is missing due to damage or decay, the dentist will build up the tooth using filling material which will provide the crown with support.

Once they have reshaped your tooth, the dentist will use a putty or paste to make an impression of the tooth that will receive the crown. They will also make impressions of the teeth above and below the crown in order to ensure that the crown does not affect your bite.

They will then send the impressions to a dental lab at which the crown will be manufactured. The crown will typically be sent back to the dentist's office within 2-3 weeks.

If the crown is made out of porcelain, the dentist will also select the shade that matches closely the color of the neighboring teeth. During this visit, the dentist will make a temporary crown to protect and cover the prepared tooth while the crown is being made. Temporary crowns are typically constructed out of acrylic and held in place with temporary cement.

Second Visit: Receiving the Permanent Dental Crown

During your second visit, the dentist will remove the temporary crown and check the color and fit of the permanent crown. If everything is acceptable, they may use a local anesthetic to numb the tooth and thereafter cement the new crown permanently in place.

Because temporary dental crowns are designed to provide a temporary fix until your permanent crown is ready, it is important to observe certain precautions. Avoid sticky or chewy foods such as caramel or chewing gum which tend to grab or pull the crown off. You should also minimize the use of the side of your mouth that has the temporary crown by shifting the bulk of your chewing to the other side.

Types of Crowns

These are some of the most often used types of dental crowns:

    Porcelain fused to metal crowns - Look like your natural teeth but wear and tear over time.
    Gold crowns - They offer increased durability but not much aesthetic appeal.
    Zirconium crowns - the best choice for front teeth, if you can afford them.
    Procera crowns - Metal free, look like your natural teeth, getting more and more popular.
    All resin crowns - Less expensive than zirconium, another good choice for front teeth.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7819067

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