What Steps Are Involved in Preparing a Tooth for a Crown?
Preparing a tooth for a crown usually requires two visits to the dentist, the first
step involves examining and preparing the tooth, the second visit involves
placement of the permanent crown.
First Visit: Examining and preparing the tooth. At the first visit
in preparation for a crown, your dentist may take a few X-rays to check the roots of
the tooth receiving the crown and surrounding bone. If the tooth has extensive
decay or if there is a risk of infection or injury to the tooth's pulp, a root canal treatment may first be performed.
Before the process of making your crown is begun, your dentist will
anesthetize (numb) your tooth and the gum tissue around the tooth. Next, the
tooth receiving the crown is filed down along the chewing surface and sides to
make room for the crown. The amount removed depends on the type of crown used
(for instance, all-metal crowns are thinner, requiring less tooth structure
removal than all-porcelain or porcelain-fused-to-metal ones). If, on the other
hand, a large area of the tooth is missing (due to decay or damage), your
dentist will use filling material to "build up" the tooth to support
the crown.
After reshaping the tooth, your dentist will use impression paste or putty
to make an impression of the tooth to receive the crown. Impressions of the
teeth above and below the tooth to receive the dental crown will also be made
to make sure that the crown will not affect your bite.
The impressions are sent to a dental laboratory where the crown will be
manufactured. The crown is usually returned to your dentist's office in 2 to 3
weeks. If your crown is made of porcelain, your dentist will also select the
shade that most closely matches the color of the neighboring teeth. During this
first office visit your dentist will make a temporary crown to cover and
protect the prepared tooth while the crown is being made. Temporary crowns
usually are made of acrylic and are held in place using a temporary cement.
Second Visit: Receiving the permanent dental crown. At your second visit, your dentist will remove your temporary crown and
check the fit and color of the permanent crown. If everything is acceptable, a
local anesthetic will be used to numb the tooth and the new crown is
permanently cemented in place.
Temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ, is a disorder of the temporomandibular joint(s) that causes signs and symptoms including ear pain, bite problems, headaches, dizziness, clicking sounds in the jaw, tinnitus and/or locked jaws. Behaviors or conditions that can lead to TMJ include teeth grinding or clenching, fingernail biting, habitual gum chewing, trauma to the jaw, stress, and occupational hazards. Treatment for TMJ may include heat, ice, a soft diet, antiinflammatory medications, physical therapy, stress management, occlusal therapy, correction of bite abnormalities, and surgery.
Toothache usually refers to pain around the teeth or jaws. In most instances, toothaches are caused by tooth or jaw problems, such as a dental cavity, a cracked tooth, an exposed tooth root, gum disease, disease of the jaw joint (TMJ), or spasms of the muscles used for chewing. A toothache can also be caused by a problem that does not originate from a tooth or the jaw, like diseases of the heart (angina or heart attack), ear infections, and sinus infections. A thorough oral examination, which includes dental X-rays, can help determine the cause.
An allergy refers to a misguided reaction by our immune system in response to bodily contact with certain foreign substances. When these allergens come in contact with the body, it causes the immune system to develop an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to it. It is estimated that 50 million North Americans are affected by allergic conditions. The parts of the body that are prone to react to allergies include the eyes, nose, lungs, skin, and stomach. Common allergic disorders include hay fever, asthma, allergic eyes, allergic eczema, hives, and allergic shock.
Gum disease is caused by plaque and may result in tooth loss without proper treatment. Symptoms and signs of gum disease (gingivitis or periodontal disease) include receding gums, bad breath and pocket formation between the teeth and gums. Treatment depends upon the stage of the gum disease, how you responded to earlier treatments, and your overall health.
Bruxism is the medical term for teeth grinding. Bruxism may be caused by stress or anxiety and often happens during sleep. Symptoms and signs include jaw pain, headache, and abnormalities in your teeth. Treatment may involve practicing stress-management techniques, cutting back on caffeine and alcohol, avoiding gum chewing, training oneself not to grind the teeth, and wearing a mouth guard.
Dental injuries range from a chipped or fractured tooth to a knocked out tooth. Treatment depends upon the severity of the dental injury. Dental injuries may be prevented by aligning protruding front teeth with braces and using face masks and mouthguards while playing sports.
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