Perfectly Seamless Tooth Restoration
A dental crown is a custom-fitted “cap” placed over a tooth that’s been broken, discoloured, misshapen, or weakened by decay or root canal treatment. Designed to match the natural tone and contour of your smile, crowns offer long-lasting strength and protection—often lasting 15 years or more. They can also support dental bridges, complete dental implants, or serve cosmetic purposes to enhance your overall appearance.
What’s the Process of Getting a Dental Crown?
Getting a dental crown typically involves two visits to your dentist. Here’s what you can expect during the treatment:
Examining and Preparing the Tooth
Every crown procedure begins with a thorough dental examination. Your dentist will assess the tooth and clean the area to ensure it’s ready for restoration. If there’s significant decay or damage, it will be removed to create a stable foundation for the crown—helping prevent further deterioration and preserving the natural tooth.
Creating a Custom Crown
Once the tooth is prepared, we’ll take precise impressions using dental putty or a digital scanner. These impressions are used to create your custom crown, crafted to match the shape, colour, and bite of your natural teeth. A temporary crown will be placed to protect your tooth in the meantime. If you’re receiving a crown over a dental implant, we’ll also take impressions of the implant and surrounding teeth to ensure a perfect fit.
Placing the Permanent Crown
At your follow-up visit, the temporary crown is removed and your permanent crown is carefully fitted. It’s securely bonded in place using strong dental cement or a hidden screw. Your dentist will polish the crown and make final adjustments to ensure a comfortable bite and natural appearance.
Cost of Dental Crowns in Richmond
The cost of a dental crown can vary depending on your specific needs and coverage. For patients with dental insurance, the average out-of-pocket expense typically ranges from $200 to $600 or more. Without insurance, the total cost is often between $1,200 and $1,500+, depending on the complexity of the case.
While a crown is an investment, many patients consider it a worthwhile one—restoring strength, comfort, and function to a damaged tooth and helping prevent more serious issues down the road.
What Factors Affect the Cost of a Dental Crown? Several elements can influence the final cost of treatment:
- The type of crown and material used (e.g., porcelain, zirconia, or metal)
- The location and complexity of the procedure
- The number of crowns needed
- Whether the crown is part of a larger treatment plan (e.g., bridges or implants)
- Any specific tools, supplies, or technologies required for your case
Because every mouth is different, it’s not possible to provide an accurate estimate without an in-person assessment. We recommend booking a consultation so we can evaluate your oral health, review your options, and provide a detailed quote. If you have dental insurance, we’ll gladly prepare an estimate for pre-approval so you can understand your out-of-pocket cost in advance.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not always—it depends on the tooth’s location. Molars and premolars, which handle most of your chewing, typically need crowns after a root canal to restore strength and prevent fractures. Front teeth like incisors and canines may not need a crown if they aren’t subject to the same pressure.
Crowns are generally more durable than fillings, especially for teeth with large biting surfaces. Fillings on molars can loosen or crack under repeated pressure from chewing or grinding. A crown, which fully covers the tooth from gumline to gumline, offers greater protection and long-term resilience.
Not at all. Crowns are designed to match the shape, size, and colour of your natural teeth. With high-quality materials like porcelain or ceramic, most people can’t tell the difference.
A dental post is not the same as a dental implant. It’s a small, medical-grade rod that may be cemented into the root canal-treated tooth to provide extra support when there isn’t enough natural tooth left to hold a crown securely.
Getting a crown is similar to receiving a filling. We carefully numb the area and use local anaesthetic to keep you comfortable during the procedure. You may experience mild sensitivity or gum soreness afterward, but this usually fades quickly. If you’re nervous, let us know—we’re here to help you feel at ease.
Most dental crowns last 10 to 15 years, but with excellent care, they can last 25 years or more. Proper oral hygiene and regular checkups are key to longevity.
Treat it like a natural tooth—brush twice a day, floss daily, and keep up with your dental visits. This helps maintain both your crown and the health of the surrounding gums and supporting teeth.

