Dental Crown Jitters: Does It Hurt to Get One?

Many people worry about anticipated pain when it comes to their oral healthcare treatments. You may feel anxious about it yourself, especially during procedures like a dental crown. While they are beneficial at restoring your smile, the discomfort may be something that you can’t stop thinking about. Thankfully, your dentist is here to make getting one of these tooth caps as easy as possible. Here’s what you can expect when it comes to it hurting or not.

What Can I Expect When Getting a Crown?

Getting a crown starts by preparing your tooth. Your dentist will need to remove enamel on all sides of the dental structure. This can sound like it’ll be painful, but you will be thoroughly numbed beforehand. Patients often say they don’t experience discomfort, but pressure instead. If you are especially worried, then you can get sedation dentistry to help you relax.

Once that part is done, you will have impressions taken, and those will be sent to a dental lab. Here, a skilled artisan will craft your restoration out of a high-quality material. It’ll get colored and shaped to fit and blend seamlessly with your grin. This process takes a couple of weeks, so you will have a temporary crown placed in the meantime.

Will I Be in Pain After My Procedure?

Since you will be numbed (and given conscious sedation if elected), you likely won’t feel much of anything immediately after your treatment. However, once the effects go away, then you may notice some minor sensitivity and discomfort. This is entirely normal, and it should dissipate more and more each day. You’ll likely experience this after placement of the temporary and final crown, so here are some tips to help you find relief:

• Swish warm salt water
• Avoid hot, cold, sticky, and hard foods for a while
• Take over-the-counter medication
• Clean your crown with a soft-bristle toothbrush

Should I Call My Dentist About Any Pain?

Although some discomfort is expected, there are a couple of instances where it can be indicative of something going awry. You should call your dentist if the pain is worsening or lingering without getting better. If you notice any signs of infection (such as redness or swelling) or have trouble biting and chewing, then you should have your restoration checked.

They will be able to make sure everything is fitting just right. If not, then you can get it fixed and get the relief you deserve. That way, you can get to fully enjoy a smile that’s problem-free and comfortable.

About the Author

Dr. Xinxing Liu earned her dental degree from Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine. She is happy to help the Dallas community throughout their oral healthcare journey, especially when it comes to fixing a tooth. By offering crowns to restore severe damage or decay, you can trust that your results look natural while letting you feel your best. If you want to know how Dr. Liu can make this procedure easier for you, schedule an appointment or call her office at (469) 210-7223.