The Dental Crowns Placement Process from Start to Finish By Dr. Degel on February 06, 2017

The dental crowns placement process at our Queens, NY dental practice generally takes two appointments to complete. At Astoria Dental Group, our dentists educate patients on this process so they understand what to expect every step of the way. The end result is a beautiful, custom-fitted crown and a healthier smile. To learn more about the dental crown procedure or to schedule an appointment, contact our office staff today.

Examination and Evaluation

Prior to beginning treatment, we will thoroughly examine your tooth. We may take x-rays and other scans to view the extent of damage or decay to the tooth. These allow us to determine whether a crown is necessary or if we can repair the tooth with a tooth-colored filling instead.

Preparing the Tooth

Once we determine that a crown is needed to repair your tooth, we can numb and begin preparing the tooth. This process involves the use of specialized dental instruments to remove the damaged and decayed areas. Then, we will reshape the tooth, making it smaller and more uniform. This creates the room needed for the crown. In some cases, we may also need to reshape the gum line.

Impressions

After the reshaping process is complete, we can take impressions of the tooth. We will send these impressions to a laboratory where a skilled dental technician will use them to create your custom crown.

Temporary Crown

To protect your tooth in between appointments, we will place a temporary crown. This can feel bulky and awkward since it is not customized for your tooth. It will, however, protect your tooth from further damage while you wait for your custom crown.

Creation of the Crown

In a dental laboratory, a skilled technician will create your custom-fitted crown based on the impressions of your tooth. A variety of different materials are available, including metal, porcelain, and a combination of the two. If you select porcelain, the technician will expertly match the color of the crown to your adjacent teeth. This process typically takes about two weeks to complete.

Remove Temporary Crown

When we receive your crown back from the lab, we will call you to come in for your second and final appointment. We will begin by removing the temporary crown. If needed, we may file down any excess cement.

Fitting and Placing the Permanent Crown

Before cementing your custom crown in place, we will first check the fit. We will make sure the crown fits snugly and does not cause any problems with your bite. We will also check the crown’s appearance. A porcelain crown should match your other teeth in shade, and it should resemble a natural tooth in its shape. Once we are satisfied with the fit, we will apply cement to the inner portion of the crown. Then, we will firmly press the crown into place.