1275 McConnell Drive, Suite H. Decatur, GA 30033
What is a Porcelain Crown
When a tooth either has extensive decay or inherent problems such as a crack or chip, we use a crown to return function and strength. A crown is a porcelain restoration that covers a cracked or chipped tooth to help your tooth function and gain back strength. In addition to damaged teeth, crowns can be used to cover misshapen teeth or to fill uneven gaps. They also serve as the anchors for dental bridges.
Benefits of Porcelain Crowns
In addition to their durability, porcelain crowns offer a variety of benefits:
- Aesthetics: Porcelain crowns are made to resemble your natural teeth, making them the perfect choice for dental repair and enhancement.
- Versatility: Porcelain crowns are widely used to correct broken teeth, misaligned and crooked teeth, and stained teeth.
What Problems Do Porcelain Crowns Correct?
At Druid Hills Dental, we use porcelain crowns for these dental problems:
- Teeth with overly large fillings
- Severely worn teeth
- Chipped teeth
- Broken or fractured teeth
- Heavily decayed teeth
- Misshapen teeth
- Severely discolored teeth
- Teeth that have had a root canal
- Teeth on both sides of a bridge
Am I a Candidate for a Porcelain Crown?
Many adults receive a porcelain crown at some point in their lives. Reasons that porcelain crowns become necessary to include:
- A tooth has been severely damaged by decay or trauma.
- A root canal is needed to remove a deep infection from a tooth.
- Tooth loss is being treated with a dental implant and crown.
Porcelain crowns provide the structure that a tooth needs to be restored to its full integrity. Good candidates have sufficient tooth anatomy present to repair the damage that has occurred.
What is the Porcelain Crown Procedure Like?
The porcelain crown procedure is a multi-step process that involves a series of steps:
Consult and Exam
At your initial visit, the dentist will examine your teeth to determine if porcelain crowns are right for you.
Tooth Prep
To prepare your teeth for crowns, a small amount of enamel is taken from the tooth getting the crown.
Impressions Taken
Impressions will then be taken of the prepared tooth and the tooth next to it. This serves as a model for your custom-made crown.
Temporary Crown Placement
While the permanent crown is being made, a temporary crown will be placed to protect the tooth.
Crown Placement
Once the porcelain crown is ready, the temporary ones will be removed. After the permanent crowns are approved, they will be bonded to the tooth.
How Long Does a Porcelain Crown Procedure Take?
It takes two separate appointments to get a porcelain crown. The first appointment involves preparing the tooth to receive its restoration. This appointment can take an hour to ninety minutes. After preparing the tooth, the dentist takes an impression to send to the dental lab. A temporary crown is then placed over the tooth that has been reduced. This prevents debris from damaging the softer tooth material and also minimizes the sensitivity one may experience. The temporary crown is affixed with dental cement only so patients need to avoid eating hard or sticky foods until they receive their final crown.
The second appointment involves removing the temporary crown and seating the restoration that will be in place for several years. This visit may also take about an hour. The dentist will evaluate the fit of the crown, ensuring that it fits well against adjacent and opposing teeth. If necessary, adjustments are made to the crown before it is bonded to the tooth.
Are Porcelain Crowns Painful?
The dental crown procedure is not painful. Because the tooth is reduced to accommodate the crown, and this requires the use of a dental instrument that causes vibration, the dentist administers a local anesthetic into the tissue around the tooth. Patients may feel a pressing sensation on the jaw, but this is not painful. After the tooth is reduced and the anesthetic wears off, the area may be slightly sore or tender. Over-the-counter medication can be taken to manage comfort.
Recovery and Aftercare for the Porcelain Crown Procedure
After receiving your temporary dental crown, you may need to avoid certain foods for a short time. For example, your dentist may advise you to refrain from chewing on hard foods like popcorn or pretzels until your final crown has been bonded to the tooth. It is not uncommon for the treatment area to feel sore or tender or for the tooth to feel sensitive during the process of getting a porcelain crown. To mitigate this, you may take an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed. You should Brush and floss at least twice daily using a soft-bristled brush and non-abrasive toothpaste, and continue flossing normally with both temporary and final crowns.
