Dental Crowns Waterloo
A crown (or cap) is a covering that encases the entire tooth surface restoring it to its original shape and size. A crown protects and strengthens tooth structure that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations.
Although there are several types of crowns, porcelain (tooth colored crown) are the most popular, because they resemble your natural teeth. They are highly durable and will last many years, but like most dental restorations, they may eventually need to be replaced. Porcelain crowns are made to match the shape, size, and color or your teeth giving you a natural, long-lasting beautiful smile.
Reasons to choose dental crowns:
- Broken or fractured teeth.
- Cosmetic enhancement.
- Decayed teeth.
- Fractured fillings.
- Large fillings.
- Tooth has a root canal.
What Does Getting a Crown Involve?
A crown procedure usually requires two appointments. Your first appointment will include taking several highly accurate molds (or impressions) that will be used to create your custom crown. A mold will also be used to create a temporary crown which will stay on your tooth for approximately two weeks until your new crown is fabricated by a dental laboratory.
While the tooth is numb, the Waterloo cosmetic dentist will prepare the tooth by removing any decay and shaping the surface to properly fit the crown. Once these details are accomplished, your temporary crown will be placed with temporary cement and your bite will be checked to ensure you are biting properly.
At your second appointment your temporary crown will be removed, the tooth will be cleaned, and your new crown will be carefully placed to ensure the spacing and bite are accurate.
You will be given care instructions and encouraged to have regular dental visits to check your new crown.
What to Expect From a Crown Procedure
A dental crown covers a tooth completely, restoring shape, strength, and function when a filling alone is no longer enough. Crowns are most commonly placed on teeth that have had root canal treatment, large old fillings that have failed, fractures, or extensive decay. The traditional process involves two visits about two to three weeks apart, with a temporary crown bridging the gap.
At the first visit, the tooth is numbed with local anaesthetic. The dentist removes any decay or old filling material and shapes the tooth so that the crown will fit over it with the right thickness of material on each side. A digital scan or physical impression captures the prepared tooth and the surrounding bite. The impression is sent to a dental lab that fabricates the permanent crown to the dentist's specifications. A temporary crown made of acrylic or composite is placed over the prepared tooth to protect it while you wait. The temporary is meant to last a few weeks, not indefinitely, so the second visit is scheduled within that window.
At the second visit, the temporary crown is removed, the tooth is cleaned, and the permanent crown is tried in. The dentist checks the fit at the margins where the crown meets the tooth, verifies the colour and shape, and confirms the bite is correct. Once everything is right, the crown is cemented in place with a strong dental bonding agent. A final polish and a bite check finish the appointment. Most patients have full function back the same day.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Crown
Crowns are a tool for teeth that need more than a filling but are healthy enough to save. Your dentist may recommend a crown when:
- A tooth has had root canal treatment and needs structural support for long-term use
- A large old filling has failed or the surrounding tooth has cracked under it
- More than a third of the tooth has been lost to decay or fracture, leaving too little structure for a filling to hold reliably
- A tooth is cracked but not split, and needs to be held together to prevent the crack from progressing
- A dental implant has been placed and needs a crown to restore chewing function
- A worn-down tooth needs to be rebuilt to its original height for proper bite alignment
- A misshapen or discoloured tooth in the smile zone needs cosmetic restoration that veneers alone cannot handle
Where decay or fracture has extended too far below the gum line or into the root, the tooth may not be restorable with a crown and other options (extraction with implant or bridge) become the conversation. Your dentist will discuss what your specific tooth needs before any treatment is started.
Care and How Long a Crown Lasts
A well-made crown placed on a healthy tooth foundation generally lasts ten to fifteen years, sometimes longer. The crown itself (porcelain or zirconia) does not decay, but the natural tooth structure underneath can develop decay at the margin where the crown meets the tooth if home care is inconsistent. This is the most common reason a crown needs replacement.
Daily care for a crowned tooth is the same as for natural teeth: brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, floss daily (slide the floss in and out rather than snapping it down onto the gum, especially around the crown margin), and keep cleaning visits every six months. Hygienists check the crown's fit and the surrounding gum health at every visit. If you grind your teeth at night, a custom nightguard significantly extends the life of any crown.
Be alert to changes — sensitivity that develops after months of comfortable use, a crown that suddenly feels loose, or gum tenderness around the crown all warrant a call. Catching these early usually means a simple adjustment or repair; ignoring them can mean losing the underlying tooth.
Cost and Insurance Coverage
Crown cost varies with the material (porcelain-fused-to-metal, all-porcelain, zirconia, or gold), the position of the tooth in the mouth (front teeth often use different materials than back teeth), and any preparatory work needed (such as build-up of the tooth before the crown can be made). Trillium follows the current Ontario Dental Association Suggested Fee Guide for crown procedures, and we provide a written estimate at the planning visit so you know the cost before treatment starts.
Most private dental insurance plans cover a portion of crown cost, often 50 to 60 percent under major restorative services, subject to your annual maximum. CDCP includes crown coverage within its annual benefits framework. We submit a pre-determination to your insurer before starting treatment so you know your share in advance, and we can discuss payment timing options for the out-of-pocket portion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does getting a crown hurt?
The procedure itself is done under local anaesthetic, so you do not feel pain during preparation or fitting. Mild gum tenderness for a day or two after each visit is normal. Pain that lingers, sharpens, or appears when biting after the permanent crown is placed warrants a call — usually it is a small bite adjustment that fixes it.
How long does the whole process take?
Two visits about two to three weeks apart is the standard, with each visit lasting around one to one and a half hours. Same-day crowns using in-office milling are available in some offices but require specific equipment; we will discuss what we offer at your consultation.
Will my crown look like a natural tooth?
Modern porcelain and zirconia crowns are shade-matched to your surrounding teeth and shaped to look like the original tooth. For front teeth, the lab work focuses heavily on translucency and surface character so the crown blends in. For back teeth where appearance matters less, durability is prioritized.
What if my crown comes off?
If a crown comes off, save it in a safe container and call the office promptly. In many cases the same crown can be re-cemented if the underlying tooth is intact. Do not try to glue it back yourself — household adhesives are not safe and can damage the tooth or the crown.
Can I get a cavity under my crown?
Yes, at the margin where the crown meets the natural tooth. This is why daily flossing around the crown and regular dental cleanings matter. A small cavity caught early can be addressed; a deep one that has undermined the crown means the crown needs to be removed, the decay treated, and a new crown placed.
Why does my dentist suggest a crown instead of a large filling?
When a tooth has lost more than about a third of its structure, a filling that big is at high risk of cracking the remaining tooth under chewing forces. A crown wraps the entire tooth and distributes force across the full surface, which protects the underlying tooth from fracture and gives a much more reliable long-term result.