Does the tooth really need a crown?
The whole tooth is covered only when so little wall remains that it can't take chewing force. This is what to look at before the question “Can't you bond it on the same day you take the impression?” Not every broken tooth needs a crown; if the area is small, only part of it is restored with composite resin or an inlay. I use X-rays and an oral exam to look at the depth of the cavity, cracks, the nerve, and the remaining tooth structure, and if it doesn't need a crown, I don't schedule a day to grind it.
What are the steps of crown treatment?
| Step | What's done |
|---|---|
| Visit 1 | After anesthesia, removing decay and weak walls, shaping the tooth for the crown, taking an impression (impression material or scanner), matching the color to neighboring teeth for front teeth, placing a temporary tooth |
| Lab time | Usually about a week; the crown is made at the dental lab |
| Visit 2 | Checking and adjusting the margins, contact with neighboring teeth, bite height, and color, then bonding |
Even on the bonding day, the finished crown isn't bonded right away. If the height is off, force concentrates on one tooth, so I check the point that touches first when the upper and lower teeth bite together, adjust it, and then bond.
Can't it be bonded on the same day the impression is taken?
A standard crown needs time at the dental lab to get its shape right. In the meantime, a temporary tooth is placed so the ground surface doesn't become sensitive or break. Brinate, which is placed without grinding, has no surface to cover, so there's no temporary tooth, but a crown is different.
A temporary tooth is bonded less strongly than the final crown. Eat sticky foods like caramel and gum, and hard foods like ice and nuts, on the other side. If it's uncomfortable because the height doesn't fit, don't put up with it; get it adjusted before then.
For front teeth, matching the color to the neighboring teeth adds a step, so there may be a day to try it in and check before it's finished. For molars, the time goes into matching the height and contacts rather than the color.
When does crown treatment take more visits?
| Added treatment | Additional step |
|---|---|
| A cavity that has reached the nerve | Days to clean the root canals are added at the start |
| A tooth without enough wall | The impression is taken after building it up with a core (post) |
| A tooth with swollen, bleeding gums | The gums are settled down first |
| A tooth with a large crack or pain under the temporary tooth | It's observed once more before the final crown is bonded |
The number of root canal visits depends on whether the canals become clean (How many visits does root canal treatment take?), and the crown follows after that, so the whole process can take a few weeks. Finishing quickly isn't the answer. If necessary steps are skipped, pain remains after bonding.
Care after the crown is also part of the timeline. If chewing is uncomfortable within a week or two after bonding, the height is adjusted again, and after that the margins and gums are checked at regular checkups.
How we do it at Wonjin Dental
I don't skip the temporary tooth to shorten the schedule, and I don't send you home with a ground tooth exposed. The remaining walls and the nerve come first, and the timeline comes after. The material is chosen based on the position and chewing force (How to choose between zirconia and all-ceramic crowns).
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Front tooth ceramic / zirconia crown | ₩800,000 / ₩700,000 |
| Back tooth zirconia / gold crown | ₩500,000 / ₩800,000 |
| Resin core / post | ₩100,000 / ₩150,000 |
As of September 2026, VAT included (cosmetic treatment). All items are on the full fee list.
Frequently asked questions
Can I eat right after the crown is bonded?
I usually recommend waiting about 30 minutes to 1 hour before eating so the cement can set fully, and chewing on the other side that day. If the anesthesia hasn't worn off, you could bite your cheek or tongue, so eat after it wears off.
What if the tooth is sensitive or hurts after the crown is placed?
Mild sensitivity for a few days is common. If that tooth touches first when you bite or the pain continues, the height needs to be checked again, so let us know.
How long does a crown last?
It depends on care and chewing habits, but it's generally said to last about 10–15 years. If a cavity forms at the margin or the gums recede, it's remade.
What if the temporary tooth comes off while I'm waiting for the crown?
Don't throw it away; keep it and contact us as soon as possible. If the ground surface is exposed for a long time, it can become sensitive and the neighboring teeth can move so the final crown won't fit, so we bond it back on.
