Dental Crown (Cap) Procedure: What Happens, Visit by Visit

Before any cutting, the dentist examines the tooth and takes an X-ray. A crown can only last if the tooth under it is healthy, so decay is removed first, gum problems are treated, and a tooth with a damaged nerve is root-treated. For a tooth that has had a root canal, see root canal treatment steps for how it is prepared.

A tooth that has lost a large part of its structure may need a core build-up, and sometimes a post, to give the cap something solid to grip.

The area is numbed with local anaesthetic, so you feel pressure and vibration but not pain. The dentist then trims the tooth all round and on top, making room for the crown so that it does not end up bulky or sit too high. The amount removed depends on the material, which is covered in types of dental crowns.

The edge of the preparation sits at or just below the gum line, because the seal at this margin decides how long the crown lasts. If the gum bleeds, it may be gently controlled before the next step.

An impression is taken with putty-like material, or the tooth is scanned digitally. The laboratory uses it to make the crown, and for visible teeth the dentist records the shade so the crown matches its neighbours.

A temporary crown, made of acrylic or composite, is cemented with a weak cement. It protects the shaped tooth and the gum for the week or two it takes to make the permanent cap. Avoid sticky or hard food on that side, and floss by sliding the floss out sideways rather than pulling it up, so the temporary stays in place. If it comes off, call the clinic rather than leaving the tooth exposed.

The temporary is removed and the permanent crown is tried on the tooth. The dentist checks the fit at the edge, the contact with the neighbouring teeth, the colour and the bite. Small adjustments are made at the chair. The crown is only cemented once the fit and bite are right.

Once cemented, excess cement is cleared from around the gum line and you are asked to bite and move your jaw to confirm the bite feels natural. Some sensitivity to hot and cold for a few days is common on a tooth that still has its nerve. A bite that feels high should be adjusted rather than endured.

A crown cannot decay, but the tooth underneath at the margin can. Brush and floss around it as you would a natural tooth, and keep up regular check-ups. If you grind your teeth, mention it, because grinding is a common reason for crowns to chip or loosen.

Crown costs in Lucknow depend mostly on the material, and the full table is on our dental crown cost in Lucknow page. Our crowns and bridges page explains when a crown is recommended.