Weeks in a temporary crown that keeps falling off
A crown elsewhere often means two appointments, a mouthful of impression putty and a few weeks in a temporary that can loosen, break or feel sensitive. Here, crowns are made with CEREC technology in the office, so the tooth is prepared, scanned and fitted with its permanent crown in the same visit. You leave with the finished tooth and one less appointment to fit around work or school. The same applies when the crown is going on a tooth after a root canal, and crowns for an implant are covered on the tooth restoration page.
Being told I need a crown when I'm not sure I do
A crown is a big step, and you should see the reason for it. Your digital X-rays and images of the tooth go up on the screen beside you, so you can see the crack, the large old filling or the worn edge for yourself. If a filling would do the job, you will hear that. Premier Family Dental is independent and doctor-owned, so the recommendation is about your tooth, not a production number.
What happens at a same-day crown visit
The tooth is numbed and shaped to make room for the crown. A small camera takes a 3D scan, so there is no goopy impression tray. The crown is designed on a screen, then milled from a solid block of tooth-colored ceramic in the office while you wait. It is checked against your bite, adjusted, and bonded in place. Plan for a longer appointment than a filling, since everything happens in one sitting.
A crown that looks fake or feels off when I bite
A good crown should blend in with the teeth beside it and feel like your own when you chew. The ceramic is chosen to match the shade of your natural teeth, and the bite is checked before the crown is bonded so it does not hit first or feel high. If anything feels off once the numbness wears off, a quick adjustment fixes it. You see the design on the screen before it is milled. If you are thinking about brightening your smile, whiten first, since a crown is matched to your shade and does not whiten later.
Frequently asked questions
Why would a tooth need a crown?
The most common reasons are a crack, a filling so large there is little natural tooth left around it, a tooth that has had a root canal, or a tooth worn down by grinding. A crown covers the whole tooth and holds it together so it does not break further. You will see on the screen which reason applies to yours.
Does getting a crown hurt?
The tooth is fully numbed first, so most people feel pressure and vibration rather than pain. Some tenderness in the gum around the tooth for a day or two afterward is normal. If you are anxious, nitrous, oral sedation and IV conscious sedation are all available in this office.
Can a tooth with a crown still get a cavity?
The crown itself cannot decay, but the natural tooth underneath can, usually right at the edge where the crown meets the gum. Brushing along the gumline, flossing around the crown and keeping your regular cleanings are what protect it. The edges of your crowns are checked at every visit.
What are same-day crowns made of?
They are milled from a solid block of tooth-colored ceramic, with no metal underneath, so there is no dark line at the gum. The material is strong enough for back teeth and natural-looking enough for front teeth. The shade is matched to your own teeth before the crown is milled.
Is a crown made in the office as strong as one from a lab?
For most single crowns, yes. Same-day crowns are milled from solid ceramic blocks made for chewing strength and bonded directly to your tooth. Some situations, like long bridges or patients who grind heavily, may still be better suited to a lab-made option, and you will hear plainly if that is true for you.
Does insurance cover a crown?
Many dental plans cover part of a crown when it repairs damage or decay, often around half, and some limit how often a crown on the same tooth can be replaced. Before the tooth is prepared, you hear the cost with your insurance applied, so the number does not change afterward.
Can I eat right after getting a same-day crown?
Yes. A same-day crown is permanently bonded before you leave, so there is no temporary to protect. Wait until the numbness wears off so you do not bite your cheek or tongue. The tooth may feel a little tender for a day or two, so softer foods are more comfortable at first.