Have you ever wondered what’s involved in a dental crown procedure? Do you know what a dental crown does? In this article, here at Smile360, we will explore this topic so you have information you can use to decide if this is a treatment you would need.
What is a dental crown?
Dental crowns are artificial caps that are placed over your damaged, worn or decayed tooth. They are used to protect the tooth below and give you a normal look. Crowns are custom-made and colour matched to your teeth, so won’t disrupt your smile. At our dental clinics in Lagos and Abuja, we produce our own crowns in-house which means we can install them within one visit.
Problems dental crowns solve
Dental crowns can be used as a restorative or cosmetic dental treatment to treat a range of issues. Our dentists may recommend a dental crown as an option to one or more of the following problems:
- Cracked teeth
- Severe tooth damage
- Decayed tooth
- Weakened teeth
- Discoloured teeth
- Misaligned teeth
- And more
Before a dental crown procedure
For most treatments, the dentist will have to take an X-ray to determine the conditions of your teeth and the area surrounding the tooth to be crowned. This is to thoroughly examine the roots of your teeth, as well as the surrounding bone. This is an important step to ensure there is no infection below the tooth’s surface. Your dentist will then administer a local anaesthetic before preparing your tooth to make room for the crown.
Once this is done, they will take an impression of your tooth and send it off to a special lab where your crown gets made. As mentioned above, we have our in-house lab so you can expect your crown within the same visit or maybe two. Once the tooth is prepared, your dentist will place a temporary crown on your tooth if you don’t get it the same day.
During a dental crown procedure
At your second appointment or same treatment (if you visit us), your temporary crown will be removed and your new one permanently fitted. Your dentist will ensure the colour, shape and size are correct before cementing it in place. They may use a local anaesthetic to numb the area first. Once the crown has been fitted your dentist will check to ensure everything is correctly positioned.
After care for a dental crown
Your new crown may also feel odd at first, this is normal and takes some getting used to. It should feel completely normal after a few days. It is recommended that you avoid eating chewy or hard food for the first 24hrs. It is important to care for your crown as you should with all your teeth. This means regular brushing at least twice a day and flossing. When properly cared for, your crown can last up to 20 years.
Speak to Smile360 about dental crowns
At our dental clinic in Lagos and Abuja, our philosophy is to deliver an exceptional dental experience for every one of our patients in a relaxed and comfortable setting. We believe in treating all our patients with compassion and offering quality dental care using state-of-the-art equipment to help people achieve happy and healthy smiles.
Dental crown procedures are extremely common and are a great way to protect damaged teeth while looking completely natural to the naked eye. Our dentists are experts in the area, if you’d like to know more then give us a call.