Over time, our teeth begin to weaken and become more susceptible to problems such as decay, cracking and discoloration. If you feel that your smile isn’t what it once was, crowns can help. If a tooth is decayed or appears cracked or weakened, a crown may be necessary to make sure that there are no additional problems with the tooth.
The process of installing a crown takes 2 or 3 visits to us, your local Bemidji dentist. On your first visit, the tooth will be filed down so that the crown can be placed over it. You will be given a local anesthetic before this part of the procedure so that you do not experience any discomfort. Once the tooth has been reshaped, a mold will be taken of the area so that our dental lab can create a crown that looks as similar to the surrounding teeth as possible. Before leaving, we will fit you with a temporary crown until your permanent crown is ready.
The crown takes about 2-3 weeks to produce. At this time, you will have another appointment to place and fit the permanent crown. You will again have a local anesthetic to numb the area, and the tooth will be set in place. When you look in the mirror, you will see your old smile back.
