What to Expect When You Get a Dental Crown

What Is a Dental Crown?

A crown is a custom-made cap that covers the entire visible part of a tooth. It restores the tooth’s shape, strength, and appearance, and it protects what’s left of the natural tooth underneath.

At Gloss Dental Studio, we use porcelain crowns that are shade-matched to blend with your natural smile.

Why Would I Need a Crown?

Crowns are usually recommended when a tooth is too damaged or weakened for a filling to hold up. Common reasons include:

• A cracked or broken tooth
• A large cavity that has destroyed much of the tooth
• A tooth with a large, old filling that is failing
• A tooth that has had a root canal
• A tooth that is badly worn down

In many cases, a crown is the best way to save a tooth that would otherwise keep breaking down. If a tooth has a visible crack, ask about cracked tooth repair as well.

Crown or Filling: What’s the Difference?

A filling repairs a small area of a tooth. A crown covers the whole tooth. Your dentist will recommend a crown when the remaining tooth structure needs more support than a filling can give. For smaller cavities, a tooth-colored filling is usually enough.

The Dental Crown Process, Step by Step

Most crown treatments at Gloss Dental Studio are completed over two visits.

Visit 1: Preparing the Tooth

1. Numbing: We numb the area so you’re comfortable throughout the visit.
2. Shaping: We remove any decay and gently shape the tooth so the crown can fit securely over it.
3. Impression or scan: We capture the exact shape of the tooth and your bite so your crown can be custom-made.
4. Shade matching: We match the color of your crown to your neighboring teeth.
5. Temporary crown: You leave with a temporary crown that protects the tooth while your permanent crown is made.

Between Visits: Caring for Your Temporary

Temporary crowns are less sturdy than permanent ones. Until your next visit:

• Avoid sticky or very hard foods on that side
• Chew on the opposite side when you can
• Slide floss out to the side instead of pulling it up

If your temporary comes off, call our office so we can put it back on.

Visit 2: Placing Your Permanent Crown

We remove the temporary, check the fit, color, and bite of your new crown, and make any small adjustments. Once everything feels right, we bond the crown in place.

Does Getting a Crown Hurt?

The procedure itself is typically comfortable because the tooth is numbed. Some patients notice mild sensitivity or gum tenderness for a few days afterward, which usually fades on its own. If you feel anxious about dental visits, ask us about oral conscious sedation.

How Long Do Crowns Last?

With good care, porcelain crowns can last many years. The crown itself can’t get a cavity, but the natural tooth underneath still can, especially along the gumline. To protect your crown:

• Brush twice a day and floss daily
• Keep up with your routine cleanings and exams
• Avoid chewing ice, pens, or other hard objects
• Let us know if you grind or clench your teeth, so we can talk about protecting your crown

Does Insurance Cover Crowns?

Many dental insurance plans cover part of the cost of a crown when it’s needed to protect a damaged tooth. Coverage varies by plan, so it’s worth checking your benefits before treatment. If you still have benefits left this year, finishing a recommended crown before your plan resets may help you use them.

Get a Dental Crown in Milford, OH

At Gloss Dental Studio, Dr. Alexandra Shehata Kress and Dr. Christina Huber explain every step so you always know what to expect. We serve patients from Milford and nearby communities including Indian Hill, Montgomery, Loveland, Terrace Park, and Anderson Township.

If a tooth is cracked, sensitive, or has a large failing filling, call (513) 831-2121 or request an appointment. If you’re in pain right now, visit our emergency dentistry page.