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May 18, 2023

Everything You Need to Know About Dental Crowns

A dental crown is a type of cap placed on top of a damaged tooth. Dentists recommend dental crowns when: This article will discuss dental crowns, how a dentist decides you need one, and alternatives

A dental crown is a type of cap placed on top of a damaged tooth. Dentists recommend dental crowns when:

This article will discuss dental crowns, how a dentist decides you need one, and alternatives to getting a dental crown.

Verywell / Nusha Ashjaee

Dental crowns can be made using different types of materials. Among them are:

These materials are used to make crowns for different purposes. For example, a survey of 1,777 dentists found more than half preferred lithium disilicate for anterior crowns (front position) while they were more evenly split between all-zirconia crowns, PFM, and the lithium disilicate for posterior (back position) crowns. Other findings were:

Other considerations can include newer technologies, like 3D-printed crowns.

Dental crowns are manufactured for a specific tooth placement, whether it's an existing or artificial tooth. People who use dental crowns may do so because the crowns:

Sometimes, a dental crown can be used to create a protective shell around a tooth that's been weakened by other treatments, like a root canal.

The cost of a dental crown is subject to a host of factors, ranging from the purpose of the crown (e.g., as part of a single implant or a bridge) to the materials and methods used to manufacture it (for example, less costly all-zirconia crowns or resins used in 3D-printed crowns).

A crown meant to provide a single-tooth implant may use fewer materials but result in more frequent office visits. Or, a three-unit crown that's part of a bridge may seem a more durable repair but it also is likely to cause permanent damage to the two adjacent teeth.

Costs also vary depending on your provider, geographic location, laboratory fees, and insurance coverage. The average cost is typically between $1,000 and $3,500. You can expect a crown to last about 10 to 15 years, depending on the type and materials used.

Not all crowns are suitable in all situations. For example, certain types of endocrowns (lithium disilicate among them) are considered a reliable alternative for molars but, as of yet, not for other teeth. Or, certain PFM crowns could interfere with proton beam treatments in head and neck cancer. Your crown (and costs) will therefore depend on your specific circumstances.

The way in which a dental crown is placed will depend on factors that include the type of crown and where it's going to be inserted. There also are preparations that need to be made in both the crown materials and your teeth before the crown is placed.

These steps and factors include:

With advanced technology, same-day visits can result in quickly prepared teeth and digital impressions that have your crown produced and ready to place immediately. No temporary crowns are needed. The easier and more convenient process is typically more expensive.

With a more traditional process, your first visit will involve X-rays to check the tooth where you need the crown and the bone that's around it. This is to identify any other treatments that may need to be made first, or whether there's a higher risk of infection or complication.

The dentist will use a local anesthetic to numb the tooth and surrounding tissues. If you've had a root canal, your dentist will still likely choose to use anesthetic because of how close to the gum and tooth tissue they will be working. They then reshape the tooth to a precise fit for the crown.

The type of crown being used will determine how much of your tooth will be reshaped or removed. They also may need to make repairs, like fillings, at this point, before making the final digital or dental mold impressions.

It's at the first visit you'll receive a temporary crown until the dental crown is ready. These can be made quickly using 3D-printing technology. They're needed to protect the tooth because most of the enamel is removed from the tooth during the preparation stage, leaving exposed dentin. The temporary crown stays in place until the permanent crown is ready.

With traditional molds, a final impression takes between three and five minutes to fully set. The dental team will inspect the impression for any air bubbles or ​spaces. It may be necessary to repeat the impression several times in order to obtain an accurate impression.

It can take a few weeks for a dental lab to produce your crown, which will be placed at the second visit. The dentist will remove the temporary crown and prepare the fit for your permanent crown. They'll then numb the tooth and cement the new crown into place.

Using a piece of dental floss, your dentist will also check the contacts between the crown and nearby teeth to ensure there is an ideal contact between the teeth. Contacts that are too tight or no contact at all pose a problem in the long run, when flossing or by allowing food particles to be trapped between teeth.

Your dentist will then place a bonding material onto the prepared tooth. Some bonding agents require a curing light to set the material. Once ready, the crown is placed and checked. Your dentist will wait approximately 10 minutes for the permanent cement to set. When ready, your dentist will then check how your teeth bite together.

Any high spots on the crown will be reduced on the opposing tooth. It is very important to have the bite correct. This is because a high bite can lead to tooth sensitivity and tooth pain.

If the contact is too tight, your dentist will reduce a small amount from the nearby tooth, not the crown. In cases where there is no contact, it may be necessary for the crown to be sent back to the laboratory to be remade.

After 24 to 48 hours of avoiding sticky or hard foods, you're ready to adjust to your new crown. It is made to withstand the normal forces of biting, chewing, and grinding.

However, it is very important to understand that crowns are not indestructible. What you eat is the biggest change you will make due to your new crown. For example, candy and whole nuts (as opposed to slivers) are very destructive to crowns; you should try to avoid them.

It is also extremely important that you continue following a strict oral hygiene regimen that includes brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings for your crowns.

If, after a few days, you notice anything unusual with your new dental crown, call your dentist immediately to have the crown examined.

Most crowns work well, with some small variations depending on the materials used to make them. Still, more than 10% of crowns have to be replaced within the first 10 years because of technical or physical reasons. The common reasons include:

When living with a dental crown, there is little you can do to prevent a placement screw that fails or the eventual fatigue of resin cement that no longer holds your crown in place. Keep in mind that dental crown failure also may depend on location; crowns for your top teeth are more at risk than those in your lower jaw because of the more complicated placement.

How well a dental crown performs will depend on your initial choices about crown materials and procedures, so discuss your options with your dentist before placement. If you do experience later complications, let your dentist know right away.

Dental health issues like tooth decay still affect teeth with crowns on or adjacent to them. Dental hygiene for these teeth is important in avoiding health complications.

A dental crown is a type of cap a dentist puts on your damaged tooth. It may be used after a root canal or if your filling is larger than your natural tooth structure. You may also need a crown if you have a combination of root canal therapy and a large filling. At times, your dentist may recommend a crown for cosmetic reasons.

If your dentist performs a dental crown procedure, it's important to follow their postoperative instructions. Practicing good oral hygiene habits and following your dentist's instructions will help you protect your new crown as well as your natural teeth for many years to come.

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By Shawn WatsonShawn Watson is an orthodontic dental assistant and writer with over 10 years of experience working in the field of dentistry.