Is Getting a Dental Crown a Painful Procedure?

What Is a Dental Crown?

It is an oral restoration that repairs and replaces damaged tooth enamel. Dental crowns mimic natural teeth in shape and color. Typically, dental crowns feature porcelain, a sturdy tooth-colored material that can repair external tooth structures.

What Does the Procedure Entail?

Getting dental crowns in Richmond Hill entails relatively invasive dental work. The dentist starts the treatment by trimming or shaving your enamel. The goal is to remove any damaged portion of the external tooth structure. Besides, the dentist works to create space for a dental crown.

After preparing the tooth, the dentist takes its impressions, creating a 3D mold. The mold guides the creation of a dental crown to assure a perfect fit. Typically, this is as far as the treatment goes for the first dental appointment of a traditional dental crown. The dentist places a temporary crown over the tooth, protecting it before the next dental appointment.

After about 2 weeks, you need to visit your dentist again for a permanent dental crown. Installing these crowns entails dental bonding using special cement. Dentists use lasers to cure the cement and strengthen the bond between the porcelain crown and the natural tooth structure.

Is It Painful?

Generally, anticipate some discomfort when receiving dental crowns near you. As the dentist drills the tooth enamel to create room for the dental crown, you will experience some discomfort. The stakes are higher if your tooth was initially damaged or you have a toothache. Therefore, dentists in Richmond Hill, NY, employ local anesthesia. It numbs your mouth, assuring you of a pain-free procedure. In some cases, the dentist may recommend sedation dentistry. It is usually for patients that need help conquering dental anxiety.

What Is the Role of a Dental Crown?

The primary function of a dental crown at Caring Dentistry of Queens is to rebuild your tooth structure. Usually, when your tooth is injured or diseased, the enamel suffers most of the damage. The role of a crown is to replace the damaged portion of the tooth enamel to restore its health. Some of the factors that may necessitate dental crowns are:

1. Broken or cracked teeth – if the fracture is significant enough and you have lost a substantial portion of your tooth enamel.
2. Covering a dental implant – after replacing your lost tooth with a dental implant, dentists employ dental crowns to cap the implant and restore functionality and natural appearance.
3. Holding a dental filling in place – sometimes, the size of a dental filling that restores your tooth after dental decay is too big to remain stable on its own. Dental crowns are great at securing dental fillings to restore stability and optimize functionality.
4. Restoring a weak tooth – weak teeth enamel heightens sensitivity and decreases functionality. Dental crowns can help restore teeth strength for your weak teeth.

Is A Dental Crown Worth It?

Considering the many functions of dental crowns in dentistry, it is not hard to acknowledge that they are crucial restorations for your teeth. Besides that, consider the following benefits of dental crowns:

1. Versatility – dental crowns can correct various dental problems in one go. For example, you will not need separate dental appliances for treatment aside from dental crowns if you have a discolored and broken tooth.
2. Aesthetic benefit – porcelain crowns look and feel like natural teeth. You will hardly be able to tell them apart from your natural teeth, especially if you get your natural teeth whitened beforehand.
3. Optimal tooth functionality – many dental flaws can deter your teeth from functioning as they should. Dental crowns reinforce teeth strength, allowing you to eat and chew properly.
4. No need for tooth extractions – repairing teeth with dental crowns prevents premature tooth loss through dental extractions.

How Do You Clean a Dental Crown?

Keeping your mouth clean after dental crowns is the best way to increase longevity while maintaining good oral health. Technically, do not treat your dental crowns that differently from your natural teeth. Instead, brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss daily. The only difference is that dentists would recommend electric toothbrushes over manual ones. Liaise with your dentist to identify the best cleaning products for cleaning dental crowns at home.