Royal Recovery: Tips for Healing After Dental Crown Placement

Do you have a decayed tooth that’s too injured for a filling to be effective or have you recently undergone a root canal procedure to alleviate a severe or prolonged ache? If so, there’s a high probability that your dentist will want to provide a dental crown after cleaning it to prevent additional harm while restoring its appearance and functionality.

If you’re unsure what to expect once your dental crown is placed, continue reading for 3 helpful tips for a successful recovery!

Tip #1: Manage Discomfort

If you’re scared that getting a dental crown will hurt, you can take comfort in knowing that your dentist will numb the area with a local anesthetic to block the nerves in your jaw, teeth, or gums from sending pain signals to your brain. That means you won’t have to worry about tenderness until the meds wear off after the fact.

Then, it’s normal to experience mild to moderate throbbing in the affected tooth for several days following your procedure. This usually subsides on its own after about a week, as your mouth adjusts to your pearly white’s altered dimensions with the cap in place. Taking over-the-counter pain meds like Tylenol or ibuprofen or applying an ice pack to the sore side of your face can provide some much-needed relief.

Tip #2: Eat Carefully

It’s usually best to wait to try to have a meal until the local anesthetic wears off so you don’t accidentally bite the tender tissues inside your mouth, or burn them eating something overly hot when you’re unable to sense the temperature. Then, it’s typically okay to resume eating normally the day after your treatment.

However, keep in mind that sticky, hard, and crunchy foods can potentially chip, loosen, or dislodge your restoration, especially when consumed within 24 hours of your appointment. It’s best to avoid options like ice, candy, taffy, and raw fruits and veggies to keep your dental crown looking and feeling great.

Tip #3: Clean Your Mouth Consistently

Dental crowns are an excellent way to shield your damaged tooth from harm, but you must continue brushing and flossing regularly to remove plaque and bacteria that can erode the underlying tooth, causing it to fail.

However, it’s usually best wait until the day after your procedure to resume your regular at-home dental hygiene routine to give the bonding cement a chance to set completely. In the meantime, you can cleanse your mouth by rinsing with warm salt water to naturally disinfect germs and alleviate associated aches.

Your provider will likely provide additional instructions for you to follow after your dental crown appointment, and following them in detail is the best way to heal effectively without developing adverse effects!

Meet the Author

Dr. Natalya Nagornaya has more than 20 years of experience helping people of all ages improve their lives by enhancing their dental health. She earned her dental degree from the University of Illinois College of Dentistry, and is a member of several prestigious organizations, including the American Dental Association. She has also completed additional training on dental implants, restorations, and cosmetics so she can provide lifelike dental crowns customized to match your natural teeth for a seamless smile. Then, she utilizes state-of-the-art equipment to increase patient comfort while delivering accurate results intended to last. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (847) 634-2525.