When your teeth become damaged, either through lack of care or from a particularly tough diet, there’s a chance that you might need a dental crown. This is a tooth-shaped cap that fits snugly over the damaged tooth, preventing it from being damaged any further and preventing any discomfort it could cause you when food comes into contact with it. You might also receive a dental crown after other procedures, such as a root canal or dental implant placement.
Many people end up needing dental crowns during adulthood, and for lots of them it will be one of the first times they visit the dentist for something other than a checkup or cleaning. For some people this can cause anxiety, while others might wonder if there is anything helpful they could do in advance of the procedure. Both could actually benefit from a little preparation.
Here are some useful ways to prepare yourself for a dental crown placement.
Allow enough time
Dental crowns can be fitted as part of a single-day or multi-day procedure. Your dentist may give you the choice, or they may only offer one option. Either way, you will need to make sure that you can take time away from your other commitments. The single-day procedure typically takes two to four hours, and the multi-day procedure requires two appointments of one to two hours each. The two appointments will usually be a couple of weeks apart.
Ask your dentist about the procedure
Before your dentist even dons their nitrile gloves they should be happy to sit down with you and address any concerns you have about the procedure. You could do this just before the procedure, but if you can do it earlier they might be able to give you some specific advice about how you can best prepare for it.
Familiarise yourself with the process
Dental crown placements all follow the same basic outline. The first step will be an examination of your mouth, often including some x-rays of the tooth receiving the crown.
Next, local anaesthetic will be applied. The dentist will then prepare the tooth for the crown by filing down the out layer of enamel. If it’s a multi-day procedure, the dentist will make a mold of your tooth and send you home with a temporary crown until the final one is ready.
For a single-day procedure, the dentist will do a digital scan of your mouth to get the specifications for the crown. The final crown will then be made right away and installed as soon as it’s ready.
Eat something first
Anaesthetic makes some people feel queasy, and this is more likely to happen on an empty stomach. Also, you’re going to be in the dental clinic for a while. Make sure you eat and hydrate yourself first. Also wear comfortable clothing because you will need to be still for long stretches of time.
Conclusion
In addition to continuing your regular oral care routine, consulting your dentist, knowing what to expect, and showing up well-prepared and appropriately dressed on the day will help ensure that your dental crown procedure is a smooth one. With the right care, your crown will be able to last 15 years or more.