Crowns are restorations created to cover a tooth to protect its remaining structure.
They are recommended for teeth which are heavily restored, root canal treated or have broken down. The tooth is first trimmed to make room for the crown to be cemented over it. Sensitivity can occur after the placement of a crown which usually subsides after a few weeks.
As long as a person maintains good oral hygiene crowns have an excellent long term prognosis. When crowning a vital tooth though (a tooth where the nerve is still alive), there is always a chance the nerve will die and the tooth will eventually need root canal treatment.
After Care Tips
Local anaesthetic:
If your procedure required numbing, you will need to be careful not to bite your lip, cheek or tongue, the numbness can last anywhere from 2 – 8 hours after the appointment, also avoid hot beverages or food.
Crown or Bridge
- You will need to avoid eating anything hard or chewy on the temporarily cemented crown/bridge, they can be quite flimsy and can be flicked off quite easily.
- Try to avoid flossing and toothpicks.
- If the temporary does come off, give us a call to decipher whether we should re cement it or not.
- Your gum around the area and the tooth in question, will be tender and sensitive for a few days following the procedure, due to the work we have done on and around the tooth.
- Once the permanent has been inserted, you will need to avoid flossing and toothpicks for 24 hours, whilst the cement is setting.
- Certain flossing techniques will need to be followed with newly inserted bridges and crowns, this will be shown to you at the end of your appointment.
- The cementation will also cause some discomfort at the duration of the appointment and sensitivity can last up to 2 weeks.
