How to prepare your patient for a dental crown

As a dentist, you want to keep your patient’s teeth healthy and strong. That is why you suggest to the best treatments available - like dental crowns. However, some patients avoid dental treatments because of their dental anxiety.

If your patient keeps delaying or avoiding dental treatments like crowns, they could be increasing their risk for dental problems - like tooth decay and gum disease. One way to help patients feel more encouraged to get a dental crown is by letting them know what it consists of. 

Our sedation course team has outlined some information you should tell your dental patients about dental crowns and how minimal sedation can help them through it.

What is a dental crown?

A dental crown is a cap that covers a patient's damaged tooth. It is used on a patient's tooth when fillings no longer solve the problem. Crowns protect and restore the size and function of a tooth.

What are dental crowns made of? 

Dental crowns are made of several different materials like - metal alloys, ceramics, porcelain, porcelain fused to metal or composite resin. It is designed and colored to fit in seamlessly with existing teeth. 

What kind of material is used for a patient’s crown is determined by where the tooth is located and its function. Dentists also take into account the shade of the teeth surrounding it and the gum tissue. 

Common reasons why dental crowns are needed

• To protect a tooth from breaking or cracking

• To restore the function of a damaged tooth 

• Cover and add additional support to a large tooth filling

• Help hold a dental bridge in place

• Cover a dental implant 

• Protect and cover a tooth that has received a root canal 

The steps to placing a crown 

Most dental crown procedures typically take an average of two visits to complete. On the first visit, dentists will prepare the patient's tooth and get impressions for the crown. 

Dentists will prepare the tooth by removing the outer portion and any decay, so the tooth fits in the crown. Then, impressions of the tooth will be taken to model the crown. 

While the crown is being made, a temporary crown is placed on the patient's tooth. It typically takes less than two weeks to get the crown made. Once the crown is made, it will be placed onto the tooth and adjustments will be made if necessary. 

How minimal sedation can help patients through the dental crown procedure 

Although the procedure of a dental crown does not sound that daunting. To some patients, especially those with dental anxiety, it might. Getting a dental crown is not a painful process. A dentist has taken an anesthetic and sedation course to know how to make the process painless.

Minimal sedation, also known as anxiolysis, is a popular choice to help patients ease their dental anxiety. It is a drug-induced state in which patients are able to respond to verbal commands like normal. This type of sedation does not impair ventilatory and cardiovascular functions, but it may impair cognitive function and coordination. 

Are you looking for a sedation course to acquire or renew your certification?

Let Midwest Sedation Consultants help! We provide minimal sedation education and courses online for dental providers. Enroll for our next course today!