Usually, two visits are required. The first visit will focus on examination of the tooth by Chad Schnabel, DMD. The tooth will also be prepared for the dental crown or permanent crown. On the second visit, the crown or cap will be placed. Any questions you have about the procedure will be answered in the first visit.
First visit: tooth examination and tooth preparation
Dr. Schnabel will make a visual inspection of your mouth and the tooth to be capped. X-rays may be taken to verify the condition of the roots of the tooth and the stability of the surrounding bone. In some cases, existing tooth decay may require additional procedures before the dental crown can be installed. A root canal treatment may be necessary.
Once the tooth is approved for a crown, the preparation of the tooth can proceed. Your tooth and surrounding gum will be anesthetized or numbed. The tooth receiving the crown will be filed on top and on the sides to make room for the dental crown. If you have areas of the tooth that are missing, composite bonding may be used to build up those areas of the tooth.
Please let us know if you experience any dental anxiety and we will be happy to discuss the variety of options related to sedation dentistry.
A paste or putty is used to make an impression of the tooth and surrounding teeth. We want to insure your new crown will not affect your bite. These impressions are sent to a dental lab where the actual crown will be created. This process could take a few weeks.
Second visit: Installing the dental crown
When you arrive for your second visit, Dr. Schnabel will remove the temporary crown that may have been installed. The permanent crown will be checked for size, shape, and color. Again, a local anesthetic will be used and the crown will be cemented on top of the tooth.