Metal Dental Crowns: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: The Tooth Gets Checked

Your dentist will first examine the tooth, possibly taking an X-ray to see what’s going on beneath the surface. They want to ensure that the tooth can support a crown. If decay has invaded deep into the tooth, other treatment may be needed before fitting a crown begins.

The dentist will talk to you about what the crown will look like and feel like. Metal crowns are most noticeable when used on front teeth, so they are generally saved for the back teeth where the chewing power is greater and where the metal isn’t as noticeable.

What Happens Before The Crown?

• A good foundation is the key to making sure the crown turns out looking nice. A shiny new crown placed on a decaying tooth foundation won’t be nearly as successful.

• Getting numb is important, so you don’t feel any pain during the preparation process. However, you should definitely feel pressure and lots of noise coming from the drill.

The Next Step: The Tooth Is Shaped

With the numbness in full effect, the dentist will begin to take off layers of your tooth’s enamel to allow room for the crown. Some of the chewing surface is also removed so that the metal crown won’t feel so high; it’s all about making your bite feel comfortable.

This part tends to go by faster than most people would expect. You’ll undoubtedly hear the drill and feel some vibrations, but you shouldn’t really feel any pain. If you do, speak up! There’s no medal for silently suffering through the pain.

The Impression And The Temp Crown

Your dentist will take an impression of your shaped tooth to send off to the dental lab to have your permanent crown created. Depending on the dentist, this impression could actually be taken digitally.

The Permanent Metal Crown Gets Placed

At your next visit, your dentist will remove your temporary crown and examine the permanent one to make sure it fits to your satisfaction. The dentist will check the fit along the gum line as well as your biting action. Sometimes, adjustments need to be made so that your bite doesn’t feel so high.

Once the fit has been approved, your dentist will permanently attach the crown using some sort of cement. The crown will need to set, and your dentist will remove any excess cement that gets around the edges of the crown.

The Aftercare

• Some sensitivity in the beginning is normal, but don’t hesitate to call your dentist if the pain lasts.

• You might find yourself feeling uncomfortable when chewing hard foods, especially if the bite had to be adjusted during the fitting.

• The crown itself is meant to handle heavy chewing. It can be a pretty good feeling when you don’t feel the crown at all while eating. That’s the kind of feeling I get most often when I’ve received a metal crown.

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