You are leaving your dentist’s office after learning you need a dental crown to safeguard a decayed tooth. While the idea of receiving restorative treatment isn’t what you anticipated, you settle for the realization that this solution will help to improve your smile. But what will happen after this custom restoration is put into place? If you want to know what to expect after receiving a dental crown, read on.
Will I Be in Pain After Receiving a Dental Crown?
The process of receiving a dental crown should leave you pain-free throughout the procedure simply because you’ll be provided local anesthesia. This helps to numb a particular area of your mouth while the dentist prepares the tooth. However, you can expect there to be some discomfort once the anesthesia wears off. Fortunately, this can be remedied with a cold compress and/or over-the-counter pain relievers.
After the placement of your crown, though, it’s not unusual to experience some mild sensitivity and soft tissue tenderness. Using saltwater rinses and over-the-counter medications can help to encourage faster healing and minimize discomfort.
What Should I Avoid After Receiving a Dental Crown?
Once your dental crown is put into place, you’ll need to be careful about a few things to ensure that you do not cause any damage to your new tooth or make any discomfort worse. You should:
- Contact your dentist’s office if you experience persistent pain that doesn’t dissipate after a few days
- Avoid eating hard, crunchy foods for the first few days
- Stay away from solid foods immediately after your placement procedure
- Be careful while flossing, as you don’t want the material to dislodge the restoration
- Make sure to chew foods on the other side of your mouth so that the dental cement has time to set
On the other hand, you’ll want to make sure you’re practicing good oral hygiene after dental crown placement, as you want to avoid the chance of any bacteria or plaque accumulating underneath your new tooth.
Brushing and flossing are essential, but you’ll need to be careful as you maneuver around the area with your toothbrush and dental floss. You don’t want to accidentally cause the crown to pop off.
Dental crowns continue to serve as one of the most beneficial forms of restorative care available, so if you learn that you need one, make sure to follow your dentist’s instructions to ensure that your new tooth remains in place for as long as possible.
About the Author
Dr. Milad Rabban has more than a decade of experience in dentistry and is a trusted dental expert in Clinton Township, MI. Completing her Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Detroit Mercy, she went on to receive advanced training in implant dentistry from the Dominican Training Institute. At Clinton Township Family Dental, she and her team offer restorative services to patients with decayed or damaged teeth. If you learn you need a dental crown to safeguard your smile, contact us at (586) 416-1444.