Dental crowns: the short answer
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that covers and protects a tooth that is weak, broken, heavily filled or treated with a root canal. At Dr. Gowds Dental Hospitals, a crown can be made in a single visit of about two to three hours with CAD/CAM technology, or over two visits with a laboratory crown. With good oral hygiene, a well-made crown lasts 10 to 15 years or more.
| Crown type | Looks | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Zirconia | Natural, tooth-coloured | Back teeth and bridges that need strength |
| Lithium disilicate (E.max) | Very natural, translucent | Front teeth and visible teeth |
| Porcelain fused to metal | Tooth-coloured with a metal core | Strength where appearance matters less |
| Metal or gold | Metal-coloured | Back teeth under heavy biting forces |
Your dentist recommends the material after checking your bite and the tooth. Read more about crowns and bridges.
Crowns are one of the most common dental treatments, and one of the most asked about: when is a crown really needed, which type is best, and how long does it take? This guide answers each question and explains how to look after a crown so that it lasts.
When do you need a dental crown?
A crown is needed when a tooth is too weak or damaged for a filling to hold it together.
- After a root canal on a back tooth, to stop it cracking
- A large cavity or an old, very large filling that leaves little natural tooth
- A cracked or broken tooth
- A badly worn tooth, for example from grinding
- To cover a dental implant, or to hold a bridge in place
- To improve the shape or colour of a misshapen or badly stained tooth
Types of dental crowns
The main crown materials are zirconia, lithium disilicate (E.max), porcelain fused to metal, and metal or gold. Each balances appearance and strength differently.
- Zirconia: very strong and tooth-coloured, with no metal, so there is no dark line at the gum. A good choice for back teeth and bridges.
- Lithium disilicate (E.max): the most natural-looking option, with a translucency close to natural enamel. Ideal for front teeth.
- Porcelain fused to metal: a metal core with porcelain on top. Strong, but a thin dark line can show at the gum over time.
- Metal or gold: very durable and kind to the opposite teeth, but not tooth-coloured, so usually used for back teeth only.
How long does it take to get a crown?
A same-day CAD/CAM crown takes one visit of about two to three hours. A laboratory crown takes two visits, with a temporary crown in between.
| Same-day CAD/CAM crown | Laboratory crown | |
|---|---|---|
| Visits | One | Two |
| Impressions | 3D digital scan | Scan or putty impression |
| Temporary crown | Not needed | Worn between visits |
| Made | Designed and milled in our in-house laboratory during your visit | Made in the laboratory between visits |
Learn more about same day crown treatment and CAD/CAM restorations.
What happens when you get a crown?
- Examination and X-ray to check the root, the nerve and the surrounding bone.
- Preparing the tooth under local anaesthesia: decay and old filling are removed and the tooth is shaped.
- Scan or impression of the prepared tooth and the opposite teeth.
- Making the crown, either milled the same day or made in the laboratory.
- Fitting: the crown is checked for fit, bite and colour, then bonded in place.
How long does a dental crown last?
With good brushing, cleaning between the teeth and regular check-ups, a crown is designed to last 10 to 15 years or more.
- Grinding or clenching, biting hard objects and gum disease shorten a crown’s life.
- A night guard protects crowns if you grind your teeth.
- The tooth under a crown can still decay at the edge, so cleaning there matters.
Crown, filling or onlay: which do you need?
A filling repairs a small cavity. An onlay covers part of the biting surface when a filling would be too large. A crown covers the whole tooth when it is too weak for either.
Our in-house laboratory makes crowns, onlays, inlays and veneers, so your dentist can choose the most conservative option that will last. If a tooth is missing altogether, see implants or bridges.
How Dr. Gowds Dental Hospitals makes crowns
Crowns are planned by our prosthodontists under Prof. Dr. Vikas Gowd, M.D.S., Prosthodontist and Implantologist, and made in our in-house CAD/CAM laboratory. Dr. Gowds Dental Hospitals was the first in South India to place CAD/CAM crowns, in 2012.
Crown consultations are available at our Banjara Hills, Secunderabad and Hitech City (which also serves Kondapur) branches.
Frequently asked questions
What is a dental crown?
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that covers a damaged or weak tooth to restore its shape, strength and appearance. It is bonded in place and covers the whole visible part of the tooth.
How long does it take to get a crown?
A same-day CAD/CAM crown takes one visit of about two to three hours. A laboratory crown takes two visits, with a temporary crown in between while the crown is made.
Which crown is best for front teeth?
Lithium disilicate (E.max) is usually the best-looking option for front teeth because its translucency is close to natural enamel. Zirconia is also tooth-coloured and is chosen when extra strength is needed.
Which crown is best for back teeth?
Zirconia is a common choice for back teeth because it is very strong and tooth-coloured. Metal or gold crowns are also very durable but are not tooth-coloured.
Does getting a crown hurt?
No. The tooth is numbed with local anaesthesia while it is prepared. Mild sensitivity for a few days afterwards is common and settles on its own.
How long do dental crowns last?
With good oral hygiene and regular check-ups, a crown is designed to last 10 to 15 years or more. Grinding, biting hard objects and gum disease can shorten its life.
Do I always need a crown after a root canal?
Back teeth usually need a crown after a root canal because they take heavy chewing forces and can crack. Front teeth sometimes only need a filling. Your dentist advises after treatment.
Can a crown be placed on a dental implant?
Yes. Implant crowns are made in zirconia or ceramic and attached to the implant with an abutment. Our CAD/CAM system also makes custom implant abutments in zirconia or titanium.
Can a crowned tooth still get decay?
Yes. The crown itself cannot decay, but the natural tooth at its edge can. Brushing twice a day and cleaning between the teeth daily protect it.
Is a same-day crown as good as a lab crown?
Yes. Same-day crowns are milled from strong ceramic or zirconia blocks with micron-level accuracy and are designed to last 10 to 15 years or more, like a laboratory crown.
Need a crown?
Book a consultation, call your nearest branch or message us on WhatsApp. We will tell you whether a crown is needed, which material suits your tooth, and whether it can be done the same day.
Read next: same day crown treatment in Hyderabad.
