The temporary crown is removed and the tooth is cleaned of any temporary cement residue. The permanent crown is tried on the tooth to verify fit, contacts, and color match. Once verified, the cementation surface is treated with the appropriate bonding agents, the cement is applied, the crown is fully seated, excess cement is removed, and the bite is carefully adjusted. A final X-ray confirms complete seating and clean margins. The entire appointment takes 30 to 45 minutes.

Different crown materials bond to teeth through different mechanisms. A porcelain crown that relies on adhesive bonding for strength requires a resin cement that chemically bonds to both the etched ceramic and the prepared tooth. A zirconia crown, which is extremely strong on its own, can use a resin-modified glass ionomer that provides adequate retention without the moisture sensitivity of purely adhesive systems. Using the wrong cement can result in early debonding or, conversely, make the crown impossible to remove if retreatment is ever needed.

Most crown cementation appointments are comfortable without anesthesia, particularly for teeth that have had root canal treatment. For vital teeth with a living nerve, Dr. Ostovar administers local anesthesia if cleaning the preparation or adjusting the margins could cause sensitivity. The cementation itself is painless — you will feel pressure as the crown is seated but no sharp discomfort.

Temporary cementation uses a weak, eugenol-based cement that allows the crown to be easily removed. This is used for provisional crowns or when a definitive crown needs a trial period — common with implant crowns or complex bite cases. Permanent cementation uses a high-strength cement designed to hold the crown in place for decades. Once permanently cemented, removing the crown typically requires cutting through it with a dental bur. Dr. Ostovar determines which approach is appropriate based on the clinical situation.

A slightly high bite can occur if the numbing from anesthesia prevented you from biting naturally during the adjustment. This is easily corrected at a brief follow-up visit — Dr. Ostovar removes a tiny amount of material from the crown surface until it contacts simultaneously with the surrounding teeth. Do not ignore a high bite or assume it will settle on its own. A persistently high crown can cause tooth pain, headaches, TMJ strain, and damage to the opposing tooth.

While uncommon with proper technique, crowns can debond if the cement was contaminated during placement, if the preparation was too tapered reducing mechanical retention, or if heavy occlusal forces overwhelm the cement bond. If your crown comes off, save it, keep the exposed tooth clean, and call (503) 822-0096. In many cases the crown can be recemented. Dr. Ostovar evaluates why it failed before recementing — a crown that came off once without understanding the cause will come off again.

With most modern dental cements, you can eat normally as soon as the anesthesia wears off — typically two to four hours. Light-cured resin cements reach full strength at the time of placement. Self-cure and dual-cure cements reach maximum strength within 24 hours, during which very hard or sticky foods should be avoided on the crowned tooth. Dr. Ostovar will give you specific instructions based on the cement used.

Crowns may need recementation if the original cement bond weakened over time, if the cement washed out due to chronic moisture exposure at the margin, if the crown was subjected to extreme forces from trauma or bruxism, or if decay at the margin compromised the seal. Dr. Ostovar examines the crown and the tooth before recementing — if decay is present, it must be treated first. If the crown no longer fits due to decay or fracture, a new crown is needed.

When a crown is seated, some cement squeezes out from under the margins into the gum sulcus and between the teeth. If this excess is not completely removed, it acts as a rough foreign body that traps bacteria and irritates the gum tissue — leading to chronic inflammation, bone loss, and potentially peri-implant disease around implant crowns. Published research identified retained excess cement as a factor in over 80 percent of peri-implant mucositis cases. Dr. Ostovar removes excess cement meticulously using curettes, floss, and magnification at every cementation.

Mild sensitivity to cold and biting pressure for one to two weeks after cementation is normal, particularly on vital teeth. The tooth was prepared, exposed to temporary cement, and then permanently cemented — all of which can temporarily irritate the dental pulp. If sensitivity persists beyond two to three weeks, worsens rather than improves, or involves spontaneous pain, contact our office — this may indicate a bite issue, a marginal gap, or pulp inflammation that needs attention.

A well-made crown cemented with the correct protocol lasts 15 to 25 years on average, with many lasting longer. The most common reasons crowns eventually need replacement are recurrent decay at the margin due to inadequate hygiene, fracture of the porcelain layer, or wear of the opposing tooth. Regular dental checkups that catch margin issues early and a night guard for bruxism patients are the two most effective strategies for maximizing crown longevity.

Crown cementation is included in the overall crown procedure fee — it is not billed as a separate service. Insurance coverage for crowns varies by plan but typically ranges from 50 to 80 percent after deductible. Our insurance team verifies your benefits before treatment and submits predetermination with clinical documentation and radiographs to maximize your coverage. CareCredit and Cherry financing are available for any remaining balance. Treatment costs vary by complexity. Contact us at (503) 822-0096 for a personalized estimate with insurance benefits calculated.

Yes, provided the crown fits properly. If you had a crown prepared elsewhere and need it cemented, Dr. Ostovar will evaluate the fit, margins, and occlusion before committing to cementation. If the crown does not meet his standards for marginal integrity or fit, he will explain the issue and discuss options — which may include sending it back to the original lab for adjustment or having a new crown fabricated to the correct specifications.

Call (503) 822-0096 immediately. A temporary crown protects the prepared tooth from sensitivity, decay, and shifting of adjacent teeth. If you cannot come in right away, you can temporarily seat it with a small amount of denture adhesive or over-the-counter temporary cement from a pharmacy. Do not use superglue. Avoid chewing on that side and come in as soon as possible for recementation of the temporary.

A post-cementation periapical radiograph serves two purposes: it confirms that the crown is fully seated on the preparation without any gap between the crown margin and the tooth, and it verifies that no excess cement remains in the interproximal areas or within the gum sulcus. This radiograph becomes part of your permanent record and serves as a baseline for future comparisons — allowing us to detect any changes at the crown margin over subsequent years.