Getting a dental crown is a common and effective way to restore a damaged tooth while protecting its long-term health and function. Porcelain dental crowns are especially popular because they’re designed to blend naturally with your smile, making them a durable and aesthetically pleasing solution from our Ocoee, FL, dentists for cracked, weakened, or severely worn teeth.
If you’ve never had a dental crown before, it’s normal to have questions about the process. From preparing the tooth to placing the final restoration, understanding what to expect can help you feel more comfortable and confident before your appointment.
Here’s what dental crown treatment typically involves.
When Do I Need a Dental Crown?
Dental crowns aren’t just about aesthetics, they’re built to restore strength and function. If you’ve had significant decay or a fracture, a crown acts like a helmet for your tooth. It reinforces what’s left and seals out bacteria.
Common reasons for getting a dental crown placed include:
- Large cavities that can’t be filled
- A worn-down or cracked tooth
- Recent root canal procedure
- Protecting a tooth affected by bruxism (excessive tooth grinding/clenching)
- Cosmetic improvement for misshaped or discolored teeth
If you’re , it’s especially important, since the tooth is no longer alive and more prone to breaking without reinforcement.
How Will My First Dental Crown Appointment Go?
The traditional dental crown procedure usually takes two visits. The first one is all about preparation. Our local dentists will begin by examining the tooth and taking X-rays to ensure a crown is the best solution. If there’s infection or deep decay, treatment will need to happen first, sometimes with emergency dental care if the damage is severe.
Once cleared, the tooth is reshaped to make room for the crown. This involves removing a small portion of enamel from all sides. After shaping, a quick digital dental impression is taken. This impression is sent to a lab, where your porcelain dental crown is custom-made to match your bite and tooth shade.
Before you leave, a temporary crown is placed to protect your tooth while you wait for your new dental crown.
How Long Will I Wait for My Dental Crown?
It usually takes about a few weeks for a dental lab to create a custom porcelain dental crown. During this time, you’ll wear the temporary crown. It’s important to treat it gently while you’re outside of our Ocoee, FL, dental office.
Avoid sticky or overly hard foods, and chew on the opposite side of your mouth if possible. If the temporary crown becomes loose or falls off, contact our dentists so we’re aware of what’s occurred. Keeping the tooth protected prevents damage and discomfort while you’re in between visits, so we’ll want to remedy the situation sooner than later.
The Final Dental Crown Placement
When your final restoration is ready, you’ll come back for dental crown placement. Our dentists will remove the temporary crown and check the fit and color of the permanent one. Minor adjustments might also be made on the spot.
Once everything looks and feels right, the crown is cemented into place. You’ll bite down a few times to confirm the fit. After that, you’re good to go. It might feel a little unfamiliar at first, but within a few days, most people forget they even have a new dental crown.
Dental Crown Aftercare & What to Watch For
Proper care is key to keeping your porcelain crown in top shape. Brush and floss like normal, and don’t skip professional teeth cleanings. While porcelain is durable, it’s not indestructible, so avoid using your teeth to open things and chewing on ice or pens.
If you experience pain when biting, lingering sensitivity, or the crown feels loose, call our office. These could be early signs of an issue needing attention. And if you ever suffer trauma to a crowned tooth, urgent dental care may be needed to assess and restore it.
Make an Appointment Today
There really aren’t any surprises when it comes to putting a dental crown on a tooth. It’s a routine procedure that our dental crown dentists in Ocoee, FL, have done many times over so you can rest assured that you’re in good hands. Call Classic Smiles today at (407) 293-3002 to request an appointment and get started.
