A dental crown is a custom-made cap that covers the entire visible surface of a tooth, restoring its original size and shape. Following a root canal, the tooth often loses internal structure, making it weaker and susceptible to fracture. Placing a crown protects this compromised tooth, reinforcing it against the forces of biting and chewing. Understanding the steps involved can help manage expectations regarding the total time spent in the dental chair and the overall elapsed time until the final restoration is in place.
The Standard Two-Appointment Timeline
The traditional method for placing a permanent crown after a root canal typically spans two to three weeks. This duration is dictated by the process of creating the custom restoration in an off-site dental laboratory. The total timeline involves two distinct appointments separated by this necessary waiting period for fabrication.
The standard process begins with the first visit for tooth preparation and ends with the second visit for final cementation. During the interim period, a temporary crown is securely placed over the prepared tooth. This temporary restoration shields the vulnerable tooth from temperature changes and prevents surrounding teeth from shifting position while the permanent crown is crafted.
First Visit: Preparation and Temporary Crown Placement
The initial appointment is generally the longest, with chair time typically lasting between 60 and 90 minutes. This time is dedicated to preparing the tooth to receive the crown and gathering the necessary data for the dental lab. The dentist begins by administering local anesthetic to ensure comfort throughout the procedure.
The tooth must be precisely shaped, or reduced, to create space for the crown material. This involves removing some of the remaining tooth structure, depending on the crown material chosen, while ensuring the final cap does not interfere with the patient’s bite. Once prepared, an impression is taken using putty-like material or digital scanning technology. This impression serves as the blueprint the dental lab uses to fabricate the permanent crown, ensuring a customized fit. Finally, a temporary crown is cemented onto the prepared tooth to protect it during the waiting period.
Second Visit: Fitting the Permanent Crown
The second appointment is considerably shorter than the first, typically requiring 30 to 60 minutes of chair time. This visit focuses on finalizing the restoration and permanently bonding the custom-made crown to the tooth. The procedure begins with the removal of the temporary crown.
The dentist places the permanent crown to check its fit, ensuring it aligns correctly with adjacent teeth and the opposing bite. The color and aesthetics are also confirmed so the crown blends naturally with the patient’s other teeth. If minor adjustments are required, they are made chairside before the final step. Once the fit is confirmed, the permanent crown is bonded securely to the prepared tooth using specialized dental cement.
Single-Visit Crown Procedures
A significant alternative is the single-visit crown procedure, made possible by technologies like Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing (CAD/CAM), such as CEREC. This option eliminates the two-to-three-week waiting period by consolidating the entire process into one extended appointment. The total chair time for a single-visit crown typically ranges from 90 minutes to three hours.
The process begins similarly to the traditional method with tooth preparation. Instead of a physical impression, a digital scan of the prepared tooth is immediately captured using an intraoral camera. This 3D data is used by the dentist to design the crown virtually using specialized software. Once approved, the design is sent to an in-office milling machine, which carves the crown from a block of ceramic material while the patient waits. This on-site fabrication eliminates the need for a temporary crown and laboratory turnaround time, allowing the permanent restoration to be cemented during the same session.