How Long Does Putting A Crown Take

How Long Does Getting a Dental Crown Take? A Comprehensive Guide

Getting a dental crown can significantly improve your smile and oral health. But how long does the whole process take? It's not a quick fix, but understanding the timeline can help manage your expectations. This comprehensive guide breaks down the process and the time involved at each stage.

The Multi-Stage Process of Getting a Dental Crown

The placement of a dental crown involves several appointments spread over a few weeks. This isn't just a single procedure; it's a carefully orchestrated series of steps designed to ensure a perfect, long-lasting fit. Let's examine the timeline:

Appointment 1: Preparation and Impression

This is where the journey begins. Your dentist will:

• Examine the tooth: Assess the tooth's condition and plan the crown placement. This includes taking X-rays to check for any underlying issues.
• Prepare the tooth: This involves reshaping the tooth to make room for the crown. This is often the most time-consuming part of the appointment.
• Take impressions: A mold of your tooth is made using a putty-like material. This is crucial for creating a custom-fit crown. This may take approximately 30-45 minutes, depending on your dentist's techniques and the complexity of your case.
• Temporary crown placement (optional): In some cases, a temporary crown is placed to protect the prepared tooth until the permanent crown is ready.

Total Time: This appointment generally lasts 1-2 hours.

Appointment 2: Crown Placement

Once your custom-made crown is ready (usually 1-3 weeks), you'll have a second appointment to have it placed. This appointment involves:

• Temporary crown removal: If you had a temporary crown, your dentist will remove it.
• Crown fitting and adjustment: Your dentist will carefully check the fit of the permanent crown and make any necessary adjustments to ensure a perfect fit, comfort, and bite.
• Cementation: The permanent crown is cemented into place.
• Final adjustments and check-up: A final check is done to ensure everything is perfect and that your bite is correct. This may include a follow up appointment, if any further adjustments are needed.

Total Time: This appointment typically lasts 30-60 minutes.

Factors Affecting the Total Time

Several factors can influence the overall time it takes to get a dental crown:

• Complexity of the case: More complex cases, such as teeth with significant damage or those requiring root canal treatment before crown placement, may take longer.
• Lab processing time: The time it takes for the dental lab to create the crown can vary depending on their workload and the complexity of the crown.
• Scheduling availability: Your dentist's appointment availability can influence the timeline between appointments.

Overall Timeline Summary:

While the exact timeline can vary, expect the entire process to take between 2-4 weeks, or possibly longer, depending on the above mentioned factors.

Planning Ahead

The best way to manage expectations is open communication with your dentist. Discussing the process, potential timeline, and any concerns you may have will ensure a smooth and successful experience. By understanding the stages involved, you can feel confident and prepared throughout the entire process of receiving a dental crown.