Patients considering dental crowns may have concerns regarding the recovery period following the procedure. Fortunately, the typical recovery period is relatively quick and involves minor inconvenience. Most risks and complications resulting from the procedure are comparable to those of most dental procedures and therefore require similar precautions.
The placement of dental crowns involves two stages, each requiring its own visit. During the first visit, the dentist will examine the roots and surrounding bone tissue of the tooth receiving the crown. After ensuring the abutment tooth is healthy, the dental professional will numb and reshape it to accommodate the crown. The dentist will then make an impression of the tooth using putty, paste, or a digital scanner and send that impression to a dental lab. Because the lab needs two to three weeks to create a permanent crown based on the impression, the dentist will place a temporary crown to cover the prepared tooth in the meantime.
While wearing any temporarily placed dental crowns, patients have to take extra precautions not to break or accidentally remove them by doing the following:
While this period may be inconvenient, it is typically the hardest part of the treatment. After the permanent crown is placed, the recovery period usually takes a few days provided there are no complications.
As with many dental procedures, it is recommended for patients to avoid hard foods or hot drinks until all sensation returns to avoid accidentally biting or burning their tongue. They must also avoid sticky food for 24 hours while the crown cements to the abutment tooth. During the first few days, patients may experience post-procedure inflammation or irritation that leads to increased sensitivity or pain. Usually any pain or sensitivity can be alleviated with topical analgesics, ibuprofen, or sensitivity-reducing toothpaste.
While most patients can resume normal eating habits a few days after treatment, certain complications can prolong the recovery period. For example, the crown may chip if it is made of porcelain. While the dentist can quickly fix chips with a composite resin in most cases, the crown may need replacement if excessive chipping occurs.
It is also possible for the crown to loosen if the cement washes out from underneath it. If this happens, bacteria can seep in and cause tooth decay to the underlying tooth, eventually causing the crown to fall off. Should any of the aforementioned problems occur, patients should contact their dentist immediately to make an appointment and to receive instructions on how to manage until treatment.
If you have healthy teeth and follow post-procedure recommendations after receiving dental crowns, the recovery period typically should not last long. The increased self-confidence and convenience you can gain with the treatment should last much longer.
Are you considering dental crowns in the Tucson area? Get more information at https://www.tucsonazdentistry.com.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Crowns in Tucson, AZ.
A cosmetic dentist can use a dental crown to improve your dental health. A tooth with severe decay or discoloration can be depressing. The infection could reach the pulp at any time. Placing a custom-fit dental crown can protect your tooth from further damage and injury. If you want to know more about the steps…
Dental crowns are one of the most popular ways to restore teeth that are in bad shape. They are durable, reliable and most importantly, effective. The procedure itself is relatively straightforward, however, it is a good idea to become familiar with how things work beforehand. This ensures that the patient is prepared and knows what…
Do you want to know whether a dental crown or a dental filling will ideally fix your tooth problem? The decision on which of these two dental restoration options is going to work for you depends on the current condition of your tooth that requires repair. Anytime you have a tooth that is in jeopardy,…
Dental crowns perform a vital role in many dental procedures. It is one of the most popular modern dental restoration techniques. The dental crown mimics the upper portion of the tooth, protecting the structure above the gum line. If the tooth suffers structural impairment, infection or cosmetic problems, a dental crown can restore the functionality…
Using custom-fit plastic trays, Invisalign® treatments are a restorative and corrective treatment for several dental problems. As an orthodontic solution, clear aligners are often compared to a treatment using metal braces. Corrective measures typically address crooked or misaligned teeth, and provided the patient wears the trays for the prescribed length of time, the results are…
A cosmetic dentist can help create positive changes to your teeth, improving the aesthetics of your smile. However, a cosmetic dentist can also address certain issues that negatively impact your teeth and sometimes improve their function.Many patients have one or more issues that negatively impact their teeth. Our cosmetic dentist can help address these. Treatments that…