Dental crowns protect natural teeth that have been severely damaged due to decay, infections, or fractures. They are also necessary to protect teeth after a root canal. If you’ve never had a dental crown, you likely have questions about the process. Read on to learn what to expect if you need a dental crown, and how long it will take to get a crown.
Reasons Dental Crowns are Necessary
Dental crowns are necessary when a cavity is too large for a filling. This is because decay weakens teeth. While minor to moderate decay can be remedied with a filling, significant decay cannot be because of the risk of developing a crack, or fracture in the tooth. A dental crown, which covers most or all of the tooth prevents the tooth from cracking.
If a tooth has already developed a crack, a dental crown may be required to prevent infection. Cracked teeth are prone to developing often painful infections as bacteria make their way through the cracks to the pulp (interior) of the tooth.
Dental crowns are also used cosmetically. Front teeth that are significantly chipped, for example, may be best restored with a crown. Dental crowns are also the visible portion of dental implants. Finally, dental crowns protect teeth that have had root canal treatments.
How Long Will it Take to Get a Dental Crown?
There are two types of dental crowns. From start to finish, the process of getting a traditional crown generally takes several weeks. During your first appointment, the affected tooth will be filed down to fit a crown. Impressions will then be taken and sent to the lab. You will be fitted with a temporary crown before leaving your appointment. Once your permanent crown has arrived from the lab you’ll return to have it fitted and permanently bonded to the tooth.
Thanks to technological innovations known as Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Milling (CAD/CAM) dental crowns may now be completed in a single office visit. If you’re a candidate for this type of dental crown, your tooth will be filed to fit the crown, a special scanning device will take digital impressions, and the restoration will be made on-site using 3D technology. This advanced technology allows patients to receive a dental crown in a single visit or the following day.
Are Crowns Made at the Dentist’s Office as Strong as Traditional Dental Crowns?
Yes. Same-day or next-day dental crowns are milled from a solid piece of very strong tooth-colored composite. Although some types of metal crowns may be slightly stronger, they are less popular options today than in years past. If your dentist thinks that you need a stronger material, they will prescribe a traditional crown, made of materials such as porcelain-fused-to-metal.
It is helpful to know that same-day crowns are often less expensive than lab-created crowns, as you do not need a temporary crown, and the entire procedure only requires one dental visit rather than multiple visits. You also won’t have to deal with a temporary crown for several weeks while waiting for your permanent crown to arrive from the lab.
Book Your Dental Cleaning, Exam, or Treatment for a Toothache Today
If you haven’t seen a dentist in more than six months, it’s time to book an exam and cleaning.
A & R Advanced Dental Group has two state-of-the-art technologically advanced dental offices in Pomona and Brooklyn. If you’re suffering from a toothache, contact us today for priority treatment.