What Is a Dental Crown? Procedure, Types, and What to Expect
By Naomi Foster, Contributing Writer, Healthcare
Updated 2026-07-08
A dental crown is a custom-made cap that fits over the entire visible portion of a damaged, decayed, or weakened tooth, restoring its shape, size, strength, and appearance. The procedure typically requires two dental visits over two to three weeks, though same-day CEREC technology allows some dentists to complete it in one appointment. Most patients find the procedure comparable in discomfort to getting a large filling.
Use our dental crown cost calculator to estimate your cost by material and insurance coverage before your appointment.
What is a dental crown?
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap placed over an entire tooth from the gumline up. It restores the tooth's original shape, size, strength, and appearance. Unlike a filling that fills a cavity from the inside, a crown encases the outside of the tooth entirely, protecting it from further damage and allowing you to chew normally. Dentists recommend crowns when a tooth is too damaged for a filling to hold reliably, including after large decay, a cracked tooth, a tooth weakened after a root canal, a broken cusp, or severe wear from grinding. Crowns also anchor dental bridges and cover dental implants.
Step-by-step: the dental crown procedure
A traditional crown typically requires two visits, though same-day CEREC technology now allows some dentists to complete the process in one appointment.
- Visit 1, examination and preparation. Your dentist takes X-rays to assess the tooth root and surrounding bone. If the tooth has extensive decay or infection, a root canal may be done before the crown. The dentist then numbs the area with local anesthetic and reshapes the tooth by removing a layer of enamel on all sides to make room for the crown.
- Impression taking. Your dentist either takes a physical impression or a digital scan of your prepared tooth and the surrounding teeth. This goes to a dental lab where your permanent crown is fabricated, usually over 1 to 2 weeks.
- Temporary crown. While you wait, the dentist places a temporary crown to protect the exposed tooth. Temporaries are made of acrylic and are not as strong as permanent crowns, so avoid sticky or hard foods during this period.
- Visit 2, permanent crown placement. The temporary is removed, the permanent crown is checked for fit and bite, and then cemented into place with dental adhesive. Final adjustments ensure your bite feels natural.
Is getting a dental crown painful?
The procedure is done under local anesthetic, so you should not feel pain during preparation or placement. Some sensitivity to temperature and pressure is normal for a few days after your permanent crown is placed. Over-the-counter pain relievers are usually sufficient for any post-procedure discomfort. Most patients find the procedure manageable and comparable to getting a large filling. If your bite feels uneven or you experience significant pain when chewing after the first few days, contact your dentist for an adjustment.
Same-day crowns and material types
Some dental offices equipped with CEREC technology can mill a ceramic crown in the office while you wait, which eliminates the need for a temporary crown and a second visit. Same-day crowns are made of zirconia or high-strength ceramic and typically cost $1,200 to $1,800. The technology is not available everywhere and may not suit every tooth position, so ask your dentist whether CEREC is an option for your case.
| Type | Material | Best use case |
|---|---|---|
| All-ceramic | Porcelain or lithium disilicate | Front teeth, cosmetic priority |
| Zirconia | Zirconia ceramic | Any tooth, strength and cosmetics combined |
| PFM | Metal core, porcelain exterior | Back teeth, cost-conscious patients |
| Gold or metal | Gold alloy or base metal | Molars needing maximum durability |
| Same-day CEREC | Zirconia or ceramic, milled in office | Patients wanting one-visit convenience |
Do I need a root canal before a crown?
Not always. A root canal is only necessary if the tooth pulp is infected or dying. Many crowns are placed on teeth with healthy pulp that are simply too damaged for a filling. Your dentist will determine this based on examination, symptoms, and X-rays. If a root canal is needed, it is typically completed before the crown is placed. The combination of a root canal and crown is the standard treatment for saving a severely damaged molar and is discussed in more detail on our root canal and crown cost page.
Timing and recovery
The first visit typically takes 60 to 90 minutes, the second visit for permanent placement usually 30 to 60 minutes, and a same-day CEREC appointment runs 2 to 3 hours combining both steps in one sitting. Mild sensitivity to temperature and pressure is normal for a few days afterward. Avoid very hard or very sticky foods for the first 24 hours while the cement fully sets, and expect the crown to feel completely natural within 1 to 2 weeks. Contact your dentist if sensitivity persists beyond two weeks or your bite feels off.
FAQs
Can I eat normally with a temporary crown on?
You can eat, but stick to the opposite side of your mouth for anything sticky, hard, or chewy. Temporary crowns are cemented loosely on purpose so they can be removed for the permanent crown, and they can dislodge under heavy chewing.
What happens if a temporary crown falls off before my next visit?
Call your dentist's office. They can usually re-cement it or see you quickly, since the exposed prepared tooth is more sensitive and slightly more vulnerable to damage without the temporary in place.
Can a baby tooth get a crown?
Yes. Pediatric stainless steel crowns are common for badly decayed baby molars, since the tooth needs to hold its shape and function until it naturally falls out to make way for the permanent tooth.
Do I need to change how I brush around a crown?
Not dramatically, but pay extra attention to the gumline where the crown meets your natural tooth, since that margin is where decay is most likely to start on a crowned tooth.
Will a crown change how my tooth looks compared to my other teeth?
A well-made crown is shade-matched to your surrounding teeth and shaped to blend in, so it generally shouldn't stand out. Front teeth get the most attention to color and translucency; back teeth prioritize strength since they're rarely visible.
Bottom line
A dental crown is a well-established restorative procedure that protects damaged teeth and restores normal function. The two-visit process is routine and comfortable for most patients. Use our dental crown cost calculator to estimate your cost by material and insurance coverage, and consult a licensed dentist to determine whether a crown is the right treatment for your specific tooth. This content is for informational purposes and does not substitute for professional dental advice.
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