When you are having dental crowns or when your dentist advises that you need them, the only thing in your mind can be whether you are in for some pain. Everyone always dreads dental procedures since they are always in the unknown. Fortunately, modern technology in the dental profession makes dental crowns procedures less painful than you can ever think about.
Getting a better idea of the process and after-effects can also relieve the fear and allow for a less stressful experience. Allow Reflections Dental Care, the best dentist in Oklahoma City to break it down step-by-step for all the things that you need to understand about dental crown pain, sensitivity, and soreness.
How Do Dental Crowns Work?
A dental crown can be defined as a specially fabricated cover that covers a weakened, damaged, or highly decayed tooth. You may think of it as the helmet for your tooth that covers its strength, size, shape, and beauty. Crowns are typically comprised of material like ceramic, porcelain, metal, or any kind of the above material.
We can also suggest a crown after a big filling in order to cover the tooth, after capping a dental implant, or after rebuilding a structurally damaged tooth. Even though the idea of a crown may frighten you, the procedure becomes exceedingly routine for our professionals.
During the Procedure
The patient’s main worry is often: are dental crowns painful? When the crowns are placed, you should experience minimal pain. You will be numbed with local anesthesia in the region near the affected tooth so that you can remain calm while the procedure is being carried out. You will likely experience some pressure or the vibrating action of the dental instruments, but this should result in no pain.
The process normally requires two visits. On the initial visit, we will treat the tooth by removing the decay and re-shaping the form in preparation for the crown. We shall take impressions for your personal crown. You will then be supplied with a temporary crown while waiting for your permanent crown’s fabrication.
You may experience some level of discomfort after the first visit when the anesthetic wears off, but this can routinely be managed with prescription strength over-the-counter pain medicine.
Following the Procedure
Once we have done your crown work, then you could feel some sensitivity or tenderness. You get this because your teeth and gums are settling into your new crown. You may feel the sensitivity at its highest peak while enjoying hot and cold food and beverages. While some people refer to this as dental pain after a crown, it’s usually mild and manageable.
The discomfort in the majority of the patients is said to be extremely minimal and settles in a couple of days to a week. You notice your bite feels odd at first, but this normally corrects itself as you become accustomed to the new crown. If your bite really feels extremely awkward and different, seek an adjustment.
Others experience minimal inflammation in the site of the crowned tooth, more if the gums were inflamed while conducting the procedure. The inflammation should settle in about a day or two.
Pain and Discomfort Management
Although most people experience some soreness after dental crowns, some effective ways to remedy it exist. You can take some over-the-counter medicine like acetaminophen or ibuprofen that can soothe the inflammation and alleviate the soreness. Take the amount indicated in the package directions or in the recommendation from us.
Gently brushing with a soft-bristle toothbrush can also forestall annoying sore spots. Skipping very hot and very cold food and beverages for some time until the sensitivity improves is also wise.
Prolonged severe pain which does not go away after a day or two needs to be reported to your dentist. Although complications are unusual, ongoing dental crown and pain issues can also be an indication of something which should be assessed.
Take Steps with Confidence
The process of teeth restoration with dental crowns is extremely safe and successful, and pain is normally minimal and temporary. Patients are surprised at how tolerable the process can be and at how quickly they can recover from it.
Talk with Reflections Dental Care if you are thinking about a dental crown. We can let you in on the personal realities about your procedure and offer personal advice for reducing any discomfort. Keep in mind, saving and restoring your tooth health is an investment in yourself and future oral health!