If you have a cracked, broken, or heavily decayed tooth, your dentist might recommend a dental crown in SW Calgary based on your oral needs. Crowns are a common dental treatment that covers and protects your tooth. But a lot of people wonder: Is getting a dental crown painful? Let’s break it down so you know what to expect before, during, and after the procedure.
What Is a Dental Crown?
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that covers a damaged tooth. It helps protect the tooth, restore its shape, size, and strength, and improve how it looks. Crowns are often made of porcelain, ceramic, metal, or a mix of materials.
Before the Procedure: Will It Hurt?
Before you even get the crown, your dentist in SW Calgary will check your tooth carefully. They might take X-rays to see what’s happening under your gums. This part doesn’t hurt at all.
Sometimes your tooth might already be hurting before you come in—that’s often why people need crowns in the first place! If your tooth has been bothering you, the crown actually helps stop the pain in the long run.
Your dentist will explain the whole process during your consultation. They’ll tell you if they need to do a root canal first (if the nerve inside is damaged) or if they can go straight to preparing the tooth for the crown.
During the Procedure: The Reality of Pain-Free Dental Crowns
Here’s where most people get nervous. But guess what? Pain-free dental crowns in SW Calgary are totally possible, and here’s why.
The Numbing Process
Before your dentist touches your tooth, they’ll numb the entire area with local anesthesia. You might feel a tiny pinch when the needle goes in, but that’s about it. Within a few minutes, your tooth and the gum around it will be completely numb. You won’t feel any pain during the procedure—just some pressure and pushing.
What Happens Next?
Once you’re numb, the dentist will shape your tooth so the crown fits perfectly. They use a special drill to remove a small amount of tooth structure. It sounds scary, but remember—you can’t feel it because of the anesthesia. You’ll hear the drill and feel some vibration, but no pain.
After shaping the tooth, your dentist takes an impression (like a mould) of your tooth. Some dental clinics use digital scanners now, which is even easier. Then they’ll put a temporary crown on your tooth while the permanent one is being made.
| Stage of Treatment | What You Feel |
| Numbing injection | Small pinch |
| Tooth preparation | Pressure, no pain |
| Taking impression | Slight discomfort |
| Temporary crown placement | Minor pressure |
After the Procedure: What to Expect
Okay, so the procedure is done. Now what? The anesthesia will wear off in 2-3 hours. During this time, be careful not to bite your lip or cheek—you can’t feel it and might hurt yourself!
The First Few Days
Some people feel nothing after getting a crown. Others might have mild sensitivity or soreness around the tooth. This is completely normal. Your gum might feel tender where the dentist worked, as if you brushed too hard.
If you feel discomfort, regular over-the-counter pain medicine (like ibuprofen) usually helps a lot. Most people don’t even need to take anything.
Sensitivity to Hot and Cold
Your tooth might feel sensitive to hot or cold foods for a few days or even a couple of weeks. This happens because the tooth was worked on, and it needs time to calm down. Usually, this sensitivity goes away on its own. If it gets worse or lasts more than a month, call your dental clinic for dental crowns near you to have it checked.
Are Dental Crowns Painful for Damaged Teeth?
If your tooth was already damaged, the crown should actually make things better, not worse. That’s the whole point! Once everything heals, your crowned tooth should feel just like a normal tooth. You can eat, chew, and bite without worrying.
Finding the Right Dental Clinic
If you’re searching for “dental crowns near you,” make sure you choose a clinic that prioritizes your comfort. A good dentist at a dental clinic near you will explain every step, answer all your questions, and make sure you’re completely numb before starting any work.
The Bottom Line
Getting a dental crown really isn’t as bad as people think. Yes, you’ll spend some time in the dentist’s chair. Yes, you might have some mild soreness afterward. But the actual procedure? Painless thanks to modern anesthesia.
The temporary discomfort you might feel afterward is nothing compared to leaving a damaged tooth untreated. Without a crown, that tooth could get infected, break even more, or eventually need to be pulled.
So if your dentist recommends a crown, don’t let fear hold you back. Thousands of people get pain-free dental crowns for damaged teeth every single day and do just fine. Your future self (with a strong, protected tooth) will thank you for taking care of it now.
Restore Your Smile with Strong, Natural-Looking Dental Crowns!
At Richmond Dental Clinic, we provide dental crowns that protect and strengthen your teeth. Don’t wait—schedule your appointment today with our friendly team and get the confident, healthy smile you deserve.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does getting a dental crown hurt during the procedure?
No, it shouldn’t hurt during the procedure. Your dentist will use local anesthesia to numb your tooth and the surrounding area completely. You might feel pressure or pushing, but you won’t feel pain. The numbing injection itself might cause a brief pinch, but that’s the most discomfort you’ll experience during the appointment.
How long does pain last after getting dental crowns?
Most people have little to no pain after getting a crown. If you do feel soreness, it typically lasts 2-3 days and feels like mild tenderness around the tooth and gum. Some tooth sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures can last up to 2 weeks, though this varies by person. If pain lasts longer than a few weeks or gets worse, contact your dentist.
Are dental crowns painful if the tooth has a nerve?
If your tooth still has a living nerve (meaning you didn’t need a root canal), you might experience some sensitivity after the crown is placed. This is because the tooth was prepared and worked on. However, this sensitivity is usually mild and temporary. The nerve should settle down within a few weeks as it adjusts to the crown.
What type of anesthesia is used for dental crowns?
Dentists typically use local anesthesia for crown procedures. This is the same numbing medicine used for fillings. It’s injected into the gum near the tooth and blocks pain signals from that area. You stay completely awake during the procedure—you can’t feel anything in that part of your mouth. For patients with severe anxiety, some dental clinics also offer sedation options.