– Cindy
You’ve been told you need to get a crown to cover one or more teeth, yet you’re apprehensive because you worry it will hurt. Your concerns about undergoing dental work are understandable. However, the good news is that getting a dental crown in Greensboro is one of the least painful dental procedures you can undergo.
In fact, most patients who see a Greensboro dentist at Friendly Dentistry report little to no discomfort when crowning a tooth. Not capping a chipped or broken tooth or one in decay is far more likely to hurt than having it crowned.
The old saying goes, “knowledge is power.” Knowing more about crowns and the process involved in receiving one can aid you in understanding what to expect and give a context for why getting a crown is unlikely to hurt.
– Cindy
What Is a Dental Crown?
Dental crowns are often referred to simply as crowns, covers, or caps. No matter the terminology you use, it refers to a type of dental restoration apparatus applied on top of a dental implant or tooth.
The are multiple types of crowns used by dentists, including:
- Ceramic crowns
- Stainless steel crowns
- Porcelain crowns fused to metal
- Composite resin crowns
- Metal alloys, such as platinum or gold crowns
Crowns formulated from each of the materials above provide similar restorative benefits, so many of our dental patients often base their choice of materials above on:
- Durability or longevity
- Aesthetic or appearance
- Price
Dental crowns crafted from ceramics are most popular among patients at Friendly Dentistry in Greensboro as they are much more aesthetically pleasing and give off a natural look, much like tooth-colored fillings are as opposed to amalgam fillings (which are a combination of mercury and metal alloys).
Why You May Need To Get Dental Crowns?
A Greensboro dentist like ours at Friendly Dentistry might recommend that a patient gets a crown for many reasons.
Some of the more common uses of dental crowns include:
- To preserve tooth structure and strengthen a weakened (decayed) tooth, such as a cavity repaired with a dental filling
- To keep a fractured or cracked tooth intact
- To secure an oral apparatus such as a dental bridge in a set position where there are missing teeth
- To improve the functionality and appearance of significantly worn down teeth caused by factors such as teeth grinding or genetic conditions like peg laterals
Dentistry IQ, a publication for dental professionals, recently conducted a study that shows that as many as 781 per 100,000 Americans receive dental crowns monthly. That same data suggests that the use of dental crowns among dentists specializing in general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, restorative dentistry, or implant dentistry is increasing nationwide.
What Are the Steps Involved in Getting a Tooth Crown in North Carolina?
Most patients must visit their dentist twice before receiving their final crown.
During the first visit, a patient may:
- Undergo a thorough cleaning
- Receive a local anesthetic around their tooth and gum line
- Have their tooth prepared, including having it filed down
- Undergo a color match consultation to ensure temporary dental crowns match any discoloration of surrounding teeth
- Have their dentist use a silicone putty to make a dental impression, also known as a cast or mold, of your mouth to send to the dental laboratory to make your permanent crown
Your Greensboro dentist will generally overlay any existing teeth or dental implants you have with a prefabricated temporary crown during that initial visit. Dentists generally utilize a denture adhesive instead of a stronger dental cement when fitting their patients with temporary dental crowns. This type of dental bonding substance makes removing and replacing the temporary cap with a permanent one easier once the dental lab sends it back.
Your second appointment for your dental crown is pretty straightforward. You can expect your dentist to:
- Remove any excess buildup of food particles or the dental adhesive that bonded the temporary crown to your existing tooth or implant
- Onlay the newly fabricated permanent crown atop an existing dental filling, implant, or tooth utilizing a durable resin dental cement
You can rest assured knowing your newly cemented tooth cover isn’t going anywhere after this second visit to our Greensboro, NC dental office.
It’s important to note that patients with dental anxiety that often ask, “Does getting a dental crown hurt?” seldom find any aspect of either appointment described above uncomfortable. Our use of a local anesthetic along your gum line and sedation by injection is critical to keeping you calm and comfortable at every step of the process.
Is a Greensboro, NC Dental Crown Procedure Painful?
Now that we’ve gone over what a crown is, why they’re necessary, and the steps involved in getting one, let’s address the question at hand: “Does Getting a Dental Crown Hurt?”
Having a crown put atop your tooth generally isn’t painful. One of the reasons it isn’t is because, as mentioned above, your dentist anesthetizes your gums around the tooth that will be receiving the cap. Your dentist may use a topical anesthetic in the form of an ointment that numbs your gums so that you don’t feel even the seconds-long sting of the locally injected anesthetic medication.
Like any time you receive anesthesia, you may experience some tenderness, sensitivity, and minor discomfort as the anesthetic’s effects wear off in the hours after your appointment and the sensation in your mouth returns. Any potential discomfort you feel may be exacerbated by aggressive chewing, talking, or other excessive use of your mouth.
Your dentist may recommend taking an over-the-counter pain medication to alleviate any minor discomfort you may feel once you return home. Though, many patients find it unnecessary to take anything and go about their regular business after their respective appointments. Any temporary discomfort you feel after seeing the dentist shouldn’t prolong more than a day or two.
How Our Friendly Dentistry Team Can Help if You Need a Crown in Greensboro, NC
Here at Friendly Dentistry, our priority is restoring the health of your teeth and giving you that smile makeover you’re seeking. Getting a crown is a fairly common dental procedure that can help you achieve both of these end results.
Each dentist at our Greensboro dental practice is well-experienced in all aspects of general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry and is eager to help you with crowns or any other dental needs. Our dentists are wholly focused on using the best practices so you don’t have to worry about whether getting a dental crown hurts. Our dental hygienists and front office staff are well-trained and committed to offering top-notch patient care and attentive customer service. So, either fill out our request appointment form or call us today to let us know you want to be a new patient at Friendly Dental. We’ll find an appointment time that works best for you.