How long does it take a crown to be put on?

One common procedure many people undergo at the dentist is dental crowns installation. After all, it’s a treatment option with a wide application of uses. Dental crowns are often recommended for patients who need extra fillings on certain teeth. This can occur when a patient undergoes a root canal or needs a large filling that exceeds the natural tooth structure. Other than being a curative treatment, crowns are also recommended for cosmetic purposes.

If your dentist has recommended that you get crowns installed on a few teeth, here are the basics of the placement, preparation, and installation processes:

Placing a Temporary Crown

Before installing the permanent crown, the dentist will have to place a temporary crown. The purpose of the temporary crown is to keep the prepared tooth from moving as well as to keep it from contamination before the tooth is filled. No movement must occur in the prepared tooth as it can cause problems in the fitting of the permanent crown.

Those having permanent crowns installed should note that the procedure can cause their teeth to become extremely hypersensitive to temperature and pressure. If you experience sensitivity and discomfort, let your dentist know as they may have to redo the process of making a final impression and fabricating a permanent crown.

Preparing the Tooth’s Crown

In preparing the crown of the tooth before it is filled, the dentist will first take a small impression of the affected tooth. The purpose of the impression is to ensure the size of the tooth that needs to be filled. The dentist will then fill the impression tray with an acrylic resin material. After one to two minutes, the material will have set and the impression can be removed from your mouth.

At this point, the temporary crown can now be shaped according to the size of the area that needs to be filled. To secure the temporary crown onto the tooth, the dentist will place a temporary cement over the tooth. The dentist will make sure that there are no rough or sharp edges surrounding the crown and that there are no hindrances to biting using the upper and lower teeth.

Installing the Permanent Crown

A permanent crown typically takes around seven to ten business days to be completed. Once it’s ready, the dentist can cement it to your teeth and make it permanent. The first part of the procedure is the injection of a local anesthetic to numb the affected tooth and its surrounding tissues. The dentist can thereafter remove the temporary crown from the tooth. Then, the dentist will clean the tooth and any surrounding teeth thoroughly.

When the tooth is completely dry, the dentist can start putting on the permanent crown onto the tooth while checking for possible contact between the teeth. The dentist will use dental floss to make sure that the crown will fit properly. Once the crown is secured, the dentist can start the cementation process. The dentist will first clean and dry the tooth by isolating it from saliva and applying a desensitizing agent to secure the permanent crown as well as possible.

Conclusion

When you visit your dentist, it’s essential to understand the reason behind every procedure. If you have other queries regarding your permanent crown treatment, don’t hesitate to bring them up with your dentist.

Seeking a cosmetic dental procedure? If you’re looking for highly skilled dentists in Ann Arbor and Waterford, MI, we’re the ones for you. Schedule an appointment with us today!

Dental veneers are made of porcelain or composite resin material. The shells cover the front surface of a patient's front teeth and can be used to change the size, shape, or color of teeth. These restorations have been used for years to transform smiles, but some may wonder about their permanency. There are several reasons…

If you are wondering how long does it take to get a dental crown, you must know that it is a simple and swift procedure. It usually takes 2 dental appointments to get a fully functional crown on your damaged or weak tooth.

The first visit is for shaping the tooth and measuring it. The second one is when the crown is ready. This takes from 2 days to 2 weeks, to place it on the tooth. Some dental clinics can also make the crowns in a day using computer programs. However, to make the best decision, you must exactly know how long does it take to get a dental crown. Crowns are also placed after a dental implant procedure in order to protect a severely damaged tooth.

If you have missing teeth, a dental bridge or dental implant could be the obvious choice. 

In this article we will provide you with all the information about dental crown placement:

How long does it take to get a dental crown procedure?

The permanent crown procedure is usually done in two ways. In the traditional approach, visit your dentist at least twice. During the first visit, your natural tooth is shaped and measured for the creation of your crown. But the second approach uses CAD/CAM (Computer-aided Design/Computer-aided Manufacturing), which means you can have your crown the same day you visit your dentist. You can find detailed information about both procedures in this article.

Traditional Procedure with Temporary Crowns

As you know, crowns are used when patients have a tooth decay, damaged teeth or a broken tooth that needs a strong cover. All crowns, regardless of their procedure, can provide your teeth with efficient protection. Also, some types of crowns are supposed to improve the beauty of your smile by covering discolored teeth. 

The First visit

Usually, the entire process of traditional crown usually takes 2 visits. During the first appointment, your dentist removes up to 75% of your tooth, most of which is the damaged part. If the remaining tooth is not strong enough to support the crown, they should create some filling material to create a healthier support. Most dentists perform a root canal treatment a few months before this first appointment to save the tooth structure. Gum tissue around the tooth is also examined to make sure the patient is not allergic to any material. 

Then, the dentist carefully measures your prepared tooth and sends the mold to a dental lab. This session usually takes about one hour, more or less, but depending on your situation and the complexity of the crown process, it might take up to 90 minutes.  

Using a removable adhesive, the dentist places a temporary crown on your tooth. Even though your tooth is not exposed, because of the sensitivity during this period, avoid hard food, or too hot or too cold drinks. Be careful with your dental care and oral health during this time because of sensitive teeth.

The Second Visit

How long does it take? Depending on the lab your dentist works with, this length can vary from 2 days to 2 weeks. When the crown is prepared, whether metal crowns or porcelain crown, you will receive a call to go to the dental clinic in order to see the result.

First, you need to get rid of the temporary crown. When your natural tooth is all cleaned and ready, it is time to place the finished crown to see using the dental cement. If it needs fixing to become the right size, your doctor will do it using a drill. The second dental appointment lasts for about 30 minutes.

Can I Get a Crown the Same Day?

Yes, by choosing a clinic that provide you with a same-day procedure.

Sometimes patients can’t visit their dentist twice, which is the minimum times the preparation of traditional crowns requires. So, when choosing your ideal dentist and clinic, this is one factor that might change your decision. 

Fortunately, there’s a solution for everyone. A better solution is to make a single appointment with a dentist that has computer programs called CAD-CAM. Creating 3-D digital images of the patient’s tooth, the computer then makes the crown, tooth-shaped cap, which enables the dentist to place the crown in one visit.

However, this technology is not available everywhere, and the cost is pretty high in comparison with the traditional procedure, even the ones that only take two days for the crown to be prepared. 

If you decide not to go for a dental crown procedure just because a one-day procedure is expensive or you don’t have enough time to choose the traditional one, do not postpone it. If you have time, but the price is too high, you can always look into other options, such as medical tourism. 

Does My Crown Type Affect the Procedure?

Because of the variety of materials used in dental crowns, patients sometimes become confused about which one to choose. These different types include gold crowns, porcelain crowns, ceramic crowns, Zirconia, E-MAX and so on. 

Regardless of the crown types, the length of dental crown placement and preparation depends on your dentist’s method and their associated lab.  

How long does it take to get a dental crown in Istanbul?

Patients who come to Istanbul for a dental crown should visit the dentist 2 to 3 times. The lab usually needs 2 days to make the crown. If everything goes well, you need to be in Istanbul for 5 days. In case the crown is not fit and needs further changes after the second appointment, your trip might take about 7 days.

How long does it take to get a dental crown placed?

Is getting a crown painful?