Reviewed by Dr. Alan Baughman, DMD, MBA
Dental crowns are a common and effective solution for restoring damaged or decayed teeth. They are used to cover and protect a tooth that has undergone a root canal treatment, is broken or chipped, or is too weak to support a filling.
While dental crown procedures have been around for decades, advancements in dental technology have made the process faster, more convenient, and aesthetically pleasing.
In this blog post, we will explore the main types of dental crowns and how long it typically takes to get a crown placed.
Table of Contents
- Reasons You May Need a Dental Crown
- How Long Does It Take To Get a Crown?
- Same-Day Crowns
- Traditional Crown Timeline
- Factors That Affect the Time It Takes To Get a Dental Crown
- Visit Clearwater Dentistry for Dental Crowns in Greeley, CO
- Frequently Asked Questions
Reasons You May Need a Dental Crown
A dentist may recommend a dental crown to:
- Restore a natural tooth with significant decay
- Protect a weak tooth
- Restore a broken or worn-down tooth
- Cover discolored or misshapen teeth
- Cover a dental implant
- Protect a restored tooth after a root canal treatment
Key Takeaway
The time it takes to get a dental crown depends on the type of crown you receive and if additional procedures are needed. Same-day crowns can be completed in one appointment, while traditional crowns may take multiple appointments and a few weeks to complete.
How Long Does It Take To Get a Crown?
The time it takes to get a crown placed depends on the type of crown you are receiving and any additional procedures needed.
Same-day crowns are completed in a single appointment. On the other hand, traditional crowns require two appointments and typically take 2-3 weeks for the final crown to be made in the dental laboratory.
Same-Day Crowns
At Clearwater Dentistry, we are proud to offer our patients the convenience and ease of CEREC same-day crowns.
We use the Dentsply Primescan Intraoral scanner to take a 3D digital impression of your tooth. The data is sent to our in-office milling machine, which creates a custom porcelain crown that fits your tooth perfectly. You can get the new crown in just one appointment without needing multiple visits or a temporary crown.
From scanning to crown placement, the entire procedure takes around 2.5 hours. Same-day crowns save you time and eliminate costs associated with traditional crown procedures.
Traditional Crown Timeline
Traditional crowns, also known as lab-made crowns, are created in a dental laboratory. The process typically takes longer and requires two appointments. Here is what you can expect:
- Your dentist will prepare your tooth for the crown by removing decay or damaged areas. Then, a mold or impression of your tooth is taken and sent to the dental laboratory.
- A temporary crown will be placed on your prepared tooth to protect it until the permanent crown is ready.
- Once the permanent crown is ready, your dentist will remove the temporary crown and fit the permanent one. Minor adjustments may be made to ensure a perfect fit before cementing it in place.
This entire process takes about 2-3 weeks.
Factors That Affect the Time It Takes To Get a Dental Crown
In some cases, additional procedures may be necessary before placing a crown, which can prolong the overall process.
- If the tooth has extensive decay or damage, a root canal treatment may be required first to save and strengthen the tooth.
- If not enough healthy tooth structure is left to support a crown, a dental implant may need to be placed before the crown can be placed.
Visit Clearwater Dentistry for Dental Crowns in Greeley, CO
Dental crown procedures have become more efficient and convenient thanks to advancements in dental technology. We use the latest technology and techniques for a comfortable and efficient dental crown experience. Our experienced dentist, Dr. Baughman, promotes a holistic and preventive approach to your dental care.
If you are searching for a dentist in Greeley, CO, contact us to take the first step towards a healthier smile! Call (970) 515-3550 or complete the online booking form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Getting a dental crown is typically not painful as the procedure is performed under local anesthesia. Some discomfort or sensitivity is expected after the procedure, but your dentist can recommend over-the-counter pain reliever or prescribe pain medication to alleviate any discomfort.
You can eat as soon as the anesthesia wears off. However, avoid hard foods for the first 2 days to allow the crown to set and avoid chewing sticky foods on the crown indefinitely as they may pull the crown off.
Crown placement time depends on crown type and additional procedures. Same-day crowns take one appointment, while traditional crowns need two and take 2 to 3 weeks.
It is never too late to receive a dental crown as long as there is sufficient tooth structure to support the crown. However, if waiting too long causes further damage or decay, additional procedures may be required before placing the crown.
If you are searching for ‘dental crowns near me,’ contact Clearwater Dentistry!
