Getting a Crown (on a tooth) :)

[Ipsey]

Ok, I'm sort of anxious about this.

I'm not really afraid of dentists, but a little uneasy.

I have pretty good teeth, but have had some large cavities thanks to the deep grooves I've had in my teeth since I was a kid. (And the fact our dentist used to not use novicane "Oh, this is small, and it won't hurt a bit. We won't bother with that.")

 

Anyway, one of my molars needs a crown because my tooth has started to fissure and there's quite a bit of decay around one of the fillings. (Why does this make me feel so sad? It's irrational.)

 

So, I need to get a crown.

I'm nervous!

 

Can anyone make me feel better?

[G5052]

Nothing dental is fun. Be sure to let them know if they are hurting you because it should be painless during the procedure. Your mouth will feel funny afterwards, and you'll be sore for a few days.

 

I have three, and am glad that they at least caught them in time to do a crown instead of something more extensive.

[Freckles]

My molars are a mess. Deep grooves and genetics. You have options. I have a tooth colored crown on one, and I will probably get a gold crown on my very back molar because they are stronger. When all is said and done, I will have three crowns and an implant. They can give you some medicine to relax you if you are really nervous. I don't remember it hurting. My crown was a little sensitive at first. I used sensidine toothpaste for awhile, but now I'm good to go. Good luck!

[magic]

I have 6 crowns. The first couple I felt nervous about but have a great dentist who puts me at ease and I have complete trust in. I am always awake for the entire procedure and usually bring an audiobook to listen to. If I have to get up and use the bathroom, I just let them know. My dentist makes the crown inhouse so it is usually a 3 hour visit and I get everything done in one visit. I am sure you will be fine and you shouldn't feel any pain.

[Cinder]

(And the fact our dentist used to not use novicane "Oh, this is small, and it won't hurt a bit. We won't bother with that.")

 

I had a dentist do this to me once. :glare: Is it any wonder I have dental-phobia?

 

My current dentist isn't like this at all. They use novacaine. And laughing gas if you need it. The gas just helps with the relaxation so you're not tense. Really, it's kind of like getting slightly tipsy. I used it when I got my first crown but not after that. My dentist does the two step procedure where you get the temp crown and come back a week or two later for the final. For the first part they will cast your tooth for the crown and temp, then numb you so they can shape your tooth to prep it for the crown. Then they glue on the temp. It might be tender because they actually push your gums down a bit in hopes that when the permanent crown goes in your gums will move back up to cover the bottom of the crown--to prevent decay.

 

For the permanent crown they don't numb you (at my dentist--but they will if you ask for it) but they are gentle and it doesn't hurt as they pop off the temp, dry off your tooth (with gauze not air!) and glue on the permanent. Then they check your bite to make sure the crown is seated properly and your bite is good. That's it! Again it might be tender for a bit. And it won't be as strong so you might feel it more for a time when you chew on hard things on that side.

 

I hope it goes well for you! :grouphug:

[Sparkle]

I had a root canal and a crown put on about a year ago. I will say that having the root canal was probably my most unfavorite experience ever. But I think that was mainly due to the fact that the root had gotten so inflamed that it was extra-sensitive. The dentist had to stop drilling every couple of minutes and give me extra doses of novocaine. Like Cinder said, though, getting the permanent crown put on didn't hurt at all. I hope your experience isn't bad. Just make sure to let them know if you're feeling any pain so they can fix you up. I wish I'd had the laughing gas. I think it would have made it a lot more tolerable.

[nd293]

I can tell you my son had a crown at 5yrs old and he managed :-) He had no expectation that it would be scary or miserable - we adults make things worse by anticipating discomfort. Be clear and upfront about your anxiety, be vocal if you feel any pain, take headphones and your favourite music, and try to relax!

 

 

[tex-mex]

Back in 2003, I had a root canal and 4 crowns done in 2-3 separate procedures, like descibed above. The dentist was great with my anxiety. I watched a movie while he worked on my mouth. It was not a bad experience. Definitely encourage you to communicate with the Dentist and relax (iPod, movie, or Dentist approved sedative) on the day of the procedure.

[Stacia]

have had some large cavities thanks to the deep grooves I've had in my teeth since I was a kid.

 

I have had the same thing and, as an adult, have had some of them replaced by crowns.

 

Frankly, getting the fillings when I was a kid was way worse than getting the crowns. I had a pretty insensitive dentist as a kid & getting fillings was a horrible experience (that I went through more than once, unfortunately). It gave me somewhat of a dentist phobia & I avoided dentists for the most part in my 20s.

 

However, when dh & I married, he had a great dentist w/ fabulous staff & I started going there. When it was time to get crowns, it was really no problem. So much more pleasant (can't believe I'm writing that about a dental procedure) than the fillings. My dentist used a topical numbing agent, then did novocaine shots once my mouth was already numb. Didn't feel any of the procedure of the crowns, other than pressure when they were attaching the actual crown. (Just pressure, but it didn't hurt.) I've had my crowns for many years now, no problems.

 

Really, it was easy-peasy. Hopefully yours will be the same.

 

ETA: If you have never had laughing gas, be aware that it can make some people sick. (Ask me how I know.) During my dentist-phobia phase, I had to get something done & asked for both novocaine & laughing gas. Big mistake. I felt so nauseated from the laughing gas that I would never use it again. Otoh, dd has had laughing gas (but not combined w/ novocaine) & had no problems. Just wanted to mention it as something to consider if you really want both types of pain management at the same time....

[JFSinIL]

If the tooth is far enough back, insist on a gold crown, even if you have to pay a bit more for it. They are supposed to last longer than the, well, not gold kind. Plus you can grin like a pirate and impress young children.

[MomtoCandJ]

My dh makes crowns, he has made his own. He says no biggie. He says abruxzir is the strongest crown you can get

[PollyOR]

I really dislike going to the dentist.

 

One of my molars broke back in October. I was so sad to lose my tooth and nervous too. Got a gold crown and it was a great experience. I had a temporary aluminum crown first and it was just too dark.

 

A couple of weeks later I went in for a filling and that didn't go so well. My face was numb all the way back to my ear but I still felt it. The dentist was patient and did everything he could to minimize the pain.

 

Good luck! I hope it is goes well. :)

[PollyOR]

If the tooth is far enough back, insist on a gold crown, even if you have to pay a bit more for it. They are supposed to last longer than the, well, not gold kind. Plus you can grin like a pirate and impress young children.

 

Lol! Yeah, I love showing off my gold tooth. I never thought I would do such a thing. ;)

 

My Mom and Dad did not receive dental care as kids, so they have had lots of dental work as adults. They both recommended gold instead of porcelain. My dad even has gold implants.

[Flowing Brook]

I got a crown last summer. They put a temporary on for two weeks. Then the permanent one on after that. I was really nervous but it turned out to be a piece of cake. There was a little bit of soreness when they put on the temporary. The permanent was pain free, unless you want to count the bill. That hurt especially since I am still paying for it.

[TraciWA]

I am scheduled for one next month. I am thankful they give the option of gas. I really hate the dentist.

[kitten18]

Ok, I'm sort of anxious about this.

I'm not really afraid of dentists, but a little uneasy.

I have pretty good teeth, but have had some large cavities thanks to the deep grooves I've had in my teeth since I was a kid. (And the fact our dentist used to not use novicane "Oh, this is small, and it won't hurt a bit. We won't bother with that.")

 

Anyway, one of my molars needs a crown because my tooth has started to fissure and there's quite a bit of decay around one of the fillings. (Why does this make me feel so sad? It's irrational.)

 

So, I need to get a crown.

I'm nervous!

 

Can anyone make me feel better?

:scared: :svengo: Just the thought of that makes me want to throw up.

 

I have exactly the same thing. When I was a kid my dentist put fillings in my molars to keep them from getting cavities. I know he thought he was doing the best thing at the time but it's created a small mess for me now. :sad:

I have 5 crowns, it's silly but that makes me feel embarrassed.

 

Anyway, getting my crowns has been no big deal at all. I've had one root canal too an that was no problem either, it was the same as getting a filling, just took longer.

 

I have realized that I take longer to get numb than most people. I just remind my dentist of that and they wait a little longer and then I don't feel a thing. :thumbup:

 

ETA - my dentist has TVs that I could watch but I prefer to bring my ipod and listen to an audio book.

[gardenmom5]

just think how much better it will be when it's all over? there are two appointments - the first one where they do the prep work and take impressions (can't help but think how much fun a homeschooling child would have with that stuff.) and the 2nd one where the new crown is put in. the 2nd appointment is very fast. I didn't have any analgesic for the 2nd appointment as all they're doing is removing the temporary, and sticking it on the permanent one. takes all of maybe 20 minutes tops.

 

I had to get a replacement crown over christmas. then, the tooth above it broke because it was fractured and my new crown was nice and strong. so, if something had to give, it was the fractured tooth. (I thought a filling came out - nope, it was the tooth. so two crowns within a month. now, they're a matched set.)

[babs]

A few years back, I went to dentist after a 2 yr break. She said I needed 7 crowns...and I hate the dentist! Same deal as yours...decay around old fillings. So I did it over a year plus time. After the last she retired! I think I was her eary retirement fund. Anyway, she was all into white teeth and told me that some crowns have an extra layer that looks grey...so I went with the crowns that don't have it...mistake. That layer helps guard against sensitivity. And those crowns are so much whiter than my teeth in front...I think her grand plan was to then convince me I needed whitening or veneers in front!$. So, research and ask questions about the types of crowns and make sure they match in color.

 

My dentist slapped me when I was a kid...he was dreadful. I wish my mom had brushed for me when I was a kid. My kids all get nighty brush and floss by a parent with an electric toothbrush until they are 12... Then I carefully check...we give them money for the check up with X-rays that comes out clean. Teeth are so important.