Here’s How Your Dentist Prepares Your Tooth for a Dental Crown!

Are you in need of a new dental crown? When a tooth has experienced significant damage, sometimes it is ideal to place a dental crown over it to protect it from additional harm and give it more structure. This procedure requires a unique preparation process in order to be successful. Continue reading to learn which steps you can expect when it’s time to get your new restoration.

Removing Damage

The first step in the dental crown preparation process is damage removal. This is when your dentist removes any damaged or decayed areas of the tooth using dental tools. You don’t need to worry about discomfort, as you will be administered a local anesthetic beforehand to numb the area. Having this damage removed is crucial in restoring the health of your tooth.

Cleaning

Next, your dentist will clean the tooth. In a lot of cases, the removal of damage and decay will result in empty spaces. These areas are susceptible to bacteria growth, so they need to be thoroughly cleaned out and disinfected.

Filling

After the tooth has been cleaned out, your dentist will fill in the empty spaces with dental material. This is used to keep bacteria out of the tooth, therefore eliminating the potential for any new infections.

Smoothing

The final step in the preparation process is for your dentist to smooth the surface of your tooth. Decayed and damaged teeth often have areas that are sharp. Dental instruments are used to shave down certain spots. You shouldn’t feel any pain thanks to your local anesthetic.

Placement of the Crown

Traditionally, a temporary crown is placed over the prepared tooth to keep it safe while your permanent, custom-crafted crown is being made at the dental laboratory. Then, you would have to return a couple of weeks later for a second appointment to have your permanent crown placed. Fortunately, with CEREC same-day dental crowns, you don’t need to worry about making time in your schedule for a second appointment. Your new crown can be milled the same day using computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) to scan the tooth and create a three-dimensional model. You can have your tooth prepared and your new crown placed in a single appointment!

If you have an upcoming appointment to get a new dental crown, now you know exactly what you can expect. Your new crown can help your damaged tooth to stay healthy for many more years to come!

About the Practice

At Pace Dental of Vienna, Dr. Ahmed Saad and Dr. Olga Spivak are always eager to serve patients in their community. Everyone’s smile is different, so they take the time to personalize every treatment to meet each patient’s needs. They offer CEREC same-day restorations so patients can get their new dental crowns without the wait. For more information on dental crowns or to schedule an appointment, visit their website or call (703) 705-7476.