Getting dental crowns can be a stressful experience for many people. The process of tooth preparation, impressions, and waiting for the final work often causes concern and delays. This guide explains all steps of tooth preparation for crowns. Knowing the procedure in advance will help you feel more confident and reduce anxiety.
1. Examination and Treatment Planning
Before starting the procedure, a detailed dental examination is necessary, including X-ray analysis. Depending on your dental issues, the dentist may take individual X-rays, full-mouth X-rays, or 3D scans.
Based on your needs, the dentist will suggest one or more treatment options and define the estimated duration of the entire process. Temporary crowns will also be discussed, which you will wear from the time of tooth preparation until the final crowns are placed.
2. Preparatory Work
Before tooth reduction, the dentist assesses if any preliminary treatments are required. This can include scaling and cleaning, filling repairs, root canal treatment, or tooth buildup.
For patients with existing crowns or bridges that will be replaced, it’s sometimes impossible to predict if preparatory work will be necessary, which may affect the overall timeline.
3. Tooth Reduction
Tooth reduction involves shaping and reducing the tooth so that a crown can be permanently fixed. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and usually includes 3-4 teeth per session.
Impressions may be taken immediately or delayed a few days to allow the gums to heal. Temporary crowns are made and placed immediately, so your teeth appear the same as before the preparation.
4. Sensitivity and Care After Tooth Reduction
Teeth may be sensitive to hot or cold if the nerve has not been removed. Eat and drink moderately and avoid hard foods. Daily oral hygiene is essential, even for temporary crowns.
Be careful with sticky or hard foods to prevent temporary crowns from detaching or breaking.
5. Trial Fitting
A few days after taking the impressions, you return for a trial fitting. Usually, 2-3 trial sessions are required. The dentist checks the fit of the crowns, their relationship to the gums, and their function in chewing.
This is also the time to discuss color, shape, and size preferences, as changes are difficult after cementation.
6. Cementation of Crowns
Once the trial is complete and both technical and aesthetic criteria are met, crowns are permanently cemented. Local anesthesia may be used for comfort. Excess cement is removed, and the bite is checked and adjusted if needed.
7. Aftercare at Home
Teeth may be slightly sensitive for a few days, especially to cold. This is normal and should gradually decrease. Avoid hard foods for the first 24 hours. Maintain regular hygiene for both crowns and natural teeth.
8. Night Guard for Teeth Grinding
If you grind your teeth at night, a protective night guard is recommended to prevent damage to natural and ceramic teeth.
9. Difference Between Crowns and Bridges
A crown is placed on a single tooth, while a bridge replaces one or more missing teeth. The process is the same, except that multiple teeth are prepared for a bridge.
10. Material Differences
Crowns can be made from:
-
Metal-ceramic
-
Zirconia-ceramic
-
Full ceramic
-
Full zirconia
The steps of preparation, impressions, temporary crowns, trial fitting, and cementation are the same regardless of material. The dentist will help you choose the best material for your case.
11. Indications for Crowns and Bridges
Crowns are indicated for:
-
Tooth fractures
-
Large fillings or treated teeth
-
Discolored teeth
-
Misaligned teeth
-
Unfavorable tooth shape
-
Gaps between teeth
Bridges are indicated when one or more teeth are missing. The dentist will evaluate the remaining teeth to ensure they can support the bridge. Implants may also be considered as an alternative.
12. Are You a Candidate?
The best advice comes after an examination and X-ray analysis. Considering the overall situation and your goals, the dentist will recommend the optimal treatment plan.
For a free online consultation, send the following to dr.bede@eunet.rs:
-
Full name
-
Date of birth
-
Changes you want to make to your teeth
-
Full-mouth X-ray (OPT scan)
