Having a crown put on for the first time can be a daunting experience. However, the process is not something you should fear. It might leave you a bit sore, but the overall process is not traumatic. The pain you feel during the procedure is minor compared to the possible long-term damage a neglected tooth could have on your mouth. This article will explain your options when having a crown put on. Understanding the process will make the ordeal less stressful in the end.

Sedation or Local Anesthetic

The first thing to decide is whether you want to be fully sedated for the procedure. To be fully sedated will cost a lot more because it needs to be done by a certified anesthesiologist. If you have the money and are particularly nervous about dental work, this might be the only way to go. Otherwise, you'll be locally numbed with needles. This is usually the hardest part for most people, just because they hate the sight of needles. Once the local anesthetic kicks in, you should not feel anything during the procedure. If you do, do not be afraid to tell your dentist immediately.

When you have a crown put on, a dentist, like Terry Droske, needs to make a post out of your existing tooth. This means he or she needs to grind down all the sides of your tooth until there is just a narrow post in the center. If your tooth is too diseased to act as a post, it will be extracted; then the dentist will implant a metal rod into the gum tissue and jaw bone. The crown will fit right on top of this post in the end. This process of grinding down the tooth is usually most excruciating for most patients. As mentioned, you should not feel any pain, but the sound and smell a dental drill can be quite jarring for some patients.

A Temporary Crown

Once the post is properly formed, the dentist will apply a temporary crown. The temporary crown will be attached to the post, and you'll need to keep it in for a week or two while the permanent crown is being made. If the temporary crown is knocked loose, contact your dentist as soon as possible. You do not want the post of your tooth to be compromised in any way. To mitigate a loose crown, you'll want to eat very soft foods during this time and try to chew harder snacks on the other side of your mouth.

The Permanent Crown

The final and simplest step of this whole process is having the permanent crown put on. It is basically glued onto the post, so you do not need any anesthetic during this visit. All in all, the process of having a crown put on can be lengthy, but it should not be painful.