May 4, 2017
When your dentist recommends a crown procedure, don't be alarmed, it is a routine procedure used to save your tooth. In simple terms, a crown is like a cap that is placed over the tooth and the procedure is done if your tooth is weak, broken or cracked and needs to be held together, to cover and support a tooth with a large filling if the tooth has largely decayed, to support a dental bridge, to create a dental implant or for cosmetic reasons. Crowns are available in several types of material including ceramic, porcelain, resin, and stainless steel. We recommend speaking with your dentist about which type of crown works best for your teeth. The crown will be made so it fits naturally over your existing tooth. At Dental Care of MidFlorida we use a procedure called CEREC that saves our patients both time and money. You can read more about CEREC here! For most crown procedures, theactual procedure typically takes two visits. During the first visit, the dentist 
examines the tooth to make sure the crown can be fully supported. If the tooth is strong enough, the dentist will remove any decay and then file the tooth down to prepare for the crown. An impression is made to create an exact model of the tooth and is used to create the new crown. A temporary crown is placed over the tooth and while the temporary crown is worn, sticky foods should be avoided so the crown is not damaged. The tooth may be sensitive to hot or cold foods. At Dental Care of Mid-Florida because we use the CEREC machine, it only takes one visit to implant a new crown. During the second visit, the temporary crown is removed and the permanent crown is installed. To care for your crown make sure to brush and floss your teeth twice daily. You should also avoid crunching on ice along with other hard foods to prevent damage to the crown. Finally, visit your dentist regularly for your bi-annual exam and teeth cleanings.