A Dentist Robina crown is a custom-made covering for one or more damaged teeth. They can be made from a variety of materials including porcelain, ceramic, glass or metal and they can improve the way teeth look and function. They can be used to protect a tooth that has been damaged by decay or injury, cover a discoloured or misshapen tooth, support a large filling, complete a root canal treatment or anchor a bridge.
The Procedure
A local anaesthetic is often applied to the area around your natural tooth and gum so that you don’t feel any discomfort. Next, the natural tooth is prepared to receive the crown by filing down its chewing surface and sides. This is done to make room for the crown to fit on top and it will vary depending on the type of crown you’re getting.
During this process, your dentist will take an impression of the reshaped tooth and any nearby teeth that are in need of a crown to ensure that the new crown will be shaped to fit perfectly. These impressions are sent to a dental lab where your crown will be custom-made to your exact specifications and then cemented in place.
Your tooth will be numbed before the procedure begins and the natural tooth will be prepared to receive the crown by filing down its molar and enamel surfaces, as well as along its chewing edges. The amount of the tooth that needs to be filed down varies depending on the type of crown you’re receiving, so let your dentist at Lexington Family Smile help you decide which type will best suit your needs.
The Crown is Created
Once your dentist has reshaped the tooth, a putty-like material is used to make an impression for the crown to be moulded to. Your dentist will then send these impressions to the dental lab where your crown will be sculpted and shipped to your dentist in two to three weeks.
When your permanent crown is ready, you’ll return to the dentist for a second appointment where your crown will be fitted and checked. If everything is good, you’ll be given a temporary crown to wear until your permanent crown has been fabricated.
You’ll also need to continue with your normal oral care, as the temporary crown won’t be as durable as your permanent crown. For example, don’t eat sticky foods or anything that can be pulled off your tooth with the temporary crown in place. You’ll also need to avoid chewing on the side that has the temporary crown on as it might irritate your gums and cause them to separate from the tooth.
The Colour of Your Crown
Once the crown has been made, your dentist will need to match it to your existing teeth in order to ensure that your smile looks its best. This can be a difficult task for some patients, but with a little bit of patience and guidance from your dentist, you can be assured that you’ll get a crown that not only looks natural, but also feels as comfortable as possible.