With good home care and regular cleanings, a well made crown lasts fifteen years or more. Some last significantly longer. The gum line around the crown and the tooth underneath still need brushing and flossing daily. Dr. Shah checks every crown at each visit to catch early wear before it becomes a problem.

The preparation visit uses local anesthesia, so the tooth is numb while Dr. Shah shapes it. You may feel pressure but not pain. A temporary crown goes on the same day to protect the tooth while the permanent one is made. Some sensitivity around the temporary is normal and fades once the permanent crown is placed.

Most crowns take two visits. The first is for preparation, impressions or scanning, and placing the temporary. The second is for bonding the permanent crown once the lab returns it, typically one to two weeks later. Dr. Shah checks the fit, the bite, and the shade before cementing it in place.

The crown itself cannot decay, but the tooth underneath and the margin where the crown meets the gum line can. Brushing, flossing, and keeping up with cleanings matter just as much on a crowned tooth as on a natural one. That is why we check every crown at routine visits.

Yes. Porcelain crowns are shade matched and shaped to blend with the surrounding teeth. Most people cannot tell which tooth has a crown from a normal conversation distance. Dr. Shah pays close attention to shape and translucency so the finished result looks like it belongs in your mouth.