Crown Recovery
A protective cap for a damaged tooth. Here’s the visit-by-visit timeline.
The Full Guide
A crown is like a helmet for a tooth, a custom cap that covers the entire visible portion of a damaged, cracked, or heavily filled tooth to protect it and restore its shape and strength.
When a tooth has too much damage or filling for it to safely handle normal biting forces on its own, a crown reinforces the whole tooth rather than just patching one spot, protecting it from cracking further and extending how long you keep it.
Wondering if a tooth needs a crown or if a filling will still work? Book a consultation and we'll take a look.
No special prep needed beyond a normal meal beforehand, since local anesthetic will leave you numb for a few hours after the prep visit.
Local anesthetic numbs the area before we begin. For upper teeth, numbness is usually limited to the cheek, lip, and gum near the tooth. Lower back teeth typically require a "block" injection, which numbs an entire side of the lower jaw, including the lip, chin, and often the tongue, not just the tooth being worked on.
The tooth is reshaped and trimmed down on all sides to make room for the crown material, then a digital scan or impression captures the exact shape for the lab. A temporary crown is made and cemented in place to protect the tooth while the final one is fabricated, usually over 1–3 weeks.
The temporary crown is removed and the tooth cleaned. The final crown is checked for fit, shade, and bite, then permanently cemented into place. We always use RelyX cement for crown cementation.
Numb. Avoid sticky foods (caramel, gum) and very hard foods on the temporary, and try chewing on the other side.
The temporary is functional but not as strong as the final one. Treat it gently.
Mild sensitivity to hot and cold is normal as the tooth adjusts to its new covering. Some tightness between teeth for the first few days as your bite settles is also normal, like new shoes needing a break-in period.
the temporary falls off before your next visit, or the final crown feels high or causes sharp pain when biting. A bite that's even slightly off can cause real discomfort and is a quick fix.
A note on this guide: this is general guidance. Your treating doctor's specific instructions for your individual case always take priority over anything written here. If something feels off or you're unsure, call us. Don't wait it out.
General & preventative care
Questions about your recovery?
We're always happy to talk through anything that feels uncertain. Never hesitate to call.