Tooth Restoration
When Is a Dental Crown Needed,
and How Long Does It
Last in Calgary?
A porcelain crown caps the entire visible portion of a damaged, decayed, or weakened tooth, restoring its full shape, strength, and function. Modern all-ceramic and zirconia crowns are indistinguishable from natural teeth — providing a beautiful, metal-free restoration that withstands the forces of daily chewing. Crowns are most commonly placed after root canal treatment, on fractured teeth, or to anchor a dental bridge.
Step by Step
What Are the Steps of Getting a
Porcelain Crown at Royal Oak Smiles?
Tooth Preparation
The damaged or weakened tooth is reshaped to create space for the crown. A precise impression records the exact dimensions needed for fabrication.
Temporary Crown
A temporary crown protects the prepared tooth and maintains aesthetics and function while your custom permanent crown is crafted in the lab.
Crown Fabrication
A specialist laboratory mills your crown from high-strength zirconia or ceramic, matching its colour, translucency, and shape to adjacent teeth.
Final Cementation
The permanent crown is checked for fit and bite, then cemented into place with a strong, permanent adhesive — restoring full tooth strength and function.
Performed by Dr. Muhammad Hamdan, DMD — Restorative & Cosmetic Dentist at Royal Oak Smiles. Call to book →
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
About Porcelain Crowns in Calgary
Properly fitted porcelain crowns at Royal Oak Smiles typically last 10 to 20 years. Longevity depends on oral hygiene, diet, and whether the patient grinds their teeth. Patients who grind at night are advised to wear a custom night guard to protect the crown. With good care, many crowns last well beyond 15 years.
The crown preparation procedure is performed under local anaesthesia, so there is no pain during the appointment. Some sensitivity is normal in the first few days after preparation, particularly to temperature and pressure. A temporary crown protects the tooth between appointments. The final crown cementation appointment is typically painless.
A porcelain crown at Royal Oak Smiles typically takes two appointments over 2 to 3 weeks. The first appointment covers tooth preparation, impressions, and placement of a temporary crown. The second appointment — when the permanent crown arrives from the lab — involves fitting and final cementation. The entire process from start to finish is usually complete within 3 weeks.
A dental crown is typically recommended after a root canal (to protect the restored tooth), for a tooth with a large filling that lacks sufficient remaining structure, for a cracked or fractured tooth, or as the final restoration on a dental implant. Dr. Muhammad Hamdan will recommend a crown only when it is genuinely the best long-term option for the tooth — and explain why at your consultation.
Most Alberta dental insurance plans cover a portion of crown costs when the crown is medically necessary (for example, following a root canal or to restore a severely damaged tooth). Royal Oak Smiles direct-bills Sun Life, Manulife, Canada Life, Green Shield Canada, Pacific Blue Cross, Desjardins, Empire Life, and Equitable Life. Pre-authorization is submitted on your behalf before treatment begins.