To begin the process, Valparaiso dentist Dr. Brad will clean and numb your mouth. Then, he will trim your tooth. He must remove any damaged enamel, and trim the tooth into a stable platform for your crown. This ensures that the crown will fit properly, and will bond strongly to your remaining enamel. After this is done, he will take images and impressions of your tooth.
Dr. Brad will attach a temporary crown to your trimmed tooth, then send you home. Next, he will send your images and impressions to a dental lab. This is where your porcelain crown will be built. It usually takes 2-3 weeks for your crown to be built and sent back to the office of Dr. Brad Wisowaty.
Once your permanent crown arrives at our office, you’ll come back for another appointment. Dr. Brad will remove your temporary crown. Then, he will check the permanent crown to make sure it fits perfectly. He can make any necessary minor adjustments. Then, he will attach it to your tooth with dental cement. After this, you’ll be sent home to enjoy your new smile.
We use lab-made crowns at our office. These are typically built from a metal core with a layer of durable porcelain. This construction provides maximum durability. Lab-made crowns also are very lifelike, and can be built with grooves, pits, and other surface features that make them look just like real teeth.
Dental crowns last between 10-20 years for most patients, though it’s entirely possible for them to last longer with proper care. To care for your crown, just make sure you brush twice a day and floss once a day, and see Dr. Brad every six months for a teeth cleaning and oral exam.
Yes. As long as your dental crown is medically necessary, such as for a cavity or a broken tooth, it will be covered by your insurance up to applicable limits. We recommend consulting with your insurer directly to understand your coverage, and what coverage you’re entitled to through your insurance policy.