So let’s clear the air. A dental crown is basically a custom-made cap that covers and protects a damaged tooth. It’s like a little helmet for your tooth, keeping it safe from breaking down even more.

Maybe your tooth had a big cavity. Maybe a root canal. Maybe it cracked. Whatever the reason, a crown helps restore the shape, function, and look of that tooth—so you can chew, smile, and not worry about it falling apart.

But before you get your real crown, you usually wear a temporary one for a bit. That’s where this whole “what’s the difference?” question comes in.

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Why you get a temporary crown in the first place

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Temporary crowns are the MVPs of the “in-between” dental world.

They’re usually made of acrylic or resin and are designed to protect your tooth while your permanent crown is being custom-made at a dental lab. Think of it like a placeholder. Not fancy, but functional.

It’s there to:

• Keep the tooth covered and comfortable
• Hold the space so your other teeth don’t shift
• Let you eat (somewhat normally)
• Prevent sensitivity or pain

The key word here is temporary. These things are not built to last. They’re kind of like the training wheels while your real crown is being prepped.

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What a permanent crown does differently

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This is the real deal. The main event. The crown you’ll (hopefully) have for years.

Permanent crowns are stronger, better-looking, and made to actually function like a real tooth. You can get them in a few different materials—porcelain, ceramic, zirconia, even metal—but they’re built to last.

Once it’s placed, it should feel natural. Like it’s always been there.

Permanent crowns:

• Match your tooth colour and shape
• Fit your bite precisely
• Handle chewing, crunching, and daily life
• Are way more durable

And at our clinic, we even offer same-day permanent crowns using tech that scans your tooth and creates a custom crown while you chill. No second appointment. No temporary needed.

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How to take care of a temporary crown

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If you leave our clinic with a temp crown, here’s how to baby it until the permanent one is ready:

• Avoid sticky or chewy foods (sorry, no caramel)
• Try not to bite down hard on that side
• Floss gently—pull the floss out, don’t snap it back up
• Brush like normal but take it easy around the crown

And if it pops off? It happens. Call us. We’ll get it re-cemented until the final crown is ready.

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Need a crown? We've got you covered

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Whether you’re dealing with a cracked tooth, a deep cavity, or just figuring out your dental plan, we’re here to make the process clear, easy, and stress-free.

We offer both traditional and same-day crown options, depending on what works best for you. And we’ll always explain what’s going on, answer your questions, and never leave you guessing.

Send us a quick message. Let's get you a crown that actually feels like royalty—minus the drama.