Dental Crowns Upper East Side, NYC

Treat it like a natural tooth — brush twice daily, floss carefully around the crown margin, and attend regular professional cleanings. Avoid chewing on very hard foods such as ice or hard candy, which can fracture even a strong crown. If you grind your teeth at night, a custom nightguard will protect both the crown and surrounding dentition. For tips on protecting natural tooth structure long-term, see our guide on biomimetic dentistry for aging teeth.

Most crowns require two visits. The first involves tooth preparation, impressions or digital scanning, and placement of a temporary crown. The permanent crown is fitted and cemented at the second visit, typically one to two weeks later. Our step-by-step crown procedure walks through what to expect at each stage.

The most common options are porcelain, all-ceramic, porcelain-fused-to-metal, gold alloy, and base metal alloys. Porcelain and all-ceramic crowns offer the most natural appearance and are ideal for visible teeth. Porcelain-fused-to-metal combines a natural look with added strength. Gold and base metal alloys are exceptionally durable and well-suited for back teeth where aesthetics are less of a priority. Dr. Lazare will recommend the most appropriate material based on the tooth's location, your bite, and your aesthetic goals.

The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, so you should feel no pain during preparation or placement. Some patients experience mild sensitivity or slight soreness in the days following treatment — particularly around the gumline — but this typically resolves quickly. If sensitivity persists beyond a week, contact the practice.

With proper care, most crowns last between 10 and 15 years — and many last considerably longer. Longevity depends on the material used, the quality of the original placement, your oral hygiene habits, and whether you grind or clench your teeth. Patients who attend regular check-ups and maintain good home care routinely get 15–20 years from a well-placed crown.

A dental crown is a custom-made cap that fits over the entire visible portion of a tooth, restoring its shape, strength, and appearance. You may need one if a tooth has severe decay, a significant crack, has recently undergone root canal therapy, or needs to support a dental bridge. Crowns are also used to complete dental implants and, in some cases, for cosmetic correction of severely damaged teeth. To learn more, visit our dental crowns page.