The last thing you want to hear at your routine checkup is that you need a dental crown. If you’ve never gotten one before, you might find the unfamiliar process a bit daunting at first. Lucky for you, it’s a standard and safe procedure that can help restore your smile to its natural beauty. Since crowns are fairly large restorations, are you worried the procedure will hurt? Most patients share the same concern, but the process is much more comfortable than you might think! Here’s what you can expect.
Why Do Dentists Recommend Dental Crowns?
Dentists usually recommend dental crowns for patients with severely damaged or decayed teeth. A crown is a custom-made cap used to restore the size, shape, and structure of a tooth. It’s often the best treatment option when a tooth’s structure is compromised, protecting it against further breakdown.
The Dental Crown Procedure
In most cases, the dental crown procedure is completed over the course of two appointments. Here’s what you can expect during each visit.
Preparation Visit
At your first appointment, your dentist will examine the damaged or decayed tooth and prepare it for the crown. This visit takes longer than the second one because it involves numbing the tooth, filing down the enamel, removing damaged areas, and taking an impression for the lab. Since your tooth will be completely numb with a local anesthetic, you won’t feel a thing during its preparation. Before you leave the clinic, your dentist will provide you with a temporary crown to protect your tooth in between visits.
Final Placement
Once your dentist receives the permanent crown, you will return to the clinic and have it cemented in place. Of course, they’ll check the color, shape, and fit beforehand to ensure no adjustments are necessary. Although the final placement should not cause you pain, your dentist can use a numbing agent to ensure you’re as comfortable as possible.
What to Expect During Recovery
Because your tooth requires minimal preparation for a dental crown, it’s common to experience tenderness and slight sensitivity in that area for a few weeks following the procedure. But the good news is that the recovery process is relatively short! As long as you follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions, your discomfort should resolve within just a few days. If necessary, you can take over-the-counter pain medication for relief from your symptoms.
What Happens If You Choose Not to Get a Dental Crown?
If your dentist said you needed a dental crown, it’s a good idea to get it done as soon as you can. Otherwise, you risk exposing your damaged or decayed tooth to harmful bacteria, causing further damage, and developing sores and irritation in your mouth. Additionally, you increase your chances of needing more complex and costly procedures down the line (i.e., root canal or extraction).
A dental crown procedure may sound frightening, but it certainly doesn’t have to be that way. With the right dentist, your treatment will be much more comfortable than you think!
About the Practice
At NeoSmile Dental Care, we provide exceptional, state-of-the-art, individually tailored dental services the entire family can enjoy – all at one convenient location. Our goal is to help patients of all ages obtain their happiest, healthiest smiles. Do you need a dental crown? We use the latest technologies, materials, and techniques during our dental crown procedure to ensure you receive the best treatment possible. Visit our website or call (215) 643-5220 to make an appointment.
