A dental crown helps cover and protect the remnants of a broken or badly chipped tooth. Patients often wonder if getting a crown is painful. The answers are not quite that simple. The answers come from McCabe Dental and Dr. McCabe, an Ocean Springs cosmetic dentist who provides some of the best restorative and cosmetic dental care in Ocean Springs. Contact McCabe Dental for an appointment to learn more about dental crowns.
The Process of Placing Crown on Tooth in Ocean Springs
Dr. McCabe takes a current mold of your teeth before work begins on the tooth that needs a crown. The purpose of this is to ensure that the crown fits in between your other teeth and is the same height. The mold could be a digital scan or a dental material in a tray on which you have to bite down and make an impression.
Next, the Ocean Springs cosmetic dentist, Dr. McCabe will numb the jaw and side of the face where the crown is needed. A dental drill and sanding will grind the tooth down to a nub. The nub will hold the crown in place and be protected by the crown. The prick of the numbing needle might hurt, but that's about it.
Fitting the Temporary Crown and the Permanent Crown
A temporary crown is typically adhered to the shaped tooth nub to protect it until the permanent crown is ready. You usually wear the temporary crown for 3-6 days, depending on whether or not you have to wait over the weekend for the permanent one.
Adhering to either crown doesn't hurt at all. You don't even need to be numbed for the crown. You do have to follow directions for the crown on your tooth Ocean Springs dentist, Dr. McCabe, will tell you not to chew or bite any hard or sticky foods until your new permanent crown is in your mouth.
The Short Answer
In short, you may feel some discomfort from the numbing agent, and maybe some slight pain after the temporary crown has been placed and the numbing agent has worn off. Other than that, nothing should hurt because the nerves in the tooth nub are never touched during the entire procedure.
If you do feel any pain, and it doesn't go away with pain relievers, contact Dr. McCabe at McCabe Dental to make an appointment. The cause of the pain could be easily resolved.