Dental crown treatments are fairly common, but maybe you’re just now realizing that you don’t know how your dentist prepares your tooth for receiving one. Maybe you didn’t know that there was any prep involved!
Not to worry. This post will dive into the three step process for preparing your soon-to-be crowned tooth. Keep reading so you’ll know what to expect.
Step 1: Numbing Your Mouth
After the details of your treatment are finalized during a consultation, it’s time to attend your first appointment. You’ll announce your arrival at the front desk, wait for your dental team to show you back, then settle into the patient’s chair. Meanwhile, your dentist will get the local anesthetic ready, and administer it to the treatment area once you’re all set. This will help ensure your comfort by completely numbing your mouth to external sensations.
Step 2: Reshaping Your Tooth
You read that correctly – the next step is to reshape your affected tooth. The idea is to shave down or polish your pearly white so that your crown will fit over it firmly and securely. Most patients don’t require major alterations, but it simply depends on the state of your tooth. A rough surface texture will make it difficult for your crown to rest comfortably.
Step 3: Placement
Not many people realize that before receiving their permanent restoration, their dentist will have to put a temporary crown in place. The more durable and completely customized version will likely still be undergoing the fabrication process at a dental lab, but it’s important to provide protection for your vulnerable tooth as soon as possible. When your dentist receives your permanent crown from the lab, they’ll let you know it’s time for another visit.
Overall, preparing your tooth for a dental crown is a simple process. Your experience might vary slightly depending on your situation, but in general, these three steps are what you can expect. For a more detailed outline, don’t hesitate to contact your dentist. They want you to feel confident in your treatment plan and would be happy to review the entire process with you!
About the Author
Dr. Spiro Saati is a highly experienced dentist with many unique qualifications, including active membership status with the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Periodontology, and the Pierre Fauchard Academy. He believes that the best part of his job is being able to care for patients and restore their oral health. If you have questions about the dental crown process, you can trust Dr. Saati to give you his undivided attention as he answers your questions! To contact his office for an appointment or consultation, call 978-531-2185.