A dental crown restores a fragile tooth to its natural strength and appearance.
There are many reasons why we may recommend a dental crown. For example, you may have a cracked, decayed, or stained tooth.
During your consultation, one of our dentists in Holland, MI, will be able to determine if a dental crown is right for you.
A dental crown restores a fragile tooth to its natural strength and appearance.
Here’s what you can expect during the tooth crown procedure, which takes two trips to our office.
Consultation
First, you’ll need to schedule a consultation with one of our dentists. During your appointment, we’ll take X-rays and one of our dentists will examine the inside of your mouth. With this information, they’ll be able to offer a solution to restore the function and appearance of your smile. If your dentist determines that you’re a , you’ll move onto the next step.
Keep in mind that not everyone is a candidate for a porcelain dental crown. In general, we always recommend the least invasive course of treatment to restore your oral health. For example, you may only need a dental filling to restore a tooth with a small cavity.
In the end, you won’t know if you need a crown until you see one of our dentists.
Tooth Preparation
Next, the dentist will need to prepare your tooth for the porcelain crown to sit on top. To do this, they’ll need to file down and shape your tooth so there’s enough room. Otherwise, the dental crown will make your tooth look bulky and feel uncomfortable.
Once we’ve removed enough tooth structure, we’ll take impressions of your teeth and send them to the lab. From there, the lab will use your impressions to create a dental crown that looks and feels natural.
While you wait for your permanent restoration, we’ll protect your tooth in the meantime with a temporary crown.
Permanent Crown Placement
When you return for your second appointment, we’ll replace your temporary crown with the permanent one.
Before anything happens though we’ll make sure that the new crown is the perfect size, shape, and color. That way, your new dental crown will match the rest of your smile. Also, people won’t be able to tell the difference between your dental crown and other teeth.
At-Home Care
Be sure to take care of your crown like you do the rest of your smile. That way, your new dental crown will last for years to come.
We strongly encourage you to practice good oral hygiene at home by brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes at a time. You’ll also need to floss your teeth once a day. These combined efforts will remove any dental plaque so you can avoid gum disease, cavities, and other oral health issues.
When you come back for routine teeth cleanings and other preventive care, we’ll take a look at your crown to monitor its condition. , the average dental crown can last up to 15 years when you take good care of your smile.
Recap
Here is the general process for getting a dental crown at the Lakeshore Dentistry & Implant Center.
Steps for the dental crown process:
- Schedule a consultation with one of our dentists to discuss your treatment options.
- Remove a thin layer of enamel from the tooth that will receive the crown.
- Take dental impressions and send them to the lab responsible for fabricating the crown.
- Place a temporary crown over your tooth to keep it protected until your next appointment.
- Replace the temporary crown with the permanent one during your second appointment.
- Check your bite and make adjustments as needed.
- Continue to maintain good oral hygiene so your crown lasts as long as possible.
Call the Lakeshore Dentistry & Implant Center
Our would be more than happy to help you achieve your smile goals. To request an appointment, call the Lakeshore Dentistry & Implant Center at (616) 399-3946. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you soon.
This blog post has been updated.
