A dental crown is a protective coating made of porcelain, ceramic, metal, or resin that’s used to protect or improve the strength and appearance of a tooth. The dental crown material that’s best suited for you will depend on which teeth need crowns and the extent of the damage to those teeth
Getting a dental crown is a noninvasive, low-risk procedure. You’ll be able to get back to your normal routine, including brushing and flossing, right away.Â
Along with dental bridges, veneers, and dental bonding, crowns can be part of a complete smile makeover.
Pros
Cons
How much your dental crown costs will depend on how much prep work is required and the type of crown you get, as well as your provider’s level of experience and practice location.Â
Most dental insurance providers cover a percentage of the full cost of a dental crown. Ask your insurer whether they will require a letter from your dentist, stating that a crown is the best treatment option for you.
The dental crown photos in our gallery have been shared by the provider who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.
Dentists recommend crowns for a variety of reasons, but they’re typically placed over damaged teeth that cannot be fixed by other means. Shaped like natural teeth, crowns can help restore a tooth’s normal appearance and strength.
Crowns offer many benefits. They can:
There are a few different types of crowns that your dentist may recommend, depending on your overall dental health, including the health of your gum tissue, the condition of your natural teeth, and your tooth structure.
Dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells applied over existing teeth for cosmetic reasons, like hiding chips, stains, gaps, crooked teeth, and short or worn teeth. The result is a straight, bright smile that complements the contours of your natural teeth. Like crowns, veneers can be made of porcelain, ceramic, or resin.Â
When you’re considering a crown vs. veneers, keep in mind that crowns are more durable and encase the whole tooth. Crowns are used to restore the shape, size, and appearance of the tooth, while veneers bond to just the front surface of the tooth.Â
New York City cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Davidowitz says crowns and veneers can work together to create a beautiful smile. “In cases of restorative work, some patients already have crowns on some of their teeth. We would typically remove those crowns and match new ones to the particular veneer ceramic being used. In this way, veneers and existing crowns or implants flow seamlessly together, creating a uniform smile,” he says.
An implant-supported crown replaces a missing tooth by inserting a dental implant into the jawbone before attaching the crown.Â
This type of restoration can replace a missing tooth from root to crown, allowing it to look and work like a natural tooth. It’s a natural, long-lasting method for replacing a missing tooth.
A dental bridge fills gaps created by missing teeth with one or more false teeth. The bridge is usually created by placing dental crowns on natural teeth on either side of the gap (called abutment teeth), with prosthetic teeth in between. A bridge can also be supported by dental implants.
Getting a crown usually requires two dental visits, but some dentists can do it in one, if they have the technology to design crowns in the office (rather than outsourcing the task to a dental lab). Here’s what to expect.
Traditional crowns
Same-day crowns
If your dentist’s office has a CEREC machine and a 3-D scanner and printer for your teeth, the whole procedure can be done in one appointment. This streamlines the process and eliminates the need for a temporary crown.
Dental crowns are attached to your remaining tooth or an implant (a small stainless steel screw implanted into your jawbone) with a cement bonding material.Â
One study found that using the natural dentin of a remaining tooth as a post for the bonding agent helped eliminate stress fractures during root canal treatments.
Another study found that dentin-bonded ceramic crowns may “exhibit many favorable characteristics,” such as an aesthetically pleasing blend with your natural gum tissue and a lower risk for pulpal damage (abscess).
Dental crown pain the day of the procedure is common, but lasting dental crown problems or discomfort should be checked by your doctor.Â
Your level of discomfort will depend on the type of crown you get and the condition of the damaged tooth.Â
Any area being worked on will be numbed first with local anesthetic, and your dentist can recommend over-the-counter pain medication to help make you more comfortable for the first day or two after your procedure.
A dental crown should last from 5 to 15 years, depending on the type of material used and your oral hygiene practices.Â
To prolong the lifespan of your crown, avoid biting your nails, opening packages with your teeth, chewing on hard foods, and grinding your teeth at night.
A crowned tooth doesn’t require any special care, but the underlying tooth still needs to be protected from tooth decay and gum disease.Â
Good oral health practices include brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing daily, paying particular attention to the crown area and gumline.Â
If you have porcelain crowns, avoid eating or chewing on very hard foods, to prevent cracking.
Crowns are generally hassle-free for many years, but problems can arise. Some of the more common complications of dental capping include:
Updated October 4, 2022