Will Dental Crowns Feel Painless?

Dental crowns can be placed on top of a damaged tooth or used in conjunction with an implant after a tooth has been extracted. A dental crown can help maintain the placement of your teeth, restore your smile, and let you continue to eat and speak normally.

At CK Dental & Associates, Dr. Woo Young Chang creates custom dental crowns for patients in Washington, D.C.

Keep reading to find out how dental crowns feel and why they're so important.

What's involved in getting a dental crown?

A dental crown may be placed on top of a tooth by bonding it with dental cement. If you need an extraction, Dr. Chang will install an implant in your jawbone, then attach the crown in a way that blends in with the rest of your teeth.

Dental crowns are appropriate for patients with:

• A cracked tooth

• A tooth weakened by decay

• A worn-down tooth

• Misshapen teeth

• Severely stained teeth

• Teeth with damaged fillings

• Teeth with moderate to severe cavities

• Patients who need a single tooth replacement or a dental bridge to replace multiple teeth

Insurance will generally cover at least some of the cost of a crown if a patient has a medical issue. That's less common when a crown is used for cosmetic reasons (such as to replace a stained tooth).

Are dental crowns painful?

Getting a dental crown is not usually described as a painful experience. Some patients feel pressure when the dental crown is installed, and Dr. Chang can numb the area if there's any chance of a painful procedure. If you have anxiety about dental procedures, you can talk to Dr. Chang about relaxation strategies.

For patients who have had a tooth extraction, it may take a week or two to become accustomed to having a tooth in place again but acclimating to a crown should not be painful.

Having untreated tooth decay or putting off dental restoration after an extraction causes more pain than installing a dental crown. Crowns are designed to make eating and speaking easier and give you a reason to smile.

If you do experience pain after having a dental crown placed, you should contact Dr. Chang right away, as it may be a sign of an infection or other serious issue.

Do I need a dental crown?

A dental crown is an excellent option if you want to strengthen a weak tooth, replace a missing tooth, make your smile look more uniform, or improve the look of your teeth. If you have mild tooth decay, a crown can prevent bacteria from entering the area to do more damage. When placed over a damaged tooth, a crown can keep you from having to get a tooth extracted, which can affect the integrity of your jawbone.

Get a dental crown in Washington, D.C.

If you're having tooth pain, experiencing tooth decay, or need a tooth replaced, dental crowns are a long-term solution to many dental issues. If treated with care, a crown can last 15 years or more and feel virtually painless after they're installed.

To find out if a dental crown is right for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Woo Young Chang at CK Dental & Associates in Washington, D.C.