In most cases, getting a dental crown is a two-visit process spread over 1 to 2 weeks. This timeline allows for the precise customization and fabrication of your permanent crown, ensuring the best possible fit, function, and appearance.

Visit 1: Tooth Preparation & Temporary Crown

During your first appointment at Point Meadows Dentistry, the tooth is:

• Numbed with local anesthesia for your comfort

• Carefully shaped to make room for the crown

• Impressions or digital scans are taken and sent to a dental lab

• A temporary crown is placed to protect the tooth while the permanent one is being created

This visit typically lasts 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the complexity of your case and whether you're receiving a crown on a front or back tooth.

Visit 2: Crown Placement

Once your custom crown is ready—usually within 1 to 2 weeks—you’ll return for your second appointment. At this visit, we will:

• Remove the temporary crown

• Check the fit, shape, and color of your new crown

• Make any needed adjustments

• Bond the permanent crown securely in place using a strong dental adhesive

This second visit is usually shorter, taking about 30 to 60 minutes.

Same-Day Crowns: Are They Available?

In some practices, same-day dental crowns can be created and placed in a single visit using advanced in-office milling technology (such as CEREC®). While this option is not currently available at all locations, we can discuss whether you’re a candidate for faster turnaround solutions or expedited lab processing.

What to Expect Between Visits

While wearing your temporary crown, it's important to:

• Avoid very hard or sticky foods

• Be gentle when flossing or brushing around the area

• Contact us if it becomes loose or uncomfortable

We’ll provide clear care instructions to ensure your tooth remains protected until your permanent crown is placed.

A dental crown is a custom-made cap placed over a damaged or weakened tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance. You may need a crown if your tooth is cracked, has a large filling, has undergone a root canal, or is severely worn down. Crowns also serve cosmetic purposes by covering discolored or misshapen teeth.

With proper care, dental crowns typically last between 10 to 15 years, and in many cases, they can last 20 years or more. Their longevity depends on several important factors, including the type of material used, your oral hygiene habits, and daily wear and tear.

Material matters:

• Porcelain crowns offer excellent aesthetics and are ideal for front teeth, but they may wear down faster in patients who grind their teeth.

• Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns offer a good balance of strength and appearance and are more resistant to cracking.

• Gold crowns are the most durable and can last decades, making them a great choice for back molars where function is more important than appearance.

Patient habits also play a key role. Crowns are incredibly strong, but they’re not indestructible. If you grind or clench your teeth (a condition known as bruxism), chew on ice or hard objects, or neglect regular dental care, your crown may wear out or become damaged more quickly. In these cases, we may recommend a custom nightguard to protect your teeth and crown while you sleep.

Good oral hygiene is essential for extending the life of your crown. Brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and scheduling regular dental cleanings help prevent decay at the base of the crown and keep surrounding teeth and gums healthy. Even though the crown itself is resistant to decay, the tooth underneath still requires care.

At Point Meadows Dentistry in Jacksonville, we’ll monitor your crown during each checkup to ensure it remains functional and esthetically pleasing. If any issues arise—such as wear, looseness, or damage—we’ll address them early to help you avoid more complex procedures.

Not at all. Getting a dental crown is a routine procedure and is generally painless and very well-tolerated by patients. At Point Meadows Dentistry, we take every step to ensure your comfort from start to finish.

The crown procedure is performed under local anesthesia, which completely numbs the area being treated. You won’t feel any pain during the tooth preparation, impressions, or crown placement. Most patients report that the experience is no more uncomfortable than getting a filling.

After your appointment, it’s normal to feel mild sensitivity or soreness in the gums or surrounding tissue, especially around the temporary crown. This sensitivity typically resolves within a few days and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers if needed. Once your permanent crown is placed, any lingering sensitivity should quickly disappear.

For patients with dental anxiety or those who are especially nervous, we offer gentle techniques and a supportive environment to help you feel relaxed and at ease. We’ll also take the time to answer your questions and explain what to expect during each step of the process.

Our patients are often surprised by how comfortable and smooth the experience is—and even more pleased with how natural their crown looks and feels once complete. If you have concerns about discomfort or want to learn more about sedation options, just let our team know. We’re here to make your visit as easy and stress-free as possible.

A crown is a prosthetic treatment for a broken or badly decayed tooth. A “cap” is an older term and is now commonly used to refer to dental crowns.

• Your dental crown is old. Dental crowns can last for more than fifteen years before seeing any damage.

• Wear and tear

• Pain or swelling around the tooth

• Receding gum line

Simply, sometimes crowns fall off. Most often the reason is from the decay of the underlying tooth or loosening of the cementing material used to place the crown. If your crown comes off, clean the crown and the front of the tooth. Contact Point Meadows Dentistry immediately, we will give you specific instructions on how to care for the tooth and crown for the day or so until you can be seen for an evaluation. We may be able to re-cement the crown in place; if not, a new crown will need to be made.

In most cases, yes—many dental insurance plans cover a portion of the cost of a dental crown, particularly when the procedure is considered medically necessary. This includes crowns placed to restore a tooth after a root canal, to repair a tooth with extensive decay, or to address structural damage such as cracks or fractures.

Coverage amounts can vary widely depending on:

• The insurance provider and your specific plan

• Whether the crown is being placed for restorative vs. cosmetic reasons

• The type of material used (e.g., porcelain vs. gold)

• Your plan’s annual maximums, deductibles, and co-pays

For example, if a crown is recommended to strengthen a weakened molar or protect a tooth after a root canal, most insurance plans will cover 50% to 80% of the cost, after your deductible is met. However, if the crown is requested purely for cosmetic improvement (such as enhancing the appearance of a stained or misshapen tooth), it may not be fully covered.

At Point Meadows Dentistry in Jacksonville, FL, our knowledgeable team is happy to verify your dental insurance benefits before treatment begins. We’ll provide a clear explanation of what your plan covers, what your estimated out-of-pocket cost will be, and help you navigate any paperwork or pre-approvals if needed.

We’re also proud to accept a wide range of insurance providers, including:

• Cigna

• MetLife

• UnitedHealthcare

• Florida Blue

• Guardian

• GEHA

• Humana

• Principal

• Sun Life

• And many others -- this list is also always changing, please call us for an up to date list.

No insurance? Don’t worry—we offer flexible payment options to help make your dental care more affordable. Our goal is to make your path to a healthier, stronger smile as simple and stress-free as possible.

If you have questions about your coverage or would like us to check your benefits, give us a call at (904) 373-4777—we’re here to help!