Dental crowns are one of the most routine procedures offered by dentists worldwide. Among these operations, the most common is the single crown procedure. According to the American College of Prosthodontists, there are approximately 2.3 million crowns created each year. These structures are designed to be placed over the tooth to restore the tooth's size, shape, strength, and appearance. When put into place, the crown will fully encase the entire visible portion of the tooth that lies at and above the gum line.

There are a variety of reasons someone may need a crown. If you have a weak tooth that's decaying and in danger of getting worse, a crown will protect it from further damage. The same goes for a broken or worn-down tooth that's at risk of breaking apart even further. A dental crown serves as a cap to hold all the pieces of the tooth together and in place as they should be.

There are also a number of more aesthetic-based reasons that folks opt for a dental crown procedure. In the cases of discolored or misshapen teeth, a dental crown serves to cover up the offending tooth and create a more normal appearance.

Whatever your reasoning is for a dental crown, you need to be fully prepared for the process. The good news is that these procedures are incredibly common and your dental office likely performs several of them each day. Your dentist or dentists should brief you on all the steps of your dental crown procedure and answer all your questions before you even sit down for your dental appointment. They should be your first point of reference for all the details regarding this process. But here is some additional information to get you started.

The First Visit

Procedures like this are usually broken into two dentists appointments. Your first appointment will involve an examination and preparation of the tooth. Before your dentist can make the crown, they must assess its placement. They will reshape the tooth to create enough support for the crown to rest. Don't worry, your tooth and the surrounding gum tissue will all be numb before any of this begins!

Your dentist will then use a paste or putty to create impressions of the tooth. These impressions are sent by the dentists to a lab where the crown will be manufactured. This process usually takes a couple of weeks. In the meantime, your dentist may give you a temporary crown to hold everything in place until your permanent crown arrives back from the lab.

The Second Visit

Once your crown is ready, it's time for the main event. Your dentist will have you back at the office to permanently cement your crown to your teeth. Just like the previous procedure, your mouth will be numb to avoid pain or discomfort during the process.

Your dentist will then inform you of all the necessary aftercare protocols that you should follow in the coming days and weeks. Then it's time to enjoy your new and improved smile!