Dental crowns are commonly used to reinforce weakened or damaged teeth, restoring their chewing function. Additionally, dental crowns are used in cosmetic dentistry to improve the appearance of the tooth. But is getting a dental crown painful? In this article, we address this question.
Is Getting a Dental Crown Painful?
In most cases, patients do not experience pain or significant discomfort during the placement of dental crowns. Modern local anesthetics enable even invasive procedures, such as tooth removal, to be performed without causing pain to the patient.
A local anesthetic is administered via injection in the gum before the dental crown placement procedure begins. The anesthetic typically takes effect within a few minutes after the injection, completely numbing the area of the procedure and effectively blocking pain and other sensations. Also, your doctor can adjust the dose of the anesthetic for patients with increased sensitivity. The injection itself feels similar to a sting, but it lasts only a couple of seconds and is typically well-tolerated by patients.
In addition, patients can opt for one of the sedation options if they have one of the following characteristics:
- Severe anxiety associated with dental procedures
- High tolerance to local anesthetics
- Difficulty remaining in one position for the duration of the procedure
If you anticipate that one of these issues can prevent you from going through the procedure or will make it extremely uncomfortable to do so, talk to your dentist about sedation during the pre-procedure consultation. Typically, dental offices can offer one of the following sedation options:
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide sedation, also commonly referred to as laughing gas, is administered via inhalation through a mask, helping the patient relax and feel comfortable during the procedure. This type of sedation does not block the pain, so it is always used in combination with a local anesthetic.
Oral Sedation
Oral sedation is a pill taken by mouth some time before the procedure. It also has calming and relaxing properties and is used together with a local anesthetic injection.
IV Sedation
IV (intravenous) sedation is administered via injection. It is the strongest type of conscious sedation used in dentistry. IV sedation is likely to cause drowsiness, and some patients can fall asleep during the procedure or have little memory of it afterward.
General Anesthesia
General anesthesia is rarely used in dentistry, particularly for procedures such as crown placement. It makes the patient entirely unconscious and also requires a prior heart exam and an anesthesiologist to administer the anesthesia. However, it can be employed for patients with special needs or complicated and lengthy surgical procedures.
What Happens During the Procedure of Dental Crown Placement
Dental crown placement can be performed after a root canal treatment to reinforce the tooth or for aesthetic purposes to cover cracks, chips, or discoloration. In either case, the tooth will be prepared for the crown by filing it down to allow room for the crown to fit comfortably among other teeth. Then, a custom-made crown is placed on the tooth and bonded with it to prevent bacteria and food particles from accessing the tooth. A properly fitted crown is fully air and watertight.
Will You Feel Pain After the Procedure of Dental Crown Placement?
Once the anesthetic wears off, you may experience some soreness of the gum tissue around the crowned tooth, as well as tooth sensitivity to cold and hot foods and beverages. However, these sensations are typically mild and gradually subside as the recovery progresses. Additionally, any discomfort can be effectively managed with over-the-counter pain relievers, such as Ibuprofen, and proper post-procedure care. Typically, recovery takes about a week.
Get a Stress-Free Dental Crown Procedure at Tropic Dental Care
Do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with an experienced and friendly dentist at Tropic Dental Care to undergo a stress-free and comfortable dental crown placement procedure. We are looking forward to your visit to our dental office.
