On average, getting a porcelain dental crown takes two to three weeks. However, that doesn’t mean you’ll spend hours in the dental chair. Most of that time, you’ll be living life with your temporary crown as you await your final restoration. You’ll typically visit your dentist in Los Gatos, CA, twice for your fitting and prep and again for final crown placement.
Reasons You May Need a Dental Crown in Los Gatos
A dental crown is a protective cover that fits over a treated tooth or dental implant abutment. It is custom-designed to match unrestored teeth.
Reasons you may need a dental crown:
- Weak or Damaged Tooth: If you have a weak or damaged tooth, a dental crown can restore and protect it.
- Short or Worn Tooth: A dental crown can lengthen a short, worn, or broken tooth.
- Part of Tooth Replacement: Dental crowns connect restoration teeth (dental bridge) to healthy teeth, or a single crown caps a dental implant post.
- Part of Cosmetic Dentistry: Custom dental crowns can conceal tooth imperfections in cosmetic dentistry.
The Dental Crown Process: Your Journey to a Restored Smile
After meeting with the dentist and determining that you need or want a dental crown, only two steps are left!
Step #1: Preparation and Temporary Placement
First, the dentist takes impressions of the tooth and prepares it for crown placement. Preparation involves shaping the tooth and removing any old filling material or jagged edges due to breakage or damage. Then, we cement your temporary crown over the tooth.
Step #2 Final Dental Crown Placement
We use a trusted lab to fabricate your crown based on our careful impressions. It typically takes a week or two to craft your restoration. When the crown arrives at our dental office, you come in for a final fitting and adjustment. We then remove the temporary and place your custom crown.
For Restorative Dentistry, Contact Our Dental Office Today
For more information about crowns and bridges in Los Gatos, CA, or to schedule a consultation with the dentist, contact a dental team member at (408) 358-2161.