Dental Crowns

Dental Crowns

A crown may be made of metal or porcelain. Crowns tend to be good long-term solutions for teeth that have been chipped, cracked, or worn down. But teeth that require a significant amount of restoration are at much higher risk for failure, according to a 2018 study in the Journal of Dentistry Trusted Source.

Getting a crown often requires two appointments. In a typical process for a dental crown, a dentist will:
1. Get a soft mold of your teeth.
2. Fill any cavities in the damaged tooth (if necessary).
3. Trim the tooth to prepare it for receiving a crown.
4. Place a temporary crown on the tooth while a permanent crown is made in a lab.
5. After a few weeks, place a permanent crown that is cemented in place.

Dental practices that can make crowns on-site may offer same-day crowns.

Crowns are considered a relatively permanent solution. Once a crown is in place, it should last 5 to 15 years or even longer if maintained properly. You should brush and floss a tooth with a crown as you would any other tooth.

A crown can crack or chip over time, or the cement holding it in place can soften. This can allow bacteria to move in and infect the tooth.