Sensitivity after Dental Crown Treatment
Dental crowns restore and protect teeth that have been damaged by tooth decay or oral trauma. Dental crowns improve oral health and function while enhancing the appearance of the teeth. However, as with any restorative dentistry treatment, patients may experience some minor side effects in the days following their dental crown procedure.
Tooth sensitivity is one of the most common side effects of dental crown treatment. Dr. Louis J. Buono prepares our Long Island, NY, patients for how long they can expect to deal with tooth sensitivity after dental crown treatment. We also offer some tips that can make this side effect more manageable.
How Long Will Sensitivity Last?
Sensitivity is common after dental crown treatment. However, every patient has his or her own unique experience with tooth sensitivity. Some patients may only experience minor sensitivity that lasts for a few hours, while others may have moderate sensitivity for several days after treatment. The degree of sensitivity that a patient experiences, and the duration of that sensitivity, will depend primarily on the dental crown procedure.
When a dental crown is placed, the entire tooth is reshaped to eliminate damaged enamel and make room for the restoration. The amount of tooth enamel that is removed will depend on the extent of dental damage. If a tooth is severely damaged, Dr. Buono may get closer to the pulp of the tooth, where the nerves reside. The more tooth enamel that is removed during dental crown treatment, the more pronounced tooth sensitivity is likely to be during recovery.
Whether a patient experiences minor or moderate tooth sensitivity, it should not last for very long. Most of our Long Island patients notice a gradual improvement in tooth sensitivity starting a few days after the dental crown procedure, and in the majority of cases, sensitivity will completely dissipate within a week.
How to Manage Tooth Sensitivity
There is not really anything that a patient can do to prevent tooth sensitivity after dental crown treatment, but there are steps that can be taken to manage tooth sensitivity until the condition improves:
- Use over-the-counter pain medication to alleviate significant sensitivity or discomfort
- Consider the use of a toothpaste formulated for sensitive teeth
- Avoid foods or beverages that are extreme in temperature
- Stay away from foods or beverages that are especially sweet or acidic
- Avoid chewing on the treated tooth
When Should I Be Concerned about Sensitivity?
Even though tooth sensitivity is normal after dental crown treatment, it should not linger for long. If one of our Long Island patients experiences tooth sensitivity for longer than a week after the dental crown procedure, or if tooth sensitivity seems to worsen over time rather than improve, report this to Dr. Buono. In some cases, Dr. Buono may need to make a minor adjustment to the crown to provide patients with a more comfortable fit.
Contact Us
Dental crown treatment can address minor to moderate dental damage to improve the strength, health, and beauty of your smile. If you’d like to learn more about this procedure, contact us at your earliest convenience, or call (516) 294-0375 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Louis J. Buono.
