A tooth cap, also known as a dental crown, is made through a process that typically involves designing the crown, creating it either in a lab or with on-site milling, and then fitting it onto the prepared tooth.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
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Preparation of the Tooth: The dentist will first examine the tooth and prepare it for the crown. This usually involves removing any decay and reshaping the tooth so the crown can fit properly. If a large portion of the tooth is missing, the dentist may need to build up the core of the tooth.
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Taking an Impression (or Digital Scan): An impression of the prepared tooth (and surrounding teeth) is taken. This can be done traditionally using a putty-like material, or digitally using a scanner. Digital scans are becoming more common.
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Crown Design: Whether using a physical impression or digital scan, the information is used to design the crown. The design takes into account the tooth's shape, size, and color to ensure it fits properly and blends in with the surrounding teeth.
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Crown Creation (Two Primary Methods): The method used impacts the time it takes to receive the crown.
- Laboratory-Fabricated Crowns: The impression or digital scan is sent to a dental laboratory. A technician then fabricates the crown. This usually takes a week or two. A temporary crown is typically placed on the prepared tooth while the permanent crown is being made.
- CAD/CAM (Same-Day Crowns): The dentist designs the crown using CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing) technology. The design is then sent to an on-site milling machine that crafts the crown from a solid block of ceramic material. This allows for a crown to be made and placed in a single visit.
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Fitting and Cementing the Crown: Once the permanent crown is ready (whether from the lab or milled on-site), the dentist will remove the temporary crown (if one was used) and try on the permanent crown. They'll check the fit, bite, and color. If everything looks good, the crown is cemented onto the prepared tooth using a special dental adhesive.
In summary, making a tooth cap involves preparing the tooth, taking an impression, designing the crown, creating the crown (either in a lab or with CAD/CAM technology), and then fitting and cementing it onto the tooth. The choice between lab-fabricated and same-day crowns depends on individual needs and the dentist's recommendations.
