As someone suffering from tooth damage or decay and looking into dental crowns, you may ask: how long does a dental crown take? Although dental crowns offer reliable solutions for multiple dental issues, knowing about their timeline can be important when trying to manage limited timeframes.
So today, we are going to take an in-depth look at this procedure and the timeline it takes to get done, as well as factors that can affect its timeline. But first, let’s try to grasp what exactly a dental crown is.
What is a Dental Crown?
In simple terms, dental crowns are small covers designed to encase your damaged teeth and protect them. Dental crowns not only restore the appearance and function of your teeth but also prevent any further damage or tooth decay. These covers are generally made from a selection of materials such as porcelain, metal, resin, and sometimes a combination of different materials. All the materials are selected based on a patient’s unique requirements and also their aesthetic preferences.
If you are visiting a dental care specialist, these are some of the concerns where your dentist will recommend the use of a tooth crown procedure.
- Severe Tooth Decay: This is one of the most common concerns where your teeth lose their natural functionality. A tooth crown can be used to restore it.
- Fractured Teeth: For fractured teeth, using a crown offers a solution that can support the structural strength.
- After A Root Canal Treatment: Dental crowns can offer your teeth an additional layer of protection after a root canal treatment.
- Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures: Crowns are a significant part of cosmetic dentistry and can be used to cover discolored or misshapen teeth.
Understanding the Timeline of Tooth Crown Procedure
Dental crown treatment requires a patient to go through a two-visit step where a decidest decides on the severity of the case and the process to treat it. Here, you can find how your dentist executes this treatment and the steps involved:
Consultation and Tooth Preparation Phase (First Visit)
The first visit of your treatment involves the assessment of your teeth. Here, your dentist prepares you for the tooth crown procedure with an initial consultation. Here is what you will go through this stage:
- Assessment: In this stage, your teeth will be examined using X-rays. This step helps dentists find out the extent of damage your teeth have gone through and also determine the structural strength. You will be recommended a tooth crown procedure only when the surrounding structure is healthy enough to support it.
- Tooth Reduction: Your dentist will use a tooth reduction procedure to provide your damaged tooth with the desired shape necessary for a dental crown to fit. In case your teeth have already gone through severe decay, the dentist will remove those decayed parts and restructure them before proceeding with the crowing procedure.
- Temporary Crown: After the first two steps, your dentist decides on your crowing needs and proceeds to make a custom solution for it. Meanwhile, you will be provided with a temporary crown, as previous steps will leave your teeth vulnerable to sensitivity and damage. These temporary crowns are designed to offer a secure fit to your teeth, but they are not as durable and can not replace the need for permanent crowns.
The initial consultation phase is an essential part of determining the best tooth crown procedure for your unique needs. Depending on how severe your damage is or the number of teeth that need this treatment, this visit can take up to 1 to 2 hours.
Fitting the Permanent Crown (Second Visit)
Once the construction of your custom permanent crowns is done, you will need to visit your dentist for the second time. Permanent crowns are typically prepared within one to two weeks, so this visit will conclude your treatment with the final step of fitting permanent crowns. Here is the process that you will go through during this visit:
- Removal of the Temporary Crown: Your temporary crown will be removed at the beginning of the process. Once removed, the dentist will go through a quick cleaning of your teeth to prepare them for permanent crown placement.
- Fitting of the Permanent Crown: This step will involve the careful placement of a permanent crown over your tooth. Your dentist will also perform an additional assessment of your tooth to ensure a proper fit, bite alignment, and aesthetic presence. In case there are any concerns about the fit or alignment, adjustments will be made accordingly at the same time.
- Cementing the Crown: After satisfactory placement of the crown over your tooth, the next step will include cementing in the proper place. This step also helps with making any necessary adjustments and helps ensure that you will not feel any abnormalities with your bite.
- Final Assessment: Final assessment is crucial as it helps ensure a proper alignment of your bite. Here your dentist can make sure that desired results are accomplished and you will not face any further damage or decaying of your teeth.
As this visit involves steps that can be performed quickly, this visit usually only takes about one hour.
So, How Long Does a Dental Crown Take?
While most cases only take two visits for the dental crown procedure to complete, some factors will affect the timeline:
- Tooth Condition: If you have excess damage to your tooth or multiple teeth need crowing, the initial preparation may take more than one visit.
- Wait Time for Permanent Crowns: As crowns follow through a sophisticated process for making to ensure they fit properly over your teeth, it may take variable time depending on how complex your particular needs are.
- Customization and Adjustments: Some cases of tooth crown procedure require multiple adjustments to ensure the best fit and comfort. Sometimes, customizations are needed for aesthetic appeal. Both of these factors can affect the final timeline of the crown and teeth adjustments.
Protect Your Teeth From Damage And Decay: Invest In A Dental Crown Procedure Today
The dental crown procedure is a valuable investment that can benefit you for several years. Crowns not only protect your teeth from damage and decay, but they can also add to the overall presence of your smile. At Tampa Dental Wellness, we are eager to provide you with the most sophisticated and modern solutions to dental crowns. We will ensure optimal comfort and the best results from your very first visit. If you are ready for your initial consultation, make sure to reach out to us today!
People Often Ask These Questions About Dental Crown Procedure
How long does a dental crown take?
The standard procedure of dental crowns often takes two visits to the dentist. These visits can last from 1 to 2 hours.
Can I get a dental crown on a same-day visit?
There are modern dental crown solutions like Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics or CEREC in short. This treatment can create and fix dental crowns within a single visit and usually takes only around three hours.
Do I have to wear a temporary crown?
As it takes time to create a permanent crown to be made in a dental laboratory, in the meantime, it is necessary to wear a temporary crown to protect teeth from unwanted wear and tear.
