Preparation time will vary depending on the condition of the damaged tooth. The tooth will be reshaped, to ensure that once the crown is fitted, it remains the same size and shape as the natural teeth. It may also need to be built up with a filling first. A local anaesthetic is usually given prior to preparation, to avoid any discomfort.
After preparation, an impression is taken of the tooth to be crowned and nearby teeth, using a soft mouldable material. This impression is given to a dental technician, who uses it to build your crown to the exact size and shape required. This will ensure that the crown fits comfortably and looks natural. When using porcelain crowns, the colour will also be matched to the natural teeth.
Whilst the crown is being made, a temporary crown will be fitted. This will not be as strong as the final crown, but can still be chewed upon.
Once the crown is ready, it will be tried in place and small adjustments made to ensure a comfortable bite is maintained. Once you and your dentist are happy, the crown is glued in place. Crowns are sometimes held in place with a small peg in your root canal, if there is a lot of the original tooth missing.
