Listen to Your Dentist When They Recommend Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Perfection takes time, so it's probably not surprising that correcting a problematic tooth with a dental crown can take several visits to accomplish. Your dentist will need to prepare the tooth—removing a small amount of surface enamel to accommodate the crown. This allows them to determine the precise dimensions of the required crown by applying a mold to the prepared tooth. The crown is then manufactured and permanently bonded onto the tooth.

However, some patients might be eligible for a streamlined version of this procedure, significantly speeding up the process without compromising the quality of their dental work. Read on to learn more about immediate dental crowns. 

Your Eligibility 

A patient's eligibility for immediate dental crowns is dependent on two main factors, although additional concerns can also affect eligibility. Your dentist will discuss these with you if they're relevant. The primary considerations are:

1. Whether the tooth requires additional treatment (the necessity for a root canal, or to have a cavity filled) before the crown can be applied.
2. Whether the dental practice has the necessary equipment to provide an immediate dental crown, as this isn't always the case.

But how do these immediate crowns actually work?

Dental Crowns in a Single Visit

For eligible patients, the necessary measurements, preparation work, manufacturing, and fitting can often all be achieved in a single visit. What's the process? 

1. The tooth is recorded from several angles, using a special intraoral camera.
2. These images are sent to an onsite system, which then creates a precise 3D model of the required dimensions of the crown. This acts as a type of digital mold, meaning that a physical mold isn't needed. 
3. The crown is then manufactured (also onsite). The necessary color of the crown will be accounted for during the manufacturing process.
4. While the crown is being manufactured, your dentist will prepare the tooth. This involves enamel shaving, which removes a thin layer of surface enamel. This allows the crown to be fitted without increasing the mass of the tooth.

The manufacturing process is generally completed by the time that the preparation work has been completed. This means that the finalized crown can then immediately be bonded onto the prepared tooth.

So while not all patients can receive an immediate dental crown, it's extremely advantageous to choose this option if it's available. You can walk out of the dental practice on the same day. To learn more about this process, contact a local dental clinic.