How is a Dental Crown Applied?

When a tooth is damaged or decayed, a dental crown makes restoration possible. Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS of Fullerton, CA uses crowns as an option to keep a patient’s natural tooth in place.

Dental crowns are like caps that go on your tooth. They can be created out of gold, porcelain fused to metal, or porcelain. They are completely customized to blend in with the rest of your natural teeth, so they are not only restoring your oral health but also improving the aesthetic look of your smile!

To begin the process of applying a dental crown, your tooth will be reshaped to fit the crown and then an impression will be taken of the tooth. A dental laboratory will use the impression to create a custom crown that will have the look and feel of one of your natural teeth. The laboratory process can take between two and three weeks, so your dentist will place a temporary crown so you can still use your tooth normally during that time. When the permanent crown is ready, it is cemented into place.

Dental crowns are perfect for when there is too much damage for a filling to hold. It is always ideal to keep your natural teeth, so the dental crown is there to strengthen and restore function of that tooth.

If you would like to learn more about dental crowns, visit our website or give us a call. Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS is located in Fullerton, CA. Our office can be reached at (714) 879-7943 and we can also be reached through our website, www.fullertondental.com. 

What to Expect After a Crown Application

Any dental procedure will probably introduce some changes in your mouth. Maybe it is just healing time or maybe it is getting used to the feeling of a newly restored tooth. When a dental crown is applied, there are several things you will need to be aware of that Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS of Fullerton, CA wants you to know.

During the process of applying a crown restoration, you will most likely wear a temporary crown while your permanent crown is being created. We take impressions of your tooth and the surrounding area so that a laboratory can create a custom crown, so it may take a few weeks for the crown to be ready. During the time you are wearing the temporary crown, you want to be careful when eating and cleaning your teeth. Stay away from especially hard or sticky foods, as this may pull on the crown or make it pop off. When brushing and flossing, be gentle on the tooth (you should be brushing gently anyway). When flossing, do not pull up on the floss. Instead, move the floss upward gently by moving the floss back and forth.

After your permanent crown is cemented into place, the gum tissues in the area will need some time to heal. They may feel sore or irritated and there may be some swelling. You can take ibuprofen or rinse with salt water to help with swelling and pain. After a while, the new crown will feel like one of your own teeth.

For more information about dental crowns, feel free to visit our website. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric M Meyer, DDS, of Fullerton, CA, call us at (714) 879-7943 or visit our website, www.fullertondental.com.