What Happens During the Dental Crown Procedure?
Our dentist in Grand Rapids, MI, may recommend the dental crown procedure to restore a tooth’s natural strength, function, and appearance. But it’s important that you know what to expect during your next appointment so you can be mentally prepared.
Dr. Nichols and his team also want you to feel informed and confident during treatment so you feel in control of your dental health journey.
Here’s what you need to know about dental crown treatment at Nichols Family Dentistry.
Consultation with Dr. Nichols
First, you’ll need to schedule a consultation with our family dentist. During your appointment, Dr. Nichols will examine the inside of your mouth and may take dental X-rays. With this information, he’ll be able to determine the best course of action to restore the full function of your smile.
Dr. Nichols may recommend a porcelain dental crown to restore a fragile tooth with a large cavity or crack. Likewise, he may recommend a composite filling to restore a tooth with a small cavity or a root canal for an abscessed tooth.
The treatment he recommends will depend on the extent of damage to the tooth. Ultimately, you won’t know what treatment you need until you see our dentist and receive an official diagnosis.
Preparing the Tooth for the Crown
A covers the entire visible portion of your tooth above the gum line. As such, Dr. Nichols will need to prepare the receiving tooth so the crown will fit over top. Otherwise, the dental crown will make your tooth look large and bulky.
Dr. Nichols will prepare the tooth by removing any decay or damage. He’ll then file down the tooth so the crown fits comfortably over top.
Next, we’ll take impressions of your teeth and send them to the lab. While you wait for the lab to make your permanent dental crown, we’ll place a temporary crown over your tooth in the meantime. This will protect your tooth until we call you back for your second appointment.
Placing the Permanent Dental Crown
When you return for your second appointment, your new dental crown will be ready.
Dr. Nichols will remove the temporary crown and replace it with the permanent crown. Before bonding the new dental crown in place, he’ll ensure that it’s the correct size, shape, and color. That way, your new dental crown will match the rest of your smile.
Once Dr. Nichols is satisfied with the look and fit of the permanent tooth crown, he’ll bond it in place. He’ll also check your bite to ensure that your teeth make proper contact. This will save you from any issues with chewing and eating later.
The end result is a dental crown that looks and feels natural.
Dental Crown Aftercare
can last for years with proper care. This means that you’ll be responsible for practicing good oral hygiene at home by brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once daily. Please be sure to brush for two minutes at a time. Each quadrant of your mouth should get 30 seconds of your time to ensure a thorough clean for your entire mouth.
We also recommend that you continue seeing Dr. Nichols for preventive care. Porcelain crowns tend to last longer when you maintain good oral health.
Book a Consultation with Dr. Nichols
Dr. Michael Nichols is proud to serve as your . To schedule an appointment and learn more about your treatment options, please call Nichols Family Dentistry at (616) 333-8496. 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.