Breaking a tooth is something no one should have to experience, but if you do, thankfully, there are dental crowns to save the day. A broken tooth is incredibly painful, and if left exposed, it can lead to infection, further damage, and tooth loss. That is why dentists recommend getting a crown as quickly as possible. Crowns have existed for many years and are just as common as ever. The technology used in crowns has gotten better, though, and now people have more options than ever when it comes to having a crown placed.
We will go over what it is like to get a crown put on and what you should expect during your visit to the dentist so that you have nothing to worry about should you find yourself in need of a crown.
Getting a dental crown for adults is usually a two-visit process. On the first visit, you will meet with the dentist, and they will examine the tooth in question to see what kind of shape it is in and determine if it can support a crown. There must be enough of the exposed tooth left so the crown can sit on top. If the tooth is broken down to the gum, this will change as the dentist will need to cut the gum open to expose more of the tooth so that the crown can be applied.
Next, the dentist will need to get an impression of the tooth so that the crown can be custom-made for that tooth. Nowadays, impressions are made digitally rather than using manual impression material that is placed over the tooth.
Once the dentist has the impression of the crown, they will talk with you about picking the material for the crown. Some materials are more durable, while others are aesthetically pleasing. This is an important decision as the material you choose will alter the crown's look and strength. Your dentist can help you make a choice based on which tooth needs the crown and how much stress the tooth will be under.
After you decide on the type of material to use, the mold will be sent off to the lab, and the dentist will place a temporary crown over the tooth until the real one is ready. This usually takes a few days. You will then return to the dentist and have the permanent crown applied to your tooth and cemented in place using a special dental cement. Once it hardens, the process is complete.
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As you can see, getting a dental crown installed is very straightforward and painless. While waiting on your permanent crown, follow the dentist's instructions and avoid damaging the tooth any further. After the crown is in place, it is safe to eat and do all the things you would normally do once again.
Request an appointment or call Dentex Dental Specialty Group at 310-895-2446 for an appointment in our Culver City office.
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