A Step-By-Step Guide To The Dental Crown Procedure

Are your broken and damaged teeth causing you constant pain? Or do you find yourself hiding your smile out of embarrassment? Book a dental crown consultation today.

Dental crowns are a safe and routine treatment with life-changing benefits. If concerns or fears are holding you back from this procedure, we’re here to help. This detailed guide will explain every step of the process so you know what to expect before booking your dental crown treatment.

Dental crown consultation

Your journey starts with a consultation. Carried out at your local Yorkshire Dental Suite clinic, your dentist will conduct a thorough oral health examination. This includes X-rays, CT scans and photographs.

During this appointment a treatment plan is created by your dentist, and your finance options are discussed. Take this time to ask any questions you have – we want to make you feel as comfortable and prepared as possible prior to your procedure.

Preparation for a dental crown

If any issues are found during your consultation that could make you illegible for treatment (or affect its success), these will need to be treated prior to having your crown fitted. Patients needing supplementary procedures can expect a longer treatment time and higher costs.

Dental crown procedure

On the day of the treatment, you will be welcomed by a friendly team and taken to your state-of-the-art surgery room, where our renowned team of dentists will get to work on your smile.

1. You are first given sedation or local anaesthetic
2. Part of the enamel is filed down, creating enough space for the crown to fit snugly
3. Impressions are taken of the tooth
4. A temporary dental crown is fit

This signals the end of the first appointment. While you wear your temporary crown, our team uses the impressions previously taken to create your permanent crown. It’s then time to return to Yorkshire Dental Suite and start the second part of your journey.

1. The temporary crown is removed
2. Your final custom-made crown is placed
3. The colour, shape and bite alignment of the new crown is checked
4. This crown is permanently bonded in place
5. You leave the practice with your perfect new smile

How painful is a dental crown procedure? This is a question we commonly receive. With your choice of sedation or local anaesthetic, you will not feel any discomfort. You may feel a small pinch of the needle if you have opted for local anaesthetic, but this is temporary. We can also provide a numbing cream to remove this sensation.

Dental crown recovery

Different stages of dental crown recovery requires different actions. To help ensure the long-term success of this procedure, we have put together a rough timeline of your recovery and our top tips.

Caring for your permanent crown – the first 24 hours

During this time, the special dental cement used to attach the crown to your tooth will still be setting. We recommend following a soft food diet to avoid damaging or displacing your new crown.

Caring for your permanent crown – the first two weeks

Your teeth may be sensitive to hot and cold food and drinks, and your gums can feel sore. Manage this sensitivity with your typical over-the-counter pain medication and slight diet modifications.

Long-term dental crown aftercare

Your tooth should have fully adjusted to your dental crown by this point. Any sensitivity or gum inflammation has typically subsided - if this isn’t the case, contact your dentist. There are many things you can now do to enjoy the full lifespan of your crown:

• Be mindful of your diet: Avoid very hard, crunchy or sticky foods as these may chip, crack or displace your crown.
• Be mindful of staining: Dental crowns cannot be whitened. If able, avoid pigmented food and drinks like caffeine and berries.
• Do not use your teeth as tools: Biting your nails or ripping clothing tags off with your teeth increases the risk of crown damage.
• Attend regular dental check-ups: This allows your dentist to ensure there are no underlying issues with your crown.
• Wear a mouthguard: If you grind your teeth or play contact sports, consider wearing a mouthguard to help protect your newly fixed tooth.
• Maintain a great oral hygiene routine: Brush twice a day (for two minutes at a time) with a fluoride toothpaste and high-quality toothbrush. Don’t forget to floss daily too – this stops debris from getting stuck around your gumline.

How long do dental crowns last?

If well cared for by the patient, a dental crown can last 15 years or even longer. This longevity differs based on the type of material used to create your crown, for example, zirconia lasts significantly longer than silver (15+ years versus five, respectively).

Dental crowns are not indestructible. With time they begin to weaken, leading to chips, breaks or loss of the crown altogether. If this happens, simply contact your dentist to discuss replacement. Persistent sensitivity, gum recession and difficulty when chewing are other signs that suggest your crown needs renewing.

Conclusion:

A routine procedure, dental crowns give you back the strong, healthy smile you once had. If you have been considering this treatment but haven’t yet taken the first step, take this as a sign and book your consultation today.