Crown placement is the most common type of restorative dental procedure, according to data from the American College of Prosthodontists. With the versatility and durability of crowns, they’re a great choice to restore teeth damaged by trauma, decay, or infection.
Phillip Halper, DDS, and the team at Yardley Family Dental are skilled in state-of-the-art crown treatment, using techniques and materials tailored to each patient’s unique needs and treatment goals. If a dental crown is in your future, you might be wondering if getting a crown is uncomfortable. Here’s the answer you’re looking for.
How crowns work
Made of durable, tooth-colored material, dental crowns are designed to snugly fit around an entire tooth, from the tip down to the gum. Crowns are used in restorative and cosmetic treatments, depending on each patient’s specific concerns and treatment goals.
Dr. Halper routinely uses dental crowns to:
- Cover large, dark fillings
- “Rebuild” a tooth that’s broken
- Restore a tooth that has a lot of decay
- Improve the look of a deeply discolored tooth
- Protect a tooth that’s been treated with root canal therapy
Crowns are also used in combination with dental bridges to protect and strengthen the teeth supporting the bridge.
The crown procedure: What to expect
Crowns are custom made on a patient-by-patient basis at a dental lab that specializes in state-of-the-art restorations. In most cases, the placement process takes two office visits.
At the first visit, Dr. Halper shapes the tooth that’s getting the crown, removing some of the outer layers of the tooth. This step is necessary to provide room for the crown.
Next, he makes an impression of the tooth. The impression serves as a model for your actual finished crown. Before you leave the office, Dr. Halper places a temporary crown on your tooth to protect in the meantime.
At the second visit, Dr. Halper removes the temporary crown and cleans the tooth surface before “dry-fitting” the crown. Once the crown is properly placed, he cements it in place, adjusting it and polishing it for a completely comfortable fit.
What about pain?
Crown placement can cause some discomfort during both the tooth shaping and the adjustment of the crown. The good news: Dr. Halper numbs your tooth, just like he does with a filling. Once your tooth is numb, you won’t feel any pain during the crown preparation, fitting, or application.
After your crown is in place, it’s common to have some minor discomfort in the area, just as you may feel after a filling. Discomfort doesn’t last long, and in the meantime, over-the-counter pain medicine can keep you comfortable.
Restore your beautiful smile
Dental crowns perform a lot of important functions, restoring your teeth, your smile, and your confidence. To learn more about dental crowns at our Yardley, Pennsylvania, practice, call 724-271-8087 or book an appointment online with Dr. Halper today.