Is the Crown Procedure Painful?

A dentist may recommend a crown if you have a tooth that is broken or damaged as a result of decay or effects of previous treatments. When the crown procedure is complete, your teeth become stronger and more attractive—but is the crown procedure painful?

The procedure for receiving a dental crown does not usually cause discomfort thanks to the use of local anesthesia. To further reduce discomfort, water is used together with high-speed instruments during preparation, and a temporary crown is placed on the prepared tooth while the final crown is crafted.

Proper oral hygiene and regular dental checkups may also help minimize the risk of pain associated with dental crowns. Let’s take a more in-depth look at the issue of dental crowns and pain.

Is There Discomfort Associated with Getting a Dental Crown?

Numbing of the tooth being restored is usually the first step in placing a dental crown. This is to ensure that the process of preparing the tooth for the crown is as painless and as comfortable as possible. The numbing involves injecting the gums with lidocaine or another local anesthesia.

It’s worth noting, however, that getting a dental crown involves a number of steps, any of which may cause pain or discomfort. Here are some examples:

• Building the foundation for the crown may be an uncomfortable process
• If you need a root canal before you get the crown fitted, you may experience pain if you’re not anesthetized or if you don’t have painkillers to help.
• Taking impressions for the creation of the crown, as well as fitting the temporary and permanent crowns, may also cause some discomfort.

Nonetheless, your dentist will always try his best to ensure a dental crown procedure is as comfortable as possible. Once the procedure is complete and the anesthetic has worn off, you may experience some sensitivity with the temporary crown or a little soreness in the gums around the affected tooth. Fortunately, this discomfort is very minimal and typically doesn’t last long.

Pain After the Dental Crown Procedure

Sometimes you’ll experience pain long after the dental crown is placed, and the area has healed completely. When that happens, you should treat it as an emergency and contact your dentist as soon as possible. Ongoing pain after a crown procedure is generally caused by any of the following:

• Tooth misalignment, especially if you are struggling with tooth grinding or bruxism
• Never damage – often caused by excessive pressure of the crown
• Growth and accumulation of bacteria

When you visit your dentist for an urgent appointment, the first thing your dentist will typically do is to check if you’re suffering from bruxism, which normally occurs at night. Signs of teeth grinding may include pain when you wake up, tight jaw muscles, and swelling.

To help avoid complications after getting a crown, it is important to continue following a strict oral hygiene routine, which includes regular brushing and flossing as well as regular dental visits for checkups and professional cleaning.

In Summary

The dental crown procedure is effective in restoring the function of a damaged or cracked tooth that has been worn down significantly. Many people are apprehensive of undergoing the procedure because they believe it may be painful. The truth is that dental crown patients are numbed before the procedure to ensure it is as pain-free and as comfortable and possible.

However, a few days after the procedure, when the anesthesia wears off, you may experience some discomfort that shouldn’t last for long. If you experience anything unusual with your crown, you should contact your dentist immediately for a comprehensive examination. You should also uphold proper oral hygiene.