Is Dental Crown Procedure Painful: What You Must Know Before Getting Your Teeth Filed Down

Are you asking, “Is dental crown procedure painful?” It’s normal to feel anxious about the pain or discomfort associated with dental crown procedures; after all, the idea of having your tooth filed and worked on can be intimidating. But don’t worry. The good news is that most dental crown procedures are a breeze with modern dental technology!

This blog post will explain exactly what happens during a tooth crown procedure. We will explore why pain in getting a dental crown is not as scary as you think. Read on to learn more so that you can prepare accordingly before going into your appointment.

Summary Content

Dental crown procedures are not painful but may cause mild discomfort.
Dentists reduce the discomfort associated with dental crown procedures with numbing agents.
Dentists will also prescribe medications to help reduce the pain after dental crown placement.
Dentists may use sedatives to relieve pain in getting a dental crown or when the patient has severe dental anxiety.

What are Dental Crowns?

Dental crown procedures are one of the most common treatments to restore a tooth’s strength, shape and appearance. They are dental caps that cover and protect a weak or fractured tooth. Dental crowns can be made of the following bio-compatible materials:

Metal:
Gold, palladium, nickel, and chromium are some metals that can be used to make dental crowns. Metal crowns are the most durable and long-lasting option. They require the least amount of tooth structure to be removed before placement. They are tough enough to withstand being chewed on or bitten. The primary defect of this choice of material is its metallic hue. Back molars benefit from metal crowns because they are less noticeable.
Porcelain fused to metal:
These are made of porcelain materials and can be fabricated to match the shade of the teeth. However, the dark line of metal beneath the crown’s porcelain cap is visible. The crown’s porcelain portion can chip or break, and the crown itself can wear down the teeth on either side of it in the mouth.
Resin:
These types of crowns are typically more affordable. However, this material exposes the natural tooth structure, so they deteriorate and break more quickly.
All-ceramic or all-porcelain:
These materials offer the most natural aesthetic results. People who are sensitive to metals can also safely wear them. Contrarily, they lack the durability of porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. Unlike metal or resin crowns, they can cause more wear and tear on the teeth opposite them. Front teeth are a good candidate for all-ceramic crowns.
Pressed ceramic:
This is a good option because the core’s sturdy. Pressed ceramic dental crowns eliminate the need for a metal liner used in conventional all-ceramic crowns.

Is Getting a Dental Crown a Painful Procedure?

Is dental crown procedure painful? A dental crown procedure may cause mild pain and temporary discomfort. However, as with most dental procedures, local anesthesia reduces severe pain during the treatment.

Patients may experience mild pain or discomfort associated with the dental crown procedure. But this is easily managed with over-the-counter pain medication.

Meanwhile, pain in getting dental crowns can be reduced with modern dentistry today.

What to Expect During Dental Crown Placement?

When you book an appointment with your dentist to get a crown for your misshapen tooth, you should expect the following:

Consultation and evaluation:
Your dentist will determine if the dental crown placement is the right treatment for you. The dentist will also check if additional procedures must be done in tooth decay or gum disease cases. After the routine check-up, your dentist will evaluate your teeth’ size, shape and shade.
Preparing the tooth:
Your dentist will administer a local anesthetic to prepare your tooth. Your dentist will shape and file your weak tooth to remove tooth decay and to make space for the dental crown.
Taking impressions:
Your dentist will take digital impressions of your prepared tooth. This will be used in preparing your permanent crown.
Temporary crown placement:
A temporary crown will be placed over your filed tooth to protect it while the permanent crown is being prepared.
Permanent crown placement:
When the permanent dental crown is made, the temporary crown will be removed, and the permanent one will be bonded with a special adhesive.

How Will Your Dentist Make the Pain or Discomfort Manageable?

Your dentist was trained to minimise pain or discomfort associated with dental crown procedures, so you’ll get the best possible experience. Using anesthesia, your dentist will ensure that the entire process is as comfortable and manageable as possible.

This is usually injected using a tiny needle directly at the source of treatment. It can reduce the pain of getting a dental crown by blocking any pain signals from the site. This makes it more bearable for patients, making the procedure easier to manage.

Most patients who receive local anesthesia find that the numbing effects last for a few hours or until the site is completely healed. They may experience mild side effects such as tingling or numbness after anesthetics wear off, but this is temporary.

Meanwhile, some patients may have low pain tolerance, which makes sedation beneficial. The following are the most frequently used in Dentistry:

Oral conscious sedation:
To help you relax and reduce the pain of getting dental crowns, your dentist may offer oral conscious sedation, in which you take a pill about an hour before your appointment. Triazolam is commonly used in dental practices today. However, besides Zaleplon and Lorazepam, your dentist could also use other medications. Liquid sedation, such as Midazolam oral syrup, was commonly used by dentists in paediatric dentistry. You may become extremely sleepy after taking oral sedatives. You’ll need to have a friend or family member drive you home from the procedure because oral sedation temporarily impairs memory and motor skills.
IV Sedation:
Your dentist can administer sedative medications directly to your blood through an intravenous line. People suffering from extreme dental anxiety or needing extensive dental work may benefit most from this option.
General anesthesia:
Those with extreme dental anxiety may all benefit from this. Your dentist will need extensive training in anaesthesia to administer general anaesthesia.

Sedation comes with several advantages in reducing pain in getting dental crowns, such as the following:

Reducing anxiety
Relaxing patients so they remain still during dental work.
Helping to complete long treatments quicker
Eliminating sensitivity to the sound or taste of materials used in specific treatments.

However, there is always a risk of side effects such as the following:

dizziness
nausea

Reasons for a Dental Crown Procedure

Dental caps are generally used to cover a damaged tooth. Below are some reasons why a patient may need a dental crown:

Broken or cracked teeth:
The dental crown will strengthen the regular tooth and keep it from disintegrating further if it is badly damaged. They offer the best chance of avoiding risks of infection.
Decay or cavities:
A crown may be used when a tooth has decayed so severely that it cannot be restored. As a result of the drilling, the badly decayed section often splits. Therefore, the decay can be halted by having a crown placed over it.
Cosmetic purposes:
Crowns, or caps, are a highly effective restoration and cosmetic option for teeth. Crowns, Dentalmetic, protect crowns and fortify a tooth that has been compromised. They also cover up unsightly dental flaws like dark amalgam fillings, chips, cracks, and misalignments.
Root canal treatment:
Crowns are typically necessary after a root canal procedure on teeth used for chewing, such as molars and premolars. But they are not always necessary on teeth not used for chewing, such as incisors and canines.
Tooth wear:
To restore teeth that have been worn down, prompt and efficient treatment is required. Crowns placed by a dentist can restore severely damaged teeth. These implants and crowns are made specifically for each patient, and they are effective at concealing decayed teeth.

Post-Procedure Pain

After a dental crown is placed, many people experience a range of sensations. Some may find that their jaw is tender or their teeth around the crown are sensitive. There is often soreness and discomfort immediately after the procedure is complete, but this is due to the anesthetic wearing off and is usually mild in intensity.

Medications prescribed by a dentist are one way to feel pain relief, as is icing the area and taking other measures, such as avoiding crunchy or hard-to-chew food until your mouth has had time to recover and heal. In addition, good oral hygiene is essential in lessening any pain associated with the dental crown procedure.

If the pain is lingering or worsening with time, instead of minimising it, reaching out to your dentist is essential to ensure ongoing health and wellness. If you cannot reach your dentist for any reason– such as if the office is closed– seeking care at an urgent care facility or through telemedicine is recommended to determine if additional treatment is required.

Risks and Complications

Despite the complexity of dental crowns, most people experience only slight discomfort during any part of the procedure. In some cases, complications may arise post-procedure, such as:

Loose crown:
The cement under the crown can sometimes be washed away. This increases the risk of the crown becoming loose and bacteria entering the space, causing decay in the underlying tooth. If your crown is loose, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist.
Fracturing due to pressure:
The porcelain or porcelain fused to the metal used to make crowns can break. It may be possible to use a composite resin to fix the chip while keeping the crown intact if the damage is minor. The effect of this method is usually only temporary. A new crown may be needed if the damage is severe.
Allergy:
An allergic reaction to the metals or porcelain used in crowns is extremely rare. Some patients become allergic because dental crowns are made of a mixture of metals.
Tooth sensitivity:
A crowned tooth containing a nerve may be sensitive to hot or cold temperatures. If your teeth are particularly sensitive, your dentist may suggest using toothpaste specifically for that purpose.
Gum discolouration:
If you have a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown, the dark line along the gum line is to be expected. It’s just the metal of the crown showing through there. The dark line isn’t harmful, but it’s unsightly, so your dentist may recommend getting a new crown made entirely of porcelain or ceramic.

Alternative Treatments for a Dental Crown Procedure

A dental crown is generally considered a safe treatment option when it is the right fit for the patient, but there are certain scenarios when it is not recommended. A tooth cannot be crowned due to the following reasons:

Minor decay
A damaged tooth is located at the back of the mouth.
The tooth lacks structure and is very weak.

However, your dentist may suggest alternatives, such as:

Dental bridge:
The dental bridge is a prosthetic tooth supported by two crowns permanently cemented onto the teeth on both sides of the gap.
Dental implant:
A dental implant acts as an artificial tooth root made of titanium implanted into the jawbone so that a crown can be attached.

Cost of Dental Crown

When considering the cost of a dental crown, it is important to consider several factors. The general estimate for a dental crown is between $1100 and $2000. But this may vary depending on the following:

The complexity of the procedure is one key factor: As procedures become more complex, the total cost is likely to go up.
Materials used for the procedure: Some materials may be more expensive than others.
The expertise of dentists: Dentists who specialise in such procedures may charge more than other dentists.

Your health fund may fully or partially cover your dental crown. Nonetheless, your insurance may only cover specific types. Please get in touch with your health fund provider for information on your policy’s coverage.

Finding the Right Dentist for a Dental Crown Procedure

When looking for the right dentist, you must carefully weigh your options. Research their education, certifications, and experience for complex procedures like dental crown procedures.

It is often helpful to look at reviews from previous patients who have undergone similar treatments to know what to expect. Don’t forget to ask each dentist about the pain associated with the dental crown procedure. Many dentists use different techniques that greatly reduce any discomfort associated with the treatment.

Final Thoughts