Crowns, sometimes called caps, protect and cover damaged teeth. They are often used for teeth that are:
- Largely decayed
- Poorly shaped or misaligned
- Stained
- Broken
- Have had root canals
- Have damaged fillings
Putting on a dental crown will usually take two appointments. During the first visit, your dentist will make sure that your tooth can support a crown. They will then remove the damage in preparation for the crown. If the tooth is majorly broken or damaged, your dentist might fill it in so that it will be big enough to hold the crown.
When the tooth has been filled, an impression of the tooth and surrounding teeth will be taken. The dentist will send it to the lab so that they can make the permanent crown. Before leaving your first appointment, a temporary crown will be placed on the affected tooth to protect it until the permanent one is ready.
Your second visit will be scheduled for when the permanent crown is ready. Your temporary crown will be removed, and the dentist will solidify the new crown to your tooth with a special adhesive. It may take a while before you get used to the feel of the permanent crown in your mouth.
Feel free to call the office if you have any questions about this procedure.