Most people don't think about crowns until they need one, and then it's all they can think about. Fortunately, it’s not as daunting as it seems. A dental crown can restore a damaged tooth to its normal function. There are various types of dental crowns available depending on the patient’s needs, allowing for results that look more natural and feel more comfortable. This guide outlines what dental patients should know about crowns, including what to expect from the placement process.
What Is a Dental Crown?
A filling, bond, or veneer can address minor damage, like cavities and cosmetic flaws. But when a tooth has lost significant structure from decay, a crack, or heavy wear, those options won’t solve the issue. That's when a crown becomes necessary.
A crown doesn't replace the tooth the way a dental implant does. Rather, a tooth crown covers the entire tooth from the gumline up1. While it sounds serious, crowns are quite common, and they’re the only way to fully restore a significantly damaged tooth. Fortunately, once your dentist cements it in, it works like the original natural tooth.
When Do You Need a Crown?
The most common scenario is a cavity that went too deep. Fillings need solid tooth structure around them to bond to, but significant decay often means there isn’t enough left to work with. A crown covers what remains.
Cracks are another common cause, though they tend to be trickier because they spread slowly and can be hard to detect. By the time a crack becomes obvious, a crown is usually the only option that stops it from getting worse.
In some instances, grinding and acid erosion wear teeth down until there's not enough height left to chew. Crowns rebuild that surface to preserve the proper jaw positioning and chewing ability. They're also structural components in implants and bridges, which are used to replace teeth after an extraction.
Most people will also need a crown following a root canal2. While the procedure saves the tooth, the remaining structure is hollowed out and fragile. Without a crown's protection, normal chewing pressure can be enough to fracture it.
Types of Dental Crowns
Metal
Gold and metal crowns last longer than other material, typically at least 15 years. However, they’re usually only used on the molars because the color makes them visible.
Metal crowns are unlikely to chip and require little maintenance beyond normal brushing.
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM)
PFM crowns have been the standard for visible teeth for a long time, and they're still widely used for good reason. The design is straightforward: a metal core for strength, and tooth-colored porcelain on the outside to blend it with the other teeth.
These crowns hold up well for years in most cases. The main issues over time are cosmetic rather than structural, since the porcelain layer can chip with enough force. Eventually, a faint gray line may appear at the gumline as the metal core starts to show through. Neither of these issues is a significant problem, but they’re worth knowing about beforehand.
All-Ceramic and All-Porcelain
When appearance matters most, these materials are the way to go. The translucency resembles real enamel enough that these crowns blend into a smile in a way that PFM and metal can't match.
These crowns are good for front teeth and for anyone with metal sensitivities. They're not built for the sustained force molars deal with, though. A back tooth grinding through food will eventually damage the crown.
Zirconia
This is the best of all possible worlds. Zirconia looks ceramic and holds up like metal, so many dentists recommend it as a first choice. This saves patients from choosing between appearance and durability, regardless of where the crown is being placed.
When patients ask about the types of dental crowns and aren't sure where to start, zirconia is often where that conversation ends up.
Resin
Resin is the least expensive and most fragile material. These crowns are typically not meant to last, so you'll see it used as a placeholder while the permanent crown is made at the lab.
What to Expect During the Dental Crown Procedure
First Appointment
Placing a crown usually takes about 90 minutes. The tooth gets numbed, then the dentist shaves a thin layer of enamel from all sides to make room for the crown. If the tooth is badly damaged, they'll build it up with filling material so there's something solid for the crown to grip.
An impression or digital scan goes to the lab to create a permanent crown. In the meantime, you’ll have a temporary one to protect the tooth while the final one is made, which can take a couple of weeks. The dental crown procedure is faster than most patients expect once the initial appointment is over.
Second Appointment
This appointment typically runs 30 to 45 minutes. The temporary piece is removed, the permanent crown is checked for fit, and then adjustments are made before the crown is cemented in.
Cold sensitivity can last a week or two after the procedure. If the bite feels strange once the numbness wears off, call and get it adjusted.
Same-Day Crowns
Some offices have milling machines that design and cut a ceramic crown on-site. All you need is one visit, and you are done in a few hours. A temporary crown is not needed. Not every practice has the equipment, but it's worth asking about.
Been told you need a crown? Beam Dental will walk you through the entire process, from your first X-ray to your final fit. Book your consultation today and get every question answered.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do dental crowns last?
It depends on the material and individual habits, but there are average timelines patients can expect. Metal crowns often last 15 to 20 years, while PFM lasts around 10 to 15 years3. Ceramic and zirconia tend to last 10 to 12 years; however, the zirconia material is improving.
Patients who floss daily, keep up with their cleanings, and wear a night guard if they grind will get a lot more out of a crown than those who don't.
Does getting a crown hurt?
Since the treatment area is numbed during the procedure, you should not experience discomfort. Afterward, you will likely feel some soreness and temperature sensitivity for a few days.
What catches people off guard is that their bite feels slightly wrong once the anesthetic wears off. While you may just need to get used to the tooth’s restored size and shape, it’s possible that the crown requires a minor bite adjustment at a quick follow-up.
Can I eat normally with a dental crown?
Yes, you can eat normally with a permanent crown. However, temporary crowns are a different story and can be susceptible to damage or becoming dislodged when eating sticky or hard foods.
While a normal diet is fine once you have a permanent crown, treating your teeth like tools is not advisable. Chewing ice, cracking nut shells, and biting into things that aren't food can all damage the crown.
And if you're wondering, “How long do dental crowns last with normal eating habits,” the answer is that you should be able to reach the material’s full lifespan with proper care and habits.
Sources:
- (14 April 2023). Dental Crowns. Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved March 31, 2026, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/10923-dental-crowns
- Dental crown. MedlinePlus. Retrieved March 31, 2026, from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007631.htm
- (14 October 2024). Dental Crowns: Purpose, Procedure, Complications, Care. WebMD. Retrieved March 31, 2026, from https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/dental-crowns
