Does Getting A Crown Hurt?

11 May Does Getting A Crown Hurt?

Dental crowns (something a lot of people refer to as “caps”) are special protective restorations that cover your entire tooth. Instead of smaller fillings that go inside of areas of decay to patch up a tooth, crowns cover all remaining enamel up to the gumline. They’re almost like a shell or helmet that goes over your tooth, sealing it completely inside. But since crowns are “larger” restorations, it’s common for patients to wonder if the treatment process is uncomfortable or painful.

Do They Numb You for Permanent Dental Crowns?
As with any type of restorative or cosmetic dentistry treatment, our Dr. Durisin will completely anesthetise (numb) the tooth that we’re working on. So whether you’re getting a crown or a small filling, your tooth will be numbed. Local anaesthetic numbs the tooth and surrounding areas for at least a few hours at a time. It wears off quite gradually, so sensation typically doesn’t come back until after you’re already back at home.

To keep you as comfortable as possible, we also use a numbing jelly to desensitise the skin at the injection site prior to administering the local anaesthetic. Dental sedation is also available, should you need help relaxing a bit further.

What Does Getting A Dental Crown Procedure Feel Like?
Dr. Amy Durisin offers same-day crowns, but traditional crown treatments typically require two separate appointments: the preparation visit and the final placement. The initial prep appointment is a bit longer and detailed, as it involves numbing the tooth, reducing the thickness of the enamel (so that a crown can fit over it), removing damaged areas, and taking an impression for our lab. A shade guide is used to select the most appropriate colour of porcelain for optimal aesthetics. While your permanent crown is being handcrafted in a lab, you’ll be fitted with a temporary crown to minimise any potential sensitivity. You’ll return about two weeks later to have the permanent crown fitted and permanently bonded in place.

Don’t have time for two visits? Fortunately, same-day dental crowns are now an option! Using advanced technology and 3D CAD/CAM imaging, we can create a single visit dental crown and eliminate the two-week waiting process. CEREC crowns are made in one appointment using our in-house digital milling equipment. This state-of-the-art technology carves a custom porcelain dental crown while you wait. So instead of needing two appointments, we can complete the entire process in just one. CEREC crowns provide maximum convenience and aesthetics, reducing your time spent in an Orange County dental office.

How Long Does It Hurt After Getting A Crown?
Since your tooth is significantly adjusted during a crown treatment, it’s common to experience a bit of tenderness in that area for a couple of weeks as your dental nerve responds to the anatomical changes. However, if you’ve had a root canal on the tooth you should not experience any sort of sensitivity (as the tooth is no longer vital.) An over-the-counter pain reliever is typically more than adequate in managing mild sensitivity for the first few days. The majority of any tenderness actually doesn’t come from the crown, but rather the injection site where your local anaesthetic is administered. This minor soreness improves gradually after a couple of days.

Since dental crowns protect your damaged tooth, they ideally help you to treat tooth pain and sensitivity rather than cause it. The sooner you invest in this protective restoration, the better chances you have at saving your tooth.

Does Getting A Dental Crown Hurt After A Root Canal?
If you recently had endodontic therapy (root canal treatment) it’s extremely important to have a crown placed over your tooth at your earliest convenience. Since root canal treated teeth are no longer “alive”, their brittle enamel is more prone to advanced wear and fractures. Placing a crown over the tooth will help to protect it and won’t hurt whatsoever, as you no longer have a vital nerve inside of the root chamber.

Considering a same-day dental crown in Orange County? Contact Dr. Amy Durisin today to request a consultation!