Our Grand Rapids, MI, dentist, may recommend the dental crown procedure to restore a tooth’s natural strength, function, and appearance. But it’s important that you know what to expect during your next appointment so you can be mentally prepared.
Dr. Nichols and his team also want you to feel informed and confident during treatment so you feel in control of your dental health journey.
Here’s what you need to know about dental crown treatment at Nichols Family Dentistry.
Dental crowns aren’t just about aesthetics, they’re built to restore how your tooth “performs” on a daily basis. If you’ve had significant decay or a fracture, a new dental crown acts like a helmet for your tooth. It reinforces what’s left and seals out bacteria.
If you’re , it’s especially important, since the tooth is no longer alive and more prone to breaking without reinforcement.
First, you’ll need to schedule a consultation with our local family dentist. During your appointment, Dr. Nichols will examine the inside of your mouth and may take dental X-rays. With this information, he’ll be able to determine the best course of action to restore the full function of your smile.
The treatment he recommends will depend on the extent of damage to the tooth. Ultimately, you won’t know if dental crown placement is needed until you see our dentist and receive an official diagnosis.
A covers the entire visible portion of your tooth above the gum line. As such, Dr. Nichols will need to prepare the receiving tooth so the custom dental crown will fit over top. Otherwise, the crown will make your tooth look large and bulky.
Dr. Nichols will prepare the tooth by removing any decay or damage. He’ll then file down the tooth so the crown fits comfortably over top.
Next, we’ll take impressions of your teeth and send them to the lab. While you wait for the lab to make your permanent dental crown, we’ll place a temporary crown over your tooth in the meantime. This will protect your tooth until we call you back to our Grand Rapids, MI, dental office for your second appointment.
When you return for your second appointment, your finalized dental crown will be ready.
Dr. Nichols will remove the temporary crown and replace it with the permanent crown. Before bonding the new dental crown in place, he’ll ensure that it’s the correct size, shape, and color. That way, your dental crown will match the rest of your smile.
Once Dr. Nichols is satisfied with the look and fit of the permanent tooth crown, he’ll bond it in place. He’ll also check your bite to ensure that your teeth make proper contact. This will save you from any issues with chewing and eating later.
The end result is a dental crown that looks and feels natural.
Proper care is key to keeping your porcelain crown in top shape. Brush and floss like normal, and don’t skip routine teeth cleanings. While porcelain is durable, it’s not indestructible, so avoid using your teeth to open things and chewing on ice or pens.
If you experience pain when biting, lingering sensitivity, or the crown feels loose, call our office. These could be early signs of an issue needing attention. And if you ever suffer trauma to a crowned tooth, urgent dental care may be needed to assess and restore it.
Dr. Michael Nichols is proud to serve as your local family dentist in Grand Rapids, MI. To schedule an appointment and learn more about your treatment options, please call Nichols Family Dentistry at (616) 333-8496. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you soon.
This blog post has been updated.
