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At your routine checkup, did your dentist say you needed to get a dental crown? If you’ve never gotten one before, you probably have several questions running through your head about the procedure. Many patients who are unfamiliar with it are worried that it’ll be painful. Rest assured, it’s a very standard and safe procedure that can help restore your smile to its natural beauty. Plus, you’ll find it to be much more comfortable than you think! Here’s what you can expect.

Why Do Dentists Recommend Dental Crowns?

Dental crowns are often recommended for patients with severely damaged or decayed teeth. Each custom-made cap is fitted over an entire single tooth, restoring its size, shape, and function. It’s the ideal treatment option when a tooth’s structure is compromised, protecting it against further breakdown. Since most crowns are made of ceramic or porcelain, they mimic the appearance of real enamel, giving you seamless and natural-looking results!

The Dental Crown Procedure

In most cases, the dental crown procedure can be completed in as little as two appointments. Here’s a quick breakdown of each visit:

Preparation Visit

At your first appointment, your dentist will examine the damaged or decayed tooth and prepare it for the crown. This visit is often longer than the second one because it involves numbing the tooth, shaving down the enamel, removing damaged areas, and taking impressions for the dental lab. Because your tooth will be completely numb with a local anesthetic, you won’t feel a thing during its preparation. To minimize sensitivity, you’ll be given a temporary crown to wear in between appointments.

Final Placement

Once your dentist receives the custom-made crown from the lab, you’ll return to the clinic and have it permanently cemented in place. They’ll check the color, shape, and fit beforehand to ensure no adjustments are needed. The final placement should not cause you pain, but your dentist can apply a numbing agent to ensure your total comfort.

What Does the Recovery Process Look Like?

After a dental crown procedure, it’s normal to experience mild irritation, tenderness, inflammation, and sensitivity. Luckily, the recovery process is relatively short. You can expect any discomfort to resolve within a few days! If needed, you can take over-the-counter pain medication to alleviate your symptoms.

What Happens If You Choose Not to Get a Dental Crown?

It may surprise you to learn that the biggest risks of dental crown treatment are associated with not getting one. If you choose not to get one, you risk exposing your tooth to harmful bacteria and causing further breakdown. By delaying treatment, you increase your chances of having significant pain and needing more complex procedures down the line.

The dental crown procedure may seem daunting, but it certainly does not have to be that way. With the right dentist, you can expect the process to be much more comfortable than you think!