Crowns
Crowns fit over a damaged tooth to protect weak or severely cracked teeth with a permanent outer layer. They are also used after a root canal treatment.
What is involved in getting a crown?
Placing a crown is a fairly involved procedure that will typically require more than one visit. To begin, the tooth needing a crown is evaluated through an examination and x-rays. The dentist will also determine if the root structure is healthy enough or if root canal therapy is necessary before proceeding with a crown. Next, Dr. Schreiner prepares the tooth by filing it down to make room for the crown. He then makes an impression of the filed down tooth and the surrounding teeth so he can send this off to a dental lab to make a crown that is the perfect fit for your tooth. Dr. Scheriner knows the owners of his labs and only uses American labs that use high quality materials, nothing is outsourced to foreign countries. Since lab work typically takes a week or two, your dentist will place a temporary crown to protect your prepared tooth while you wait. Once your crown is finished, you will return to Dr. Schreiner where he will remove your temporary crown and check the newly arrived permanent crown for fit and color. During the crowns permanent placement, patients are given anesthesia to minimize any discomfort. Then, the crown is cemented into its permanent place where it will look and function like a normal tooth.
WHAT IS A CROWN MADE OF?
Dental crowns are made from metal, porcelain, resin, or ceramic. Dr. Schreiner only uses materials where he know the source, are American made, and he knows it is the best choice of materials for you. Crowns are given grooves and cusps that normal teeth have so that they look and function virtually the same as normal teeth.
IS THERE ANY AFTERCARE?
After dental crown placement, many patients experience some swelling and slight pain in the affected area for the next few days. For some, it can last longer, up to a couple weeks. Using a salt water rinse a few times each day will help with the healing process. Dr. Schreiner may also recommend over-the-counter pain medications, which is usually enough to manage the discomfort. Moving forward, simply continue good dental hygiene practices, including brushing and flossing.