Dental Crowns Procedure and Treatment


What is a Dental Crown?


A dental crown, also called a cap, is an artificial dental prosthesis or restoration that is placed over a damaged tooth by your dentist. The primary purpose of a dental crown is to restore the function and aesthetics of that tooth by reinforcing its structure.
A dental crown is fitted over your existing tooth structure using a dental adhesive(dental cement).


When do You Need a Dental Crown?


You will be advised a dental crown by your dentist if you have a tooth that is weakened or broken by decay or a large filling. Other reasons for a dental crown include:


  • To improve the appearance of a discolored tooth

  • To restore form and function of a broken, worn-out or fractured tooth

  • After a root canal treatment to strengthen the crown portion of the tooth

  • As part of a bridge when a missing tooth or teeth need to be replaced

  • On top of an implant to replace a missing tooth

  • In case of a tooth that has a large cavity and the filling is too large

Dental crowns are not just for adults but are also given to children in the following cases:


  • To protect teeth that are highly susceptible to tooth decay due to poor oral hygiene

  • To save a tooth that has been severely damaged due to decay

  • In children who require multiple and frequent dental treatments but cannot be administered frequent general anesthesia

What is a Dental Crown Made Of?


There are two main types of dental crowns–Permanent and Temporary. Both these types are made from different materials.


Commonly used permanent dental crowns are made from the following materials:


  • All Metal –These crowns are made of base metal alloys like cobalt, chromium and nickel. They were popular earlier because they were strong enough to withstand biting forces, rarely chipped or broke, people were not too concerned about their aesthetics, and most important of them all– they were cheap.

  • PFM or Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal In these crowns, the color of the ceramic portion of the crown is matched with the existing teeth color of the patient, thereby increasing aesthetics. When fitted in the mouth, PFM crowns look like natural teeth. These crowns show thermal resistance and are highly durable.

  • All Ceramic – These crowns are made entirely from ceramic or porcelain and have no metal in them. Though they are not as strong as metal crowns, they have superior aesthetics and so, are preferred for front teeth.

  • Zirconium – These are new-age crowns that are highly durable, strong, and have superior aesthetics. They are biocompatible and the best dental crowns to replace both front and back teeth.

What are the Steps Involved in Preparing a Tooth For a Crown?


The process of getting a dental crown usually happens in 2-3 visits.
Here are the steps involved when you decide to get a dental crown:


    1.Evaluation and Treatment Planning


  • At the first visit, your dentist will evaluate your teeth, surrounding bone and gum tissue.

  • He/she will take an x-ray of the tooth or teeth in question.

  • If any tooth is severely decayed, fractured, or has a very large filling, your dentist will recommend performing a root canal treatment on the tooth, followed by placement of a dental crown.

  • In cases where a root canal has already been done on a tooth, the crown can be directly placed after evaluating the quality of the root canal treatment.


    • 2.Tooth Preparation and Fixing of Temporary Crown


  • The tooth in question is shaped and prepared all along its surfaces.

  • An impression is made with a putty material or a digital scanner and sent to the lab for the fabrication of your dental crown, along with a bite record of your upper and lower teeth.

  • Another impression is now made of your shaped tooth/teeth that is used to fabricate a temporary crown in the clinic.

  • This temporary crown is finished, polished and fixed on your prepared tooth with a temporary cement.

    • 3.Fitting of Permanent Dental Crown


  • Your second visit is usually a few days to a week after your first visit.

  • In this visit, your temporary crown is removed by the dentist, and the surface of the tooth is cleaned.

  • Your dentist will now try the final crown that has arrived from the dental lab on the prepared tooth for fitting, bite, margins and aesthetics.

  • Adjustments may be made.

  • If any changes are required, the dental crown is sent back to the lab for finishing touches.

  • If no changes are required, your dentist will fix the dental crown on the tooth with a permanent dental adhesive material.

Your dentist will now give you instructions on how to take care of your dental crown to ensure it lasts long.


What Happens Between Visits?


Once your tooth is prepared for a dental crown and measurements are made, your dentist will fix a temporary crown on the prepared tooth to protect it from decay and fracture until the final crown is fitted. You will need to take extra care of this crown as it is not as strong as the permanent one but is placed only to protect your tooth. You can go about life as usual between the visits.


How Long Does the Treatment Take?


The time from your first visit when your dentist shapes your tooth and fits a temporary crown until your final dental crown is permanently fixed, it can take about 1-2 weeks.


Is Getting a Dental Crown Painful?



Getting a dental crown is not painful. The process is very similar to getting a routine dental filling done and does not require local anesthesia in most cases.


How Does your Dental Crown Feel and Look?


Your dentist will do his/her best to give you a high-quality crown that matches the existing shade, shape and form of adjacent teeth. Infact, the shade of your adjacent teeth is taken as a guide to select the color of your dental crown.


Once your dental crown is fixed, you may experience slight discomfort as it is new. This feeling will pass in a day or two as you get adjusted to your new crown. However, if you feel your bite in uncomfortable or pain in any part of the tooth, visit your dentist right away!


Caring For your Dental Crown


Once fixed, your dental crown is a part of your dentition. It needs to be cared for just like you would your natural teeth, if not more. You must brush your dental crown just like you would your teeth and also floss around it. Infact, since your dental crown is artificial, it might tend to gather more deposits and therefore, requires additional care. Avoid eating sticky, chewy foods, or biting into very hard foods or objects using your crown as it can get dislodged or break. If taken proper care of, dental crowns last for years and in very good shape.


How Much Does a Dental Crown Cost?


Worried about the cost of a dental crown? With Teeth Whitening Suman Dentist, you need not fret over the cost! We assure to provide you with high-quality dental crowns at affordable costs. At Teeth Whitening Suman Dentist, we provide three types of crowns.


Dental crowns are very routinely done in most dental clinics, including all Teeth Whitening Suman Dentist clinics. Be it a missing tooth or a badly decayed one, dental crowns can be your savior. If you wish to know more about dental crowns, visit our experienced dental team at your nearest Teeth Whitening Suman Dentist clinic.


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