Recovering From Getting a Dental Crown

If you’ve been prescribed a dental crown to repair tooth damage from a root canal, deep crack, or large cavity or area of decay, you may be wondering what recovery from this procedure looks like.      The good news is that healing from getting a dental crown is generally well tolerated. Here’s what you can expect after the treatment, and how to care for your new dental crown!

What is a Dental Crown?

A dental crown is essentially a large filling, but instead of covering a small portion of tooth like a traditional filling does, it fits over it like a cap. This allows you to continue to use the roots and structure of the healthy one and creates a restoration that looks and feels like a complete, natural tooth.

Dental crowns are not only completely usable, but they also blend in seamlessly with your smile, so nobody will know you have one. In fact, many patients forget they do!

What Happens During Dental Crown Treatment?

Dental crown treatment can be done in about two appointments. At your first visit, your dentist will take impressions of your damaged tooth. Those will be sent to the dental lab for them to create your crown with, so it looks and feels just like the tooth you are repairing. Once your impressions are made, your dentist will numb your mouth and then remove the damaged area from the injured tooth. You will be fitted with a temporary crown to use for several weeks until your new one is completed. In about two weeks, you will return to your dentist’s office, where the temporary crown will be removed, and the new one will be cemented into place. You can immediately begin using it just as you would with your real teeth and should have no dietary restrictions; however, it is recommended that you wait for 24 hours before eating anything too crunchy or chewy, just to be safe.

Healing from Dental Crowns

After your initial appointment where your dentist removes the damaged enamel, you may experience some sensitivity after the numbing wears off, however this is usually very mild and only lasts a few days. This is typically well managed with the help of over-the-counter pain relievers. In some cases, patients may have some discomfort the entire time they have their temporary crown, but it should subside once you get the permanent one.

Maintaining Your New Crown

Once your crown is in place, you should be sure to take excellent care of it, so it lasts for as long as possible. Most crowns last about 10 to 15 years with proper maintenance and usage. This means brushing twice a day, flossing once a day, and visiting the dentist twice a year for your regular biannual exam and cleaning appointments, and never using your crown for anything but food (never bite your nails with it, open packaging, or chew on objects like pen caps). Though your tooth is protected by the crown, you can still get cavities underneath it if you aren’t careful, and your crown can become cracked or chipped if you bite anything too solid with it.

Remember, a dental crown is a deluxe filling that protects larger areas of decay and damage than aren’t possible with regular fillings. If you have been prescribed this treatment, it is an excellent option to help preserve your smile and your natural teeth!

About Our Practice

At Harris Parkway Dental Care, Dr. Vasquez and Dr. Zahawi want to help you preserve your beautiful smile for as long as possible. That’s why we’re proud to offer a variety of tooth-saving treatments like dental crowns, root canals, and dental implants. Whether you need a routine cleaning and exam, or your tooth is damaged and in need of repair, we’ll always give you the royal treatment!

To schedule an appointment, please visit our website or call us today at 817-423-2223.