Quick Answer

What is a dental crown and how long does it last?

A dental crown is a custom-made cap that covers a damaged tooth to restore its strength, shape, and appearance. Crowns are used after large cavities, cracks, root canals, or to anchor bridges. Well-made and well-cared-for crowns typically last 10-15 years and often longer.

At Chemung Family Dental in Elmira, NY, most crowns are made in a single visit using CEREC same-day technology - no goopy impressions, no two-week wait, no temporary crown. Call (607) 734-2045 or request a consultation.

Dental Crowns in Elmira, New York

A dental crown encases a damaged tooth to protect it and restore function. Crowns are used after large cavities, fractures or root canals, and they can also anchor dental bridges. We prepare the tooth, take impressions and place a temporary crown while the permanent one is fabricated. Once seated, the crown looks and feels like a natural tooth and can last many years with proper care.

Quick Answer

Benefits of Dental Crowns:

Dental crowns restore your tooth’s structure and appearance while protecting it for the long term.

Dental Crown Procedure

Crowns restore damaged teeth and require careful preparation. We remove any decay or weak areas and shape the tooth so the crown can fit securely. Digital impressions ensure a precise model for fabricating your custom crown. A temporary crown protects the tooth while the permanent one is made. At your return visit, we remove the temporary, check the fit and color of the final crown, adjust your bite and cement it in place.

Preparation: Remove decayed or weak areas, shape the tooth and take digital impressions.
Temporary Crown: Place a temporary crown to protect the tooth while the permanent crown is fabricated.
Final Placement: Cement the custom crown, adjust the bite and polish for a natural look.

Overview

During the crown procedure, we remove decay and shape the tooth to support the crown. Digital impressions capture a precise model, which is sent to a lab to fabricate your crown. We fit a temporary crown to protect the tooth while the permanent one is made. At your next appointment, we remove the temporary, check the fit and color of the final crown and cement it in place. Crowns can be made of porcelain fused to metal, all‑ceramic or zirconia. We recommend the material based on the tooth’s location, your bite and aesthetic priorities. Crowns restore the tooth’s strength, prevent further damage and can dramatically improve appearance.

Who This Helps

Dental crowns are ideal for patients with large fillings, cracks, worn teeth or after root canal therapy. They also serve as anchors for bridges or cover dental implants. Candidates should have healthy gums and enough remaining tooth structure to support a crown. We’ll evaluate your tooth and recommend the best restorative solution, which might be a crown, onlay or other treatment.

Protect Your Damaged Tooth with a Custom Crown

Protect your damaged or weakened tooth with a custom dental crown from Chemung Family Dental. Our Elmira team uses advanced materials to restore strength and appearance in just two visits. Contact us today to schedule an evaluation and learn how a crown can preserve your smile for years to come.

Local Relevance: Elmira residents enjoy active lifestyles, but accidents or decay can compromise teeth. Dental crowns allow you to eat, speak and smile confidently, whether you’re at a backyard barbecue or running errands downtown. Our personalized approach ensures your crown looks and feels just right for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do dental crowns last? With good care, crowns can last 10–15 years or more.

Is the crown procedure painful? We numb the area, so you should only feel minor pressure. Mild soreness afterward is normal.

Are there alternatives to crowns? Sometimes inlays, onlays or fillings may suffice; we’ll explain your options.

Can crowns be whitened? No. Choose your shade at placement, and keep the crown bright by maintaining your natural teeth.

Do crowns require special care? Brush and floss normally; pay attention to the gumline around the crown to prevent decay or inflammation.

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Same-Day CEREC Crowns vs. Traditional Lab Crowns

Most patients qualify for same-day CEREC crowns. Here’s the practical difference:

CEREC same-day (most cases)

Full crown designed, milled, and bonded in a single appointment (usually 90-120 minutes)
Digital 3D scan - no impression trays, no gag reflex
No temporary crown to pop off between visits
Ceramic material color-matched to your natural teeth
Cost typically comparable to lab-fabricated crowns

Traditional lab-fabricated crown (specific cases)

Two appointments about two weeks apart
Temporary crown worn between visits
May be preferred for very complex esthetic cases or specific material choices

Dr. Richard B. Dunn, DDS, FACD discusses which option is right for your specific tooth at your consultation. Same-day is not always the best option - honest guidance matters more than the fastest option.

When You Need a Dental Crown

Crowns are used to save a tooth that cannot be restored with a filling alone. Common reasons:

Large cavity too extensive for a filling
Cracked, fractured, or worn tooth
After a root canal - to protect the treated tooth from future fracture
Broken cusp or lost tooth structure
To support a dental bridge or cover a dental implant
To improve the appearance of a discolored or misshapen tooth

What to Expect During Your Crown Appointment

Local anesthesia - the tooth is fully numbed before we begin
Tooth preparation - decay is removed and the tooth is shaped to receive the crown
Digital scan - a small camera captures a 3D image of the tooth (no impression trays)
Design - we design your crown chairside using CAD software
Milling - the crown is milled from a ceramic block in our office (about 15-20 minutes)
Fitting and bonding - we check the fit, adjust the bite, and permanently bond the crown

Cost, Insurance, and Financing

Dental crown costs vary by material, tooth location, and case complexity. Most dental insurance plans cover a portion of crown treatment when the crown is medically necessary (large decay, fracture, post-root canal). We’ll verify your specific coverage and provide a written estimate before treatment begins.

For out-of-pocket portions, we accept Cherry and CareCredit for monthly financing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Crowns

How long do dental crowns last?

Most well-made crowns last 10-15 years with regular oral hygiene and dental checkups. Many last significantly longer. Ceramic and porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are both highly durable when cared for properly.

Does getting a crown hurt?

No. The tooth is fully numbed with local anesthesia before we start. Most patients report mild soreness or sensitivity for a day or two after the crown is placed, which resolves on its own. Over-the-counter pain relievers usually cover it if needed.

Will insurance cover my crown?

Most dental insurance plans cover a portion (typically 50%) of crown treatment when the crown is medically necessary - for example, after a root canal or on a badly decayed tooth. Coverage varies significantly by plan. We verify benefits before treatment and provide a written estimate.

What is CEREC and why do you use it?

CEREC is a chairside CAD/CAM system that lets us design, mill, and bond a ceramic crown in one appointment. It uses a digital scanner instead of impression trays, mills the crown from a ceramic block in our office, and eliminates the two-week wait and temporary crown that traditional lab-fabricated crowns require.

Should I get a crown or an implant?

A crown restores an existing damaged tooth; a dental implant replaces a missing tooth. If the tooth root is healthy and salvageable, a crown is usually the better option because it preserves your natural tooth. If the tooth is beyond saving, extraction and implant may be recommended. Dr. Dunn will walk through both options honestly.

How should I care for my new crown?

Brush and floss normally. Avoid chewing very hard foods (ice, uncooked popcorn kernels) on the crowned tooth. See us for regular cleanings and exams - we monitor the crown’s fit and the gum health around it at every visit.