Why You Need a Temporary Crown Before the Permanent One
A dental crown requires reshaping the tooth to create room for the restoration. Once your dentist or prosthodontist prepares (files down) the tooth, it needs protection. A temporary crown covers the prepared tooth while a dental laboratory custom-makes your permanent crown from impressions or digital scans taken during that same appointment.
The temporary crown serves several purposes. It shields the prepared tooth from sensitivity and bacteria, prevents the surrounding teeth from shifting into the open space, and maintains your ability to chew and speak normally. It also gives you a preview of how the final crown will feel in your bite.
How Temporary and Permanent Crown Materials Differ
The materials used for temporary and permanent crowns are fundamentally different. Each is designed for a specific purpose and lifespan.
Temporary Crown Materials
Temporary crowns are typically made from acrylic resin, composite resin, or stainless steel (for back teeth in some cases). These materials are quick to fabricate, either chairside by the dentist or by a lab in a short turnaround. They can be color-matched to a reasonable degree but lack the translucency and durability of permanent crown materials.
The cement used to attach a temporary crown is intentionally weak. This allows your dentist to remove the temporary easily at your follow-up appointment without damaging the prepared tooth underneath.
Permanent Crown Materials
Permanent crowns are made from materials chosen for strength, aesthetics, and longevity. The most common options include porcelain fused to metal (PFM), all-ceramic or all-porcelain, zirconia, and gold or metal alloys. Porcelain and ceramic crowns provide the most natural appearance and are often chosen for front teeth. Zirconia offers a combination of strength and aesthetics. Gold and metal alloys are extremely durable and are sometimes preferred for back teeth.
A dental laboratory custom-fabricates the permanent crown using precise molds or digital scans of your tooth. The lab technician layers and shapes the material to match the color, contour, and translucency of your natural teeth. This process typically takes 1 to 3 weeks.
What to Expect During the Crown Process
Getting a crown is typically a two-appointment process. Knowing what happens at each visit helps you prepare.
First Appointment: Tooth Preparation and Temporary Crown
Your dentist numbs the area and reshapes the tooth by removing a layer of enamel on all sides. This creates space for the crown to fit over the tooth without feeling bulky. They then take an impression or digital scan of the prepared tooth and the surrounding teeth. This record goes to the lab for permanent crown fabrication.
The dentist makes or selects a temporary crown, adjusts it to fit your bite, and cements it in place with temporary adhesive. The appointment typically takes 45 to 90 minutes.
Second Appointment: Permanent Crown Placement
At your follow-up visit (1 to 3 weeks later), the dentist removes the temporary crown and cleans any remaining cement from the prepared tooth. They try in the permanent crown to check the fit, bite alignment, and color match. If everything looks right, the permanent crown is cemented with a strong, long-lasting dental adhesive.
Minor bite adjustments are common at this appointment. Your dentist may ask you to bite down on articulating paper (thin colored paper) to identify any high spots, then smooth them down. The visit usually takes 30 to 60 minutes.
How to Care for a Temporary Crown
A temporary crown requires extra caution because the materials are weaker and the cement is designed to be removable. Following these guidelines reduces the risk of problems during the waiting period.
Eating with a Temporary Crown
Chew on the opposite side of your mouth when possible. Avoid sticky foods like caramel, taffy, and gum, which can pull the temporary crown off. Avoid hard foods like nuts, ice, and raw carrots on the temporary side, as they can crack the softer material. Cut food into smaller pieces and chew carefully.
Brushing and Flossing Around a Temporary Crown
Brush the temporary crown gently with a soft-bristle toothbrush. When flossing, slide the floss out sideways rather than snapping it up through the contact point. Pulling floss straight up can catch the edge of the temporary crown and dislodge it. Continue to clean the area to prevent plaque buildup and gum irritation.
Common Problems with Temporary Crowns
Temporary crowns are not built to last, and minor issues during the waiting period are not unusual. Knowing what is normal and what requires a call to your dentist can save you stress.
Temporary Crown Falls Off or Comes Loose
This is the most common temporary crown problem. If the temporary comes off, keep it and contact your dental office. In most cases, they can re-cement it the same day. If you cannot get in right away, you can use a small amount of over-the-counter dental adhesive or denture cream to hold it in place temporarily. Do not leave the prepared tooth uncovered for more than a day, as the exposed tooth can shift or become sensitive.
Sensitivity to Hot or Cold
Some sensitivity after crown preparation is normal, especially to hot and cold temperatures. The nerve inside the tooth has been irritated by the reshaping process. This sensitivity usually decreases within a few days. If it worsens or becomes a sharp, lingering pain, contact your dentist, as this may indicate the nerve needs further evaluation.
Bite Feels High or Uneven
If the temporary crown feels high when you close your teeth together, contact your dentist for an adjustment. Biting on a high temporary crown can cause soreness in the tooth and jaw. A quick adjustment (usually a 10-minute visit) resolves this.
Cost of Temporary and Permanent Crowns
The cost of a temporary crown is typically included in the overall crown procedure fee. You do not usually pay separately for the temporary. The total cost for a dental crown ranges from $800 to $3,000 per tooth, depending on the material chosen, the complexity of the case, and your location. Costs vary by provider and geographic area.
Porcelain and ceramic crowns tend to cost more than metal or porcelain-fused-to-metal options. Zirconia falls in the mid-to-upper range. Same-day crowns (CEREC or similar systems that eliminate the temporary crown step) may cost slightly more due to the technology involved.
Insurance Coverage for Crowns
Most dental insurance plans classify crowns as a major procedure and cover 50% after the deductible, up to the plan's annual maximum. Many plans have a waiting period for major procedures if the policy is new. Check with your insurance provider for your specific coverage and any material restrictions, as some plans cover only certain crown types.
When to See a Prosthodontist for a Crown
General dentists place the majority of dental crowns, and for routine cases, a general dentist is a fine choice. A prosthodontist brings additional expertise for cases that are more demanding.
Consider seeing a prosthodontist if the crown is on a front tooth where color matching and aesthetics are critical, if you need multiple crowns as part of a larger restoration plan, if the tooth has very little remaining structure, or if a previous crown has failed and needs to be redone. Prosthodontists complete 3 years of advanced residency training in tooth restoration and replacement. Learn more on our [prosthodontics specialty page](/specialties/prosthodontics).
Find a Prosthodontist Near You
Every prosthodontist on My Specialty Dentist has verified specialty credentials. Search by location to find prosthodontists in your area who specialize in crowns and dental restorations, compare their experience, and schedule a consultation.
Search Prosthodontists in Your Area