There are several steps involved in placing a crown. At least two visits are necessary.
At the first visit your dentist will take an impression of the tooth’s shape and size. Then they will prepare the tooth by removing any decay, any old fillings that are causing problems, and removing the outer portion of the tooth to accommodate the thickness of the crown. If there isn’t enough tooth structure after the decay has been removed, some filling material will be placed to build it back up (actually called a “buildup” instead of a filling!). Then an impression is made to provide an exact model of the prepared tooth and a shade recorded.
This second impression is what goes to the dental lab where the technician will use it and the shade provided by your dentist to make your new crown.
Before you leave this first appointment, your Madison dentist will use the first impression they took at the beginning of your appointment to make a temporary crown, which will be cemented on with temporary cement.
This try-in/cement appointment must be made two weeks from your first appointment to allow enough time for your crown to be made. At that visit, the dentist will remove your temporary and try your brand new crown, making sure it fits perfectly. After you and your dentist are satisfied the crown is perfect, then he or she will cement it in place with permanent cement.