Royal Recovery: What to Expect After Getting a Dental Crown

Have you recently undergone a root canal procedure or do you have a severely decayed or damaged tooth that can’t be treated effectively with a tooth-colored filling? If so, your dentist will likely want to fit you with a dental crown to protect it from further harm while restoring its functionality and appearance.

However, many patients want to know what recovery is like before committing to treatment. Continue reading to learn 3 helpful hints to keep your dental crown looking and feeling great!

Tip #1: Eat Carefully

These tooth-shaped caps are usually made from resilient porcelain that’s less porous than enamel and therefore more resistant to chips, cracks, and stains. It’s not completely invincible, though, so you’ll need to make conscientious decisions regarding your diet.

For instance, overly sticky or crunchy foods could damage or dislodge your dental crown, especially immediately following its placement. It can take about 24 hours for the cement holding it in place to congeal fully, so it’s best to wait until the following day to resume eating more normally.

Tip #2: Keep Your Mouth Clean

Your restoration isn’t made out of the same organic components as your enamel and therefore doesn’t develop decay, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need to maintain it. If the underlying tooth gets cavities or your gums become infected, it could damage, destabilize, or even dislodge your dental crown.

Although your dentist might recommend waiting 24 hours to allow the adhesive to harden, you’ll want to resume your twice-daily at-home dental hygiene routine as soon as you can. Brushing and flossing both morning and night consistently removes plaque and bacteria that can cause oral issues, like caries and periodontal problems, that can negatively impact your prosthetic.  

Tip #3: Address Any Aches

Placing your dental crown is often so straightforward that your dentist might not even need to apply a local anesthetic. They may use one anyway to ensure you remain comfortable throughout your appointment. Then, after your visit, you might develop mild throbbing or inflammation as your natural teeth, tongue, gums, and other tender tissues inside your mouth adjust to your tooth’s changed dimensions.

Taking over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or Tylenol is usually safe when you’re feeling sore. You can also try holding an ice pack to the achy side of your face for 15 minutes for a temporary numbing relief.

If you experience persistent or severe pain that lasts three days or more, contact your dentist so they can verify that your crown fits correctly!

About the Practice

Patients at Bear Creek Family Dentistry benefit from a team of experts eager to help you and your loved ones build and maintain happy, healthy smiles. With general dentists and experienced specialists on staff, there’s no issue to simple or complex for them to address. They take the time to get to know you and tailor treatment plans to your unique needs. Then, they combine a caring approach with state-of-the-art technology to help you feel comfortable while delivering accurate, long-lasting results. If you’re worried about a damaged tooth, you can request an appointment on the website or call one of their conveniently located offices near you!