If you need a dental crown, you probably have questions, including how long the procedure will take to complete. However, the time needed can depend on several factors. Generally, you can expect to need two or more appointments to have a crown made and fitted.
Preparing a tooth will generally take about an hour. Your second visit to have the crown fitted should be faster, and may only take 20 or 30 minutes to complete.
The Process for Having a Dental Crown
An Initial Consultation
An initial consultation is needed to determine if a crown is necessary, during which your dentist will examine the tooth, and they may take digital dental x-rays to assess any damage and infection further.
At this point, your dentist can assess if any other treatments, like root canal therapy, are needed. This may be required if the dental pulp is affected and has become infected and inflamed. In this case, it must be removed and the tooth permanently sealed before a crown can be created.
There is no need to be concerned if you need root canal therapy, as it is a straightforward process with a very high success rate. However, it will mean additional visits are required to complete your treatment.
Custom Treatment Plan
After the dental exam, your dentist can provide a custom treatment plan, outlining possible options for your dental crown and the costs of treatment. There may be several different options available depending on the material chosen for your crown.
For example, a crown can be made from gold, porcelain fused to metal (PFM), or an all-ceramic material like zirconia or lithium disilicate. Your dentist can discuss each option in detail, including the pros and cons, and show you examples so you can make an informed choice.
Tooth Preparation
Your tooth will be prepared for the crown using a local anesthetic to numb it, so there is no need to worry that your treatment will feel painful or uncomfortable. Once numb, your dentist carefully reshapes the tooth.
They will remove all the damage and infection, and must remove enough structure to create sufficient room for your new crown to fit comfortably without looking and feeling too big and bulky.
Dental Impression
Once the tooth is prepared, your dentist uses a digital scanner to create a precise 3-D model of your mouth. Digital scanning is more accurate and comfortable than traditional impressions, and your dentist can review the scan immediately on a computer screen.
The digital scan is used to create your new crown based on your dentist’s prescription. Usually, the design is sent to a dental lab, where the permanent crown is made.
Temporary Crown
In the meantime, you will need a temporary crown to protect the tooth. This is usually made from a material like composite resin, which is tooth-colored. It is attached to the tooth with temporary cement.
While wearing a temporary crown, you will need to take additional care because it is not very strong. Try to avoid biting or chewing on it, and avoid eating anything hard or crunchy that could damage, break, or dislodge it. If you have any problems, you must return to your dentist to have it mended or replaced. Without it, your tooth would feel very uncomfortable and sensitive.
Permanent Crown Placement
When your permanent crown is ready, you return to the dental office for a second visit. There shouldn’t be any need for a local anaesthetic during this visit.
Your dentist will remove the temporary crown so they can try in your new crown. They will check that the fit and finish are perfect before bonding it onto the tooth and completing your treatment.
If you are considering a crown to restore a damaged or weakened tooth, Broadway Family Dental can evaluate your tooth and discuss the most appropriate treatment options for your needs.
What about Same Day Crowns?
These crowns are slightly different because they can be made on the same day as your tooth is prepared. In this case, you would only need a single visit, though it may take longer to complete.
A same-day crown is made using CAD/CAM technology and requires an on-site milling machine. An increasing number of dentists are purchasing these machines that can precision mill beautiful ceramic restorations in as little as an hour or two.
These restorations are milled from a block of pre-shaded porcelain and are extremely high quality. Because they are made using CAD/CAM technology, they fit precisely and provide excellent aesthetic results. A crown made in this way should be durable, beautiful, and long-lasting.
The Process for a Same-Day Crown
The process for having a same-day crown is very similar to having a traditional dental crown.
- Your dentist will prepare your tooth in the same way before taking a detailed digital impression.
- Once the impression is on their screen, they use advanced software to design your new crown.
- After completing the design, it is sent to the on-site milling machine, where a suitable shade of porcelain is selected to mill your new crown.
- After the crown is milled, it is carefully checked and hand-finished, where it can be characterized and polished to look and feel very natural.
Opting for a same-day crown can save you time as no second visit is needed. It also means you will not need a temporary crown, making it an advantageous solution.
However, there may be situations where a same-day crown is not the best option.
Same-Day Crowns Versus Traditional Crowns
There is little doubt that a same-day crown can be a great option in the right circumstances. However, if you require several crowns or more extensive work, such as a smile makeover or full mouth restoration, traditional crowns can be a better choice.
This is because when several crowns must be made, a skilled and experienced ceramist in a dental lab is better placed to create beautiful crowns that complement each other.
When multiple restorations are required, closely matching different materials may be necessary. This is another situation where a ceramist is a better option, providing more aesthetically pleasing results.
Need a Dental Crown in Bushwick?
If you have a damaged, weakened, or severely decayed tooth and are wondering whether a dental crown is right for you, Broadway Family Dental can help. Schedule a consultation with our dental team to discuss your treatment options and find out what to expect from the crown procedure.
Contact Broadway Family Dental today to schedule your appointment and take the next step toward restoring your smile.
Broadway Family Dental
372 Stockton St,
Brooklyn, NY 11206
(Bushwick, Williamsburg, Bedford-Stuyvesant)
(718) 455-4400