Do Dental Crowns Hurt? What To Expect During and After

Do dental crowns hurt during the visit?

Most people do not feel pain during a crown visit, because the dentist numbs the tooth first. You may still feel pressure. If something hurts, say so right away. Cleveland Clinic advises that you let your dentist know if you feel pain during the procedure, and the dentist can give you more anesthetic to keep you comfortable.

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that fits over your whole tooth. To make room for it, the dentist removes a small amount of enamel. The numbing step is what keeps that work comfortable. A local anesthetic blocks pain signals in one small area. You stay awake and alert, and you may still feel some pressure.

Here is how a typical two-visit crown works:

1. The dentist numbs the tooth and the gum around it.
2. The dentist shapes the tooth and takes impressions, either with a putty-like material or a digital scanner.
3. A temporary crown goes on while the lab makes the final one. Cleveland Clinic says the lab usually needs two to three weeks.
4. At the second visit, the dentist checks the shape, color, and fit, then bonds the final crown with strong dental cement.

Your dentist will talk with you about what to expect before you start. If needles make you tense, tell the team before the visit. A simple signal to pause can help you feel more in control.

What if I feel something while I am numb?

Speak up. Local anesthetic works by blocking pain signals, and the dentist can add more if you need it. Pressure is different from pain. If you are not sure which one you feel, say that too. Ask the dentist to tell you what is happening in plain words.

Many people relax once they know what each step is. You do not need to wait until the end of a step to ask for a break.

Do crowns hurt after the numbness wears off?

You may notice some soreness and sensitivity once the numbness fades. This is common. Cleveland Clinic says it is normal to have sensitivity for a couple of weeks, especially to heat and cold, and the gum around the tooth may feel sore or tender for a few days. The same page lists tooth sensitivity, especially in the first few weeks, as a known downside of crowns.

Sensitivity happens for a simple reason. The tooth lost a thin layer of enamel, and the layer under it, called dentin, can react to heat, cold, and sweets. MouthHealthy explains that dentin has tiny channels that let heat and cold reach the nerve. For more detail, read our post on why a tooth can hurt after a crown or filling.

What helps at home?

Small habits make a difference.

• Brush twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, and floss once a day. Cleveland Clinic gives this advice for crown care.
• Skip ice, hard nuts, popcorn with kernels, and sticky foods such as taffy. Cleveland Clinic says these can damage or dislodge a crown.
• Ask your dentist about a toothpaste for sensitive teeth. MouthHealthy says these toothpastes help block the signal from the tooth surface to the nerve, and they usually need several uses before sensitivity is reduced.
• Use an over-the-counter pain reliever as the label directs. Ask your doctor or pharmacist first if you take other medicine.

When should you call your dentist?

Call your dentist if you have any of these:

• Pain that keeps you up at night
• A loose crown, or a crack or chip in the crown
• Sharp edges that bother your tongue or gums
• A bad taste or bad breath that does not go away
• Sensitivity that gets worse instead of better

Do not wait for these problems to go away on their own. Cleveland Clinic notes that a crown that does not fit properly can trap bacteria and lead to decay. Your dentist can check the fit and the bite.

Some signs call for urgent medical care. Cleveland Clinic lists trouble breathing or swallowing, and facial swelling that spreads toward your eye or neck, as reasons to seek emergency medical care. If that happens, call 911 or go to an emergency room.

Could crown pain mean the nerve is hurt?

It can. For fillings, Cleveland Clinic says intense pain that lingers after something hot or cold touches the tooth might mean the nerve inside the tooth is damaged. A throbbing toothache can also point to decay that reached the pulp. In those cases the tooth may need a root canal. Only an exam and an X-ray can show what is going on. Please do not guess.

For more on the whole process, from first visit to final fit, see our dental crowns guide. If your crown is already on and you want to know how long it should last, read how long crowns last on molars and front teeth.

Next step

Read about dental crowns at Town Center Dental, then call (636) 273-5866 or request an appointment if a crown is bothering you or if you have questions about an upcoming visit. The office is open Monday through Thursday.