To treat a nasty cavity, maybe you plan to get a dental crown. Great – you can trust this cap to address your tooth decay! That said, do you know how dentists prepare teeth for dental crowns? Grasping this point will make your care smoother, so it’s really worth looking into. There’s no need to fret, though; your Columbia practice is here to share the knowledge. Just keep reading to learn what to expect from your upcoming crown treatment.
They Examine the Tooth
At the start of the “prep process,” your dentist will examine your tooth. This assessment confirms whether you need a dental crown at all.
More specifically, the exam looks for signs of decay and damage. That means it’ll likely involve dental X-rays; such images offer a good view of tooth roots. Indeed, these precise pictures (and other close-up looks) will show the dentist whether you need a bona fide crown treatment.
They Perform Dental Drilling
With the dentist’s approval, the exam will shift to some light dental drilling. This step removes your tooth’s damaged bits, ensuring they don’t cause further issues.
Rest assured that the drilling process is smooth and pain-free. Your dentist will have numbed your mouth beforehand, so their dental drill won’t cause any aches or irritation. If you feel anything at all, it’ll just be some mild pressure from the dental team’s efforts.
They Clean & Fill the Tooth
Once the damaged parts are gone, your dentist will move to the next phase of care. In other words, they’ll clean and fill your tooth’s newly formed empty space(s).
Cleaning and filling play big roles in the average crown treatment. After all, they allow a dentist to remove a tooth’s harmful elements and disinfect the interior. The result is that the treatment site is less likely to have an infection later on.
They Smooth Things Out
The last step of preparation is to smooth out your enamel. For this work, the dentist files down bits of your tooth’s outer layer.
Note that decayed and damaged teeth can have sharp edges. Unless these areas are filed, they’re likely to cut your mouth’s soft tissues and cause bleeding. They could even interfere with your crown’s placement, delaying the treatment process. Given these facts, smoothing out the rough spots helps your prosthetic fit well and lowers the risk of injury.
If you’d like, you can always learn more about how dentists prepare teeth for dental crowns. Just consult your dental provider – they’ll explain everything!
About the Practice
Beck Dental Care of Columbia is based in Columbia, TN. Led by Drs. Hart, Williams, and Matthews, our practice is proud to offer expansive and high-quality dentistry. We always tailor our efforts to your unique smile, whether it needs preventive, cosmetic, or even restorative care. Our office also holds convenient hours to ensure you can see us without difficulty. For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (931)-388-8452.