The Dental Crown Procedure: What Happens at Each Visit

If your dentist has mentioned a crown, it's natural to want to know what actually happens in the chair. At North Beach Dental we find that most worry about dental work comes from not knowing what to expect. This guide walks through the dental crown procedure step by step, so you know exactly what each visit involves before you sit down.

A crown is a custom cap that fits over a tooth that's been weakened by decay, a crack, a large old filling, or a root canal. It covers the whole visible part of the tooth, restoring its shape and letting you bite and chew normally again. Crowns are one of the services we offer at North Beach Dental, and we're happy to talk you through whether one is the right fit for your tooth.

Dental crown procedure steps: the first visit

The first appointment is where most of the work happens. It usually includes a few clear stages.

Checking the tooth is ready for a crown

Before any shaping begins, your dentist checks the tooth and the gum around it. This might include a digital X-ray to see what's happening below the gum line. We take X-rays and the panoramic X-ray, called an OPG, here at the practice, so you're not sent elsewhere for imaging partway through your treatment.

If the tooth's nerve is damaged or infected, root canal treatment is usually done first. We'll come back to how that connects to your crown a bit further down.

Shaping the tooth

Your dentist numbs the tooth and the gum around it with a local anaesthetic. Once the area is numb, the tooth is gently reshaped. Some of the outer surface is trimmed away to leave room for the crown to sit over it without feeling bulky or sitting too high against your bite.

How much is trimmed depends on the tooth and the type of crown planned. If the tooth has lost a lot of structure already, a filling material might be used first to build it back up before shaping, giving the crown a solid base to sit on.

Taking the impression

Once the tooth is shaped, your dentist takes an impression, either with a putty-like material or a digital scanner. This captures the exact shape of your tooth and the teeth around it, including how your upper and lower teeth meet when you bite together.

That impression goes off to a dental laboratory, where your custom crown is made to match the shape, size and colour of your natural teeth. This is the part of the dental crown procedure that takes the longest, simply because it's handcrafted rather than something that can be rushed.

Fitting the temporary crown

Before you leave your first visit, a temporary crown is placed over the shaped tooth. This protects it and keeps it comfortable while the permanent one is being made. Temporary crowns aren't as strong as the final crown, so your dentist will give you some simple tips, like avoiding very sticky or hard foods on that side, until your next visit.

The second visit: fitting your final crown

Once your crown comes back from the laboratory, you'll come in for your fitting appointment. This one is usually much quicker than the first.

• The temporary crown is removed and the tooth is cleaned.
• Your dentist checks the fit, shape and colour of the new crown against your natural teeth.
• You'll be asked to bite together so your dentist can check your bite feels even and comfortable.
• Once you're both happy with it, the crown is cemented firmly onto the tooth.

Any small adjustments to the shape or bite are usually made at this visit, before the crown is permanently fixed in place. You can read more about the process on our crowns and bridges page.

How long does a crown procedure take?

Most crowns are done over two visits, with a gap of roughly one to three weeks between them while the laboratory makes the crown. The exact timing depends on the laboratory and on whether your tooth needs extra treatment first, like a filling build-up or root canal.

Each individual appointment generally runs for about an hour, though this varies depending on how much preparation the tooth needs. Your dentist will give you a better idea of timing once they've had a proper look at the tooth in question.

Dental crown procedure after root canal treatment

A crown is often recommended after root canal treatment, especially on back teeth that take a lot of chewing pressure. Root canal treatment removes the infected or damaged nerve inside a tooth, but it can leave the tooth structure more brittle afterwards.

A crown covers and protects that weakened tooth, reducing the chance of it cracking under everyday biting forces. If you've had a root canal with us, your dentist will talk you through whether a crown is the next step and when it's best scheduled.

What to expect during and after your appointment

During tooth preparation, you'll feel pressure and movement rather than sharp pain, thanks to the local anaesthetic. Once the anaesthetic wears off, some mild sensitivity to hot or cold is common for a few days, and this usually settles down on its own. If you need something for comfort, follow the directions on the pack or ask your pharmacist.

Your gum around the crown might feel a little tender for a day or two as well. If your bite still feels off after a few days, or discomfort doesn't ease up, get in touch with us so we can take a look. For spreading facial swelling, fever, trouble breathing or swallowing, or bleeding that won't stop, go to a hospital emergency department straight away.

What affects the cost of a crown

We won't list prices here, because the right crown for your tooth depends on a few things, including the material used, whether you need treatment like a root canal or a build-up first, and how many teeth are involved. Every treatment plan is different.

What we can promise is that your dentist will explain the treatment plan and its costs with you before any work begins, so there are no surprises partway through. You're welcome to ask for the item numbers so you can check them against your health fund. North Beach Dental is a preferred provider for HBF, Medibank, HCF and nib, which usually means a smaller gap for members of those funds. If you're with a different fund, you can still generally claim, so it's worth checking with them directly.

If your crown follows a root canal or another procedure under your extras cover, it's worth remembering that most extras limits reset on 31 December, though you should check your own fund's reset date.

Looking after your tooth once the crown is fitted

A crown protects the top of the tooth, but the tooth underneath can still get decay, and the gum around it can still be affected by plaque. Brushing twice a day and cleaning between your teeth daily keeps the area around the crown healthy.

Regular check-ups matter too. Our usual recall advice is an exam and scale and clean about every six months, with bitewing X-rays about every two years, though your dentist will set the timing that suits you. If you grind your teeth at night, mention this at your check-up, as a splint may be worth discussing to protect your crown and other teeth over time.

For more detail on how long crowns typically hold up and what helps them last, we've covered that in a separate post once it's published on our blog.

Frequently asked questions

Does getting a dental crown hurt?

Your tooth and gum are numbed with a local anaesthetic before any shaping starts, so you shouldn't feel sharp pain during preparation. You may feel pressure or vibration, and it's fine to ask your dentist to pause at any point.

Afterwards, some mild sensitivity is common for a few days as the area settles.

Can I eat normally with a temporary crown?

It's best to go easy on that side of your mouth while you have a temporary crown. Avoid very sticky foods, like chewy lollies, and hard foods that could dislodge or crack it, until your final crown is fitted.

How many visits does a crown take?

Most crowns are completed over two visits: one for shaping the tooth and taking the impression, and a second to fit the final crown once it's back from the laboratory. If other treatment is needed first, such as a filling or root canal, that may add an extra appointment.

What's the difference between a crown and a filling?

A filling repairs a small area of damage within the tooth, while a crown covers the entire visible surface of the tooth. Your dentist will recommend whichever one is most suitable based on how much healthy tooth structure remains.

Will my crown look like a natural tooth?

Your dentist takes a shade match and impression so the crown is made to suit the colour, shape and size of your other teeth. Results vary from person to person depending on the material chosen and the condition of the tooth underneath.

If you'd like to talk through whether a crown is right for your tooth, our team at North Beach Dental is happy to help. You can find more about how we work with new patients on our new patients page, or learn a bit more about our team on our about us page. North Beach Dental is based at 17 Lawley Street, North Beach, and welcomes patients from Carine, Marmion, Watermans Bay, Trigg, Karrinyup, Scarborough, Warwick and right across Perth's northern beaches. To ask a question or arrange a time, call us on (08) 9447 1514 or choose a time that suits you through our online booking page.