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Post-Operative Instructions
​after a Crown Procedure

Crowns: What To Expect

A crown is a covering (or 'cap') which is placed over a tooth and is a very common treatment in dentistry today. Crowns are placed when a tooth has a large portion that is decayed or fractured or has been weakened by having a root canal done. The crown helps improve the strength and appearance of the tooth. Crowns can also be used to replace missing teeth when placed on an implant (link to implant page here). Crowns are generally made from a metal alloy covered in porcelain but can also be all metal as well as all porcelain/ceramic. A crown procedure generally takes a few visits with the dentist depending on how extensive the damage to the tooth is. In normal circumstances, it take two visits with approximately 2 weeks in between each visit. A temporary crown will be placed while waiting for completion of the final crown.

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What should I expect during a crown procedure?

You should expect your first crown visit to be 60-90 minutes. Prior to starting the crown preparation, the dentist will administer local anesthetic to the tooth and surrounding areas. The dentist will then excavate any decay and fill in the voids with a resin build up material. He will then prepare (shape) the tooth and make sure there is an adequate amount of room for a crown to be placed. An impression will be taken and will be sent off to a dental laboratory and they will fabricate the crown. A temporary crown will be placed and temporarily cemented. Two weeks or so are usually allotted for this process. At the second visit, the dentist will cement the finished crown into place. Prior to cementing the dentist will check the fit with an x-ray and make any necessary adjustments.

Crown procedures can vary from case to case. In cases of excessive decay on the tooth or tooth root the dentist may perform a gingivectomy (surgically reducing the gum tissue around the tooth) or clinical crown lengthening (surgery which involves reducing both the bone and the gum tissue around the tooth) to allow for more healthy tooth structure exposed to support a crown to be placed. These procedures may add additional weeks of time before the final crown is placed to allow time for the tissue around the tooth to heal.

Post-Op Care for Crowns:

• ​When anesthetic has been used, your lips, teeth and tongue may be numb for several hours after the appointment. Avoid chewing until numbness has completely worn off. It is easy to bite or burn your tongue or lip while numb.
  
• You may take any over the counter pain reliever for tenderness or discomfort. You may take aspirin or Ibuprofen (Advil or Tylenol), unless you are allergic to these medications or have a medical condition that would prevent you from taking these medications. This will help with any soreness at the injection sites where your anesthetic was administered. 
• It is normal to experience some hot, cold and pressure sensitivity after your appointment. Hot or cold sensitivity may linger for several weeks after the placement of the fillings. Usually these symptoms will subside over time.
  
• Your tooth will be covered with a temporary acrylic or resin crown which is subject to fracture. Please be careful when chewing so that it does not break. Please avoid dense, hard, or crunchy foods which might crack your temporary crown. Avoid eating all together until the anesthetic has worn off.
  
• Please avoid flossing around the temporary crown so that the temporary crown does not dislodge.
  
• One of the most common problems following a crown procedure with anesthesia, is an incorrect bite. If your bite feels uneven please call our office so we can get you scheduled to correct your bite. 

• If you have any further questions please contact our office as soon as possible at 941-408-7645.