Dental crowns are pretty much what they sound like, that is, a covering over the top and sides of a tooth not repairable by other less invasive means. Crowns may be necessary for several reasons. It might be that it had a cavity too deep to fill. The tooth could be damaged from a crack or other injury. Crowns are also the final step in the root canal process.
It’s possible to be allergic to dental crowns, but it’s not common. This article will discuss such possible allergies and also provide some important information about dental crowns.
Can I Be Allergic to a Dental Crown?
It’s possible, although highly unlikely, to be allergic to dental crowns. This would include not only the crown itself, but other substances used in the crown procedure, such as dental cement. Crowns may be composed of any number of various materials, including porcelain, resin or ceramics.
What Will My Mouth Feel Like After a Dental Crown is Applied?
If your dentist determines that you need a crown, the procedure goes like this:
- The dentist will numb the area
- The decayed or damaged part of the tooth will be removed
- The tooth will then be shaped so the crown will fit snugly over it
- An impression will be taken for the permanent crown
- The dentist will fit a temporary crown to protect the tooth
It’s perfectly normal for the crown to feel strange. The bottom of it will feel flatter to your tongue than your other teeth. You will need to floss very carefully, because this is only a temporary crown.
It’s not the sturdy, long-lasting appliance that the permanent crown will be. Once the anesthetic wears off, you may experience sensitivity to hot and cold in that tooth. There may be some pain when you bite down as well, but it shouldn’t be severe.
The gum area around the affected tooth may also be irritated and sore and may sting a bit if something acidic, such as orange juice, comes into contact with it. This recovery period may last from several days to several weeks, but if it exceeds that timeframe, notify your dentist. Your text to link…
Your permanent crown will be fashioned in a dental lab and typically be ready in two to four weeks. Your dentist will remove the temporary crown and replace it with the permanent one, using a special type of dental cement meant to last many, many years.
Why am I Painful After My Dental Crown is Applied?
This may have several reasons and also may be related to the type of procedure you had. If you had a root canal, the nerve in the tooth will likely be irritated for awhile. This can cause pain, especially when biting down.
Try chewing on the other side for a few days, and avoid hard foods. If you grind your teeth, this will cause pain and probably damage the crown. This condition is called bruxism. Be sure to mention it to your dentist if this applies to you.
A special appliance, often made of silicone, is available for you to wear at night. One symptom of bruxism is waking up with unexplained jaw pain and possibly swelling.
Your mouth will probably be uncomfortable for a few days due to general irritation and also pain from the anesthetic injection sites. There may also be some pain from the tooth underneath the crown, because the dentist had to drill and shape it.
Pain after a crown procedure should diminish within a week or two, but total recovery could take longer. If it seems to be lasting too long, or it’s not improving at all, call your dentist.
What Materials Can Cause an Allergic Reaction with a Dental Crown?
In addition to porcelain, resin and ceramics, crowns may be made of porcelain fused to metal, gold and zirconium. Any of these materials can cause an allergic reaction in someone who is sensitive to them, but this is rather rare.
Stainless steel crowns containing nickel are commonly used in young children who still have their primary teeth.
It doesn’t make much financial sense to place an expensive porcelain crown over a tooth that will just fall out anyway. Nickel is a common allergen. In fact, nearly 20 percent of people have an allergy to this metal.
So it could be said, generally speaking, that dental crown allergic reactions would be more likely in children than in adults. However, dental crown allergy is not a common occurrence in either children or adults.
Allergies to dental cement are also possible.
Conclusion
Allergies to crowns are rare and shouldn’t stop you from getting treatment. There is always an alternative to an allergy issue. Dental crowns preserve teeth and prevent extractions. If you’re having any problems with your crowns, or you think you may need a dental crown, contact your dentist as soon as possible.
