Dental crowns are one of the most common restorative procedures there is, and we’ve done a lot of them at the Mt. Vernon Center for Dentistry in Alexandria. Placing a typical crown consists of several steps:
Tooth Preparation
The tooth being crowned must be anesthetized. All decay is removed and the tooth is shaped. Usually tooth must be filed and shaped. Sometimes the tooth is too small to begin with; in that case, we build up the core of the tooth with filling material to construct a tough base for the crown.
Creating a Good Impression
A putty-like substance is used to mold an impression of the tooth and surrounding teeth. An impression will also be made of the teeth that oppose the crown. This ensures that the crown does not negatively influence the bite.
The Temporary Crown
A temporary crown is used to guard the tooth and be sure it doesn’t move in the mouth while the permanent crown is being constructed. Patients need to be careful with their temporary crown. It is not as strong as the permanent crown and is attached only with temporary cement. Avoid chewing gum and eating sticky foods.
Your Crown Is Put In Place
When the new crown is ready, it is placed it in your mouth and fitted. This process shouldn’t be rushed. Sometimes less than a millimeter of drilling can make the difference between an ill-fitting crown that makes irregular contact with the opposing teeth and a crown that is properly fitted.
At the Mt. Vernon Center for Dentistry in Alexandria we place a lot of dental crowns. Patients throughout the area come to us for these and other restorative dentistry procedures. Call to schedule an appointment today!
Contact Mt. Vernon Center For Dentistry:
703-360-5881
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
8101 Hinson Farm Rd Ste 114
Alexandria, Virginia
22306
