A dental crown procedure is a step by step process leading to a beautiful dental crown. In most cases, the restoration is made of porcelain fused to gold alloy. Metal is hidden underneath the porcelain and helps support and strengthen the crown against fracture. The first step and perhaps the most important, is determining the need for a crown. The tooth should be healthy with no signs of problems in the x-ray. Closely examining the tooth helps avoid dental crown pain and the possibility of the tooth later having to have a root canal. The x-ray should show that most of the natural tooth crown is made of older filling material. After confirming the need, a dental crown appointment is made.

          The dental crown procedure first involves reducing the tooth to a miniature shape. This is done with diamond dental burs and a high speed dental drill. The dentist numbs the tooth and waits a few minutes to allow the anaesthesia to take effect. In most cases the shaping takes five minutes. The next step is to take an impression of the preparation. The impression is used to make an statue of the prepared tooth. This dental model is used in a dental laboratory to construct the restoration. It usually takes 1 to 2 weeks to make the new dental crown. Most dentists make crown delivery appointments about 2 weeks after the first crown preparation.

           The next step in the dental crown procedure is to install the new dental restoration. Dentists call it a crown delivery. The dental crown is fit into the patient's mouth. It must fit the bite and correctly contact the adjacent teeth. The dentist confirms that the crown properly covers the prepared tooth. After he adjustments the porcelain is glazed to restore the smooth surface and the exposed metal is polished.

          The final step in the dental crown procedure cements the adjusted crown. There are many ways to cement it on the tooth. The oldest technique uses zinc oxyphosphate, however, the use of new resin cements is becoming more popular. If you need a dental crown and would like a free dental consultation with our Atlanta Cosmetic Dentist, Dr. Mark Allan Padolsky, call and make an appointment at 404-874-7428.