A porcelain crown (or cap) is a dental restoration treatment that completely covers the tooth and is used to rebuild damaged teeth and/or strengthen teeth that can’t be repaired using just a filling. Dr. Dang may recommend that you receive a porcelain crown for one more of the following reasons:
- Significant decay, damage, or breakage of a tooth
- Cosmetic enhancement
- Large or fractured fillings
- To protect a tooth that recently received root canal therapy
Procedure
The procedure to receive your porcelain crown will usually take place over the course of two appointments at our Kailua, HI dental practice. The first dental appointment consists of having several highly accurate molds (impressions) taken. These molds will be used to help create your final, porcelain crown. After the molds have been taken and sent to our dental laboratory, your porcelain crown will be created in about three weeks. During this waiting period, you will wear a temporary crown. To prepare you for the temporary dental crown, Dr. Dang will numb your tooth and clean away any decay. Your tooth will also be shaped in order to properly fit the crown.
At your second appointment, Dr. Dang will remove the temporary crown and prepare your tooth for the final, porcelain crown by thoroughly cleaning your tooth again. The porcelain crown will then be placed to ensure that function and beauty are restored to your tooth and mouth.
At that point, Dr. Dang will give you instructions on how to properly care for your new porcelain crown. It is important to regularly visit our office and maintain good oral hygiene habits at home to keep the crown in good shape. If you would like to learn more about porcelain crowns, please give our office a call today.