24 Apr Will I be able to feel the difference once a dental crown is placed?
Dental crowns provide the solution for multiple dental problems. Your dentist will try in your crown to make sure it fits correctly, and once cemented in place should not be noticeable.
Why Is A Dental Crown Needed?
Repair a broken tooth – When a tooth experiences a break or fracture, the best way to resolve the issue is with a crown.
Deep dental decay – Repairing a tooth already impacted by decay can result in more damage; a crown is often the better solution than to try to repair with another filling.
Sealing a tooth following root canal therapy – A crown is often used as a means to seal the opening created following endodontic treatment.
Tooth replacement – Dental crowns can be used to permanently affix a dental bridge or as the final step to complete a dental implant procedure.
Often the only other alternative to treatment with a crown is to have the tooth extracted. Whenever possible, your dentist will most always recommend saving a tooth.
The Dental Crown Process
Once the need for a crown has been diagnosed, the tooth is anesthetized and the dentist will remove much of the surface of the tooth. A portion of the tooth remains that will be used as a base to cement the crown in place.
An impression is taken and sent to the dental lab for the crown to be fabricated, a process that usually takes about two weeks.
On seat day, the crown is tried in. If adjustments are needed, the dentist can make them chairside. When the fit is right, the crown is polished and cemented in place utilizing a tooth colored bonding cement. Most crowns (especially those used for the smile line) are made from porcelain making them virtually impossible to distinguish from neighboring teeth.
Your dentist may advise you to avoid chewing sticky foods for about 24 hours to allow the cement to firmly set. After that, you can eat and drink anything you choose.
Caring for your crown requires nothing special. You will brush and floss daily, and visit our team at Aesthetic Dental Partners every six months for cleaning. You should not be able to “feel” your crown, and it should function just like the rest of your natural teeth.