A dental crown is a custom-made cap that covers a tooth from the gumline up. We use crowns when a tooth is too damaged for a filling but still has a healthy root that we can save. A well-fitted crown lets a tooth go back to chewing normally and looks just like the teeth around it.
What it is
A crown is a tooth-shaped cover that is bonded over a prepared tooth. We use crowns to:
- Restore a tooth that has a large cavity or fracture
- Protect a tooth after a root canal
- Replace an old crown that has worn out
- Cover a tooth that is heavily discolored or oddly shaped
- Top a dental implant
Most of our crowns are made of porcelain or porcelain-fused-to-metal. We choose the material that fits your bite and the position of the tooth in your mouth.
What to expect
A crown traditionally takes two visits, though some offices use same-day crowns for certain cases.
Visit one (about 60 to 90 minutes):
- Your dentist numbs the tooth and the gums around it
- The damaged parts of the tooth are removed and the tooth is shaped to receive the crown
- We take a digital scan or impression of the prepared tooth
- A temporary crown protects the tooth while the permanent one is made
- You go home and chew normally with care for the next week or two
Visit two (about 30 to 45 minutes):
- The temporary crown is removed
- We try in the permanent crown and check the fit, color, and bite
- Once it feels right, the crown is bonded into place
- You leave with your full bite back
Most patients adjust to a new crown within a day or two. If anything feels off — high spot, sensitivity, rough edge — call us and we will fine-tune it.
Who it’s for
A crown may be the right answer if you have:
- A large cavity that a filling cannot reliably hold
- A cracked or broken tooth
- A tooth that just had a root canal
- An old crown that is failing
- A single missing tooth that has been replaced with an implant
Crowns are a long-term restoration, but they are not forever. With good home care and regular check-ups, many crowns last 10 to 15 years or more. We will go over how to take care of yours when we cement it in place.
This page is general information about a common dental procedure and is not medical advice. Treatment recommendations depend on each patient's situation — please call us with any questions about your own care.
