Dental crowns have helped thousands of patients to prolong the health of their teeth and boost their confidence. Following treatment though, many patients want to know how to take care of a dental crown and what post-op steps they should follow.
Dental crown care is relatively straightforward and doesn’t usually involve a long recovery period. But, there are a few important points that can help to ensure your recovery from this dental treatment is as stress-free as possible.
Please note that this dental crowns aftercare guide aims to provide you with useful information on how to best take care of your crowns. The guidelines outlined here are not intended to replace any medical advice provided to you by your dentist.
Dental Crown Recovery: What Should I Expect?
In most cases, it takes around 2-3 days to recover after getting dental crowns. During this time, it’s common to feel some pain and discomfort in the areas surrounding the newly fitted crowns. This should begin to gradually lessen during the week following your treatment and over-the-counter painkillers usually do a good job in easing the pain.
You might also experience some increased sensitivity following treatment. This is usually down to the dental cement that’s used during the procedure, which can cause some irritation around the gums. If you experience persistent pain and sensitivity for several weeks, then it’s worth contacting your dentist for a quick post-op checkup.
General Post-Op Guidelines to Follow
After you’ve had your treatment, there are a few general guidelines that are worth keeping in mind. Following these can help to ensure that your dental crown recovery runs as smoothly as possible.
Avoid eating or drinking until the effects of the local anaesthesia have worn off to prevent potential injury to your mouth, lips, or tongue.
Avoid eating any hard, sticky, or chewy foods for the first few hours after your crown is placed.
Take one to two painkillers, such as ibuprofen, every 4-6 hours to ease any pain or discomfort.
Avoid exercise and strenuous physical activities for around three days after the procedure.
Using a topical anaesthetic gel can help to ease some of the sensitivity or irritation caused by the dental cement. You can buy these from most local pharmacies.
Caring For Temporary Crowns
If you have temporary crowns fitted while your permanent ones are being made, then there are some temporary crown post-op instructions to be aware of.
Where possible, avoid eating hard, sticky, or chewy foods as these can potentially dislodge or break your temporary crown.
Try to make sure that most of your chewing is done on the other side of the mouth.
Brush your teeth gently to avoid dislodging the crown.
Avoid flossing next to the temporary crown as this could potentially dislodge it. Try to pull the floss out from the side of the crown rather than lifting it out.
Let your dentist know if your temporary crown breaks or falls out. They will either repair it or make a new one.
Long-Term Dental Crown Care Guidance
In most cases, permanent dental crowns offer a long-lasting solution. But, knowing how to take care of a dental crown will play a big role in durability. There are a few common questions that patients ask about long-term post-crown care.
1. Are There Any Special Cleaning Requirements?
In general, there aren’t any special cleaning requirements for dental crowns. But, regular cleaning is important. If you’re not already, make sure that you’re brushing your teeth twice a day. If you find that your gums or teeth are sensitive following treatment, try using toothpaste for sensitive teeth. Flossing daily is also important and can help to prevent plaque build-up around your crowns.
2. How Long Does It Take For a Crown to Feel Normal?
You can expect your new dental crown to feel strange in the first few days. In most cases, a newly fitted crown should begin to feel normal around a week after it’s fitted. If it still feels out of place for several days and weeks after this, then it’s worth contacting your dentist to check if any adjustments are needed.
3. What Can You Eat With a Permanent Crown?
Although some dental crowns — like metal and zirconia — are strong, they’re still susceptible to breakages, so chewing on hard objects should be avoided. When it comes to eating, watch out for hard, sticky, or chewy foods. If your teeth are sensitive following your treatment, avoid extreme temperature food and drinks.
4. Do I Need to Wear a Mouthguard?
If you grind or clench your teeth at night then your dentist will likely recommend wearing a mouthguard to protect the crowns. But, mouthguards can be worthwhile even for those who don’t grind their teeth and can help to prevent any potential cracks or breakages.
5. How Often Should I See My Dentist?
Regular checkups will help to ensure that your crowns remain in good condition for as long as possible. Try to make appointments every six months to have your teeth and crowns professionally cleaned. These regular checkups will also help to catch and treat potential problems before they become more serious.
Dental Crowns Aftercare: We're on the Journey With You
At Qunomedical, we offer an end-to-end care service. What does this mean? Your Patient Manager will be available to answer any questions you may have throughout your recovery. We also recommend joining our dedicated community on Facebook, The Smile Hub, which provides a safe space to ask questions, chat with others, and share experiences.
We also work with a variety of professional dentists around the globe. Dental crown expert Dr Ozil, for example, practices at the AnteraPark Dental Clinic Antalya in Turkey and has over 10 years of experience. If you prefer to stay closer to home, you may prefer highly-modern dental clinics like INDEXMEDICA in Krakow in our neighbouring country Poland.
✔ Patients first: Your Patient Manager can be reached via phone, email, WhatsApp, or Facebook Messenger and will be on hand to answer any questions or concerns you may have throughout your recovery.
✔ Real patient stories: Hear directly from past patients who got their dental crowns through Qunomedical. Chat with people like you through our online community or check out our reviews page to hear firsthand accounts from those who have travelled abroad.