A dental crown is a custom-made cap designed to restore a tooth’s strength, shape, or appearance after significant damage, decay, or a root canal procedure. The traditional approach to receiving this restoration typically requires two separate visits to the dentist’s office. However, modern technology and the need for preliminary dental work can easily change this expected timeline, meaning the total number of visits varies from one to several.
The Standard Two-Visit Procedure
The most common method for crown placement involves two appointments spaced roughly two to three weeks apart, allowing time for the restoration to be custom-fabricated in a dental laboratory. The first visit centers on preparing the damaged tooth to ensure the permanent crown will fit securely and function properly. This appointment often begins with the administration of a local anesthetic to thoroughly numb the tooth and surrounding gum tissue.
Once the area is numb, the dentist reshapes the natural tooth structure by trimming down the sides and chewing surface. This preparation removes decay and creates a stable foundation, ensuring 1.5 to 2 millimeters of space for the final crown material. A precise impression of the trimmed tooth is then taken, often using a putty-like material or a digital scanner. An impression of the opposing jaw is also taken to register the bite. These molds, along with a shade selection, are sent to an off-site laboratory for the fabrication of the permanent crown.
Before the patient leaves the first appointment, a temporary crown is cemented onto the prepared tooth to protect it from sensitivity and damage. This temporary cap maintains space and function until the second visit, when the lab delivers the custom crown. The second appointment begins with the removal of the temporary crown and cleaning the underlying tooth. The permanent crown is tried on to check for fit, bite alignment, and aesthetic matching. After any necessary adjustments are confirmed, the permanent crown is bonded to the tooth using specialized dental cement.
Same-Day Crown Technology
A major exception to the two-visit rule is the use of Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology, such as CEREC, which allows the entire process to be completed in a single, extended appointment. This modern approach eliminates the need for a temporary crown and the two-to-three-week waiting period for lab fabrication. The process starts similarly to the traditional method with tooth preparation and the numbing of the area.
Instead of a physical mold, a specialized intraoral camera takes a precise digital scan of the prepared tooth. This digital map is fed into CAD software, where the dentist designs the custom crown on a computer screen, ensuring an ideal shape and bite. Once finalized, the data is sent to an in-office milling machine, which carves the restoration from a solid block of high-strength ceramic material. This milling process typically takes 10 to 20 minutes. The newly milled crown is polished and sometimes glazed before being permanently bonded onto the tooth during the same visit.
Preliminary Treatments That Increase the Visit Count
While the crown procedure itself may take one or two visits, the total number of appointments increases if the tooth requires preliminary treatments to establish a healthy foundation.
Root Canal Therapy
If the tooth has extensive decay reaching the nerve or pulp, root canal therapy must be completed before crown preparation begins. This adds at least one, and sometimes two, separate visits dedicated to clearing the infection and sealing the root canals.
Core Build-Up
If the existing tooth structure is severely compromised by decay or fracture, a core build-up may be necessary to support the crown. This procedure involves placing a dental filling material to reconstruct the tooth’s core. This can sometimes require an additional visit before the final shaping for the crown.
Periodontal Treatment
Underlying periodontal issues, such as gum disease, must be treated and stabilized before a crown is placed. Addressing gum health ensures the long-term success of the restoration. This often adds one or more appointments for deep cleanings or other gum therapy procedures.