Is a Dental Crown Procedure Painful?

A dental crown is a type of “cap” or “cover” that your dentist can put on one of your teeth. There are multiple reasons you might need one. Its main purpose is to help restore teeth back to normal size, usability and shape. It is recommended for both cosmetic and reconstructive repairs.

There are several types of dental crowns you can choose from. Make sure you talk to your dentist, and they will help you decide what type is best for you.

Dental crowns 101

Below is a list by WebMD of possible reasons someone would need a dental crown:

• To restore a broken or worn-down tooth
• To protect a weak tooth from falling apart or to hold the parts of a cracked tooth together
• To make a cosmetic modification
• To cover a dental implant
• To cover discolored or misshapen teeth
• To keep a dental bridge in place
• To cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there is not much of the tooth left

While adults are the most common patients to require this procedure, children can also benefit from dental crowns. They might require a dental crown to try to save a primary tooth that has had damage caused by decay and cannot support a filing. Crowns can also be used as a means of protecting the teeth of children who have a higher risk of tooth decay.

There are two main types of dental crowns: permanent and temporary.

Permanent crowns

Permanent crowns are often made from stainless steel, other metals such as gold or another type of alloy, an all-resin mixture, all-ceramic or porcelain fused to metal.

Temporary crowns

This type of dental crown is typically made in the dentist's office during the first visit to get the patient ready for a permanent crown. Temporary crowns are usually made of an acrylic-based or stainless steel material.

What is the procedure like?

The process for getting dental crowns is done in two steps. During the first part of this process, the dentist will examine and prep the tooth that is getting the crown. After about two to three weeks, your dentist should have the permanent crown ready to place.

The big question is this: Does the procedure hurt? The short answer is no. Before either part of the procedure, the dentist will anesthetize (numb) the tooth and the surrounding gum tissue. Once the crown is on and the anesthesia wears off, the patient will probably experience a certain level of discomfort or even sensitivity. If the pain persists, it could mean that the crown is too high on the tooth. In this case, the patient should call their dentist’s office and schedule an appointment to have this corrected.

Conclusion

Getting a dental crown should be an easy experience and in the right hands, virtually painless. To learn more about this process, contact our office today.

Request an appointment here: https://stunningsmilesoflakeforest.com or call Stunning Smiles of Lake Forest at (949) 258-7433 for an appointment in our Lake Forest office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Crowns and Dental Bridges.