Post New Crown Instructions

A new dental crown may initially feel strange in your mouth, and that is normal. You should expect some symptoms like numbness and tenderness shortly after getting a crown, and allow them to gradually improve. However, some signs can indicate more serious problems that require immediate action.

This blog provides general post new crown instructions to help you understand what is normal after getting a crown and which signs may require dental attention. That said, always prioritize your dentist’s instructions over any general advice.

What Should You Do Immediately After Getting a Crown?

Follow these steps right after getting dental crowns in our clinic:

Wait Until the Numbness Wears Off Before Chewing

You are likely to experience numbness around your teeth for several hours after getting a crown because of the local anesthetic, and this is completely normal. We recommend you not chew anything before that numbness has fully worn off. Ignoring this advice can result in biting or burning your lips or tongue while they are numb.

How long does local anesthetic last? It depends on factors such as how your body responds to the medication.

It is always best to follow your dentist’s specific instructions rather than relying on a fixed timeframe you read about in a blog or article.

Follow Your Dentist’s Instructions About Eating

Assuming the numbness has worn off, let’s see what you can eat and drink and what you should avoid. There is no single rule that applies in every case.

We always explain to our patients that what they can eat and drink after getting crowns depends on various factors, so it is important that they follow our instructions carefully:

• Crown material: Different materials usually have different care requirements. So post new crown instructions vary from one patient to another.
• Type of dental cement: The cement we use to secure the crown can also affect what patients can eat and drink after treatment.
• Type of crown: Temporary crowns are generally more vulnerable to hard or sticky foods, while permanent crowns are generally more resistant.
• Complementary treatments: If we perform other procedures (for example root canal treatment) during the same appointment, they may affect when and what the patient can eat.

Start With Comfortable Foods

It may take some time to return to your normal diet. Until the area around your new crown is no longer tender, eat soft foods that require little chewing. For example:

• Yogurt
• Eggs
• Pasta
• Rice
• Warm soup (avoid excessively hot foods, which can irritate the treated area)

In general, you can gradually move from soft foods to your usual diet as tenderness improves, based on your dentist’s advice.

Avoid Chewing Directly on the Crown at First

Try not to chew with a freshly placed crown for a while. Instead, chew on the opposite side of your mouth and wait until the area feels more comfortable. Then, you can start chewing on both sides.

What Is Normal After a New Dental Crown?

Getting crowns is a dental procedure. Therefore, it is normal to experience some symptoms after that. In this part of the post new crown instructions guide we explain what is normal.

Mild Temperature Sensitivity

The crowned tooth will likely be sensitive to hot or cold foods and drinks for some time after the procedure.

As time passes, this sensitivity becomes less noticeable. However, if it persists or worsens, you must contact your dentist for an evaluation.

Gum Tenderness Around the Crown

The gum around a new crown may feel mildly tender after the procedure, and this is also normal.

Tooth preparation or the removal of excess dental cement around the gumline can affect the gumline and irritate your gums. As the surrounding tissues settle after a while, the tenderness should gradually improve.

Mild Pressure or Awareness of the Crown

Typically, a new crown feels unfamiliar in your mouth because its shape and surface differ from those of your natural tooth.

While this is not strange, it is important that the crown not repeatedly contact the opposing teeth before your other teeth come together. This highlights the importance of getting crowns from an experienced dental team.

As a result, contact your dentist if your bite feels uneven or the crown consistently strikes first.

Temporary Jaw or Injection-Site Soreness

The area where the local anaesthetic was injected, including the injection site and your jaw, may feel mildly sore after getting a crown.

You had to keep your mouth wide open during the procedure, so this is expected. Additionally, the injection itself can cause soreness. This soreness should improve as the affected area recovers.

How Long Does Sensitivity Last After a Crown?

There are three types of sensitivity that patients may experience after getting a crown. Each of them should be treated differently.

Sensitivity That Gradually Improves

Mild sensitivity after getting a crown can be normal, especially when the crowned tooth still has a living pulp. The sensitivity becomes less intense or less frequent over time and indicates that the tooth is settling after treatment.

Sensitivity That Does Not Improve 

Even if you receive a crown through one visit crown treatment, the sensitivity can persist for some time. If you do not notice any improvement in your sensitivity after getting a crown, or if the situation remains unchanged over time, we recommend that you contact your dentist and describe your symptoms.

Also, if the sensitivity interferes with eating or drinking, you should seek an evaluation. This is especially important if the sensitivity becomes more noticeable or persistent.

Severe, Spontaneous or Worsening Pain

This is a more serious situation in which the patient may feel severe pain after getting a crown. Extreme sensitivity is not normal and requires prompt dental evaluation to prevent further issues.

If you experience severe pain without an obvious trigger that disrupts your routine or sleep, contact your dentist. We thoroughly assess these symptoms to determine whether there is an underlying problem with the tooth or crown.

What Can You Eat After Getting a New Crown?

Expect your dentist to explain what foods you can eat in a defined timeframe as part of your post-new-crown instructions. As discussed earlier, dietary recommendations can vary from patient to patient.

That said, this section can also help you get a better understanding of which foods to eat and which to avoid.

Foods That May Be More Comfortable Initially

Soft foods require less chewing. So, they are less likely to irritate the affected tooth or gums after the procedure. Examples include:

• Yogurt
• Scrambled eggs
• Pasta
• Rice
• Soft-cooked vegetables
• Mashed potatoes
• Warm, smooth soup
• Applesauce or other smooth foods

Sticky and Chewy Foods to Limit

Foods like caramel, toffee, chewing gum, sticky candy, and very chewy bread are best limited in your diet after getting a dental crown.

Chewing these foods may put extra pressure on the new crown and can be especially problematic while the tooth and surrounding tissues are still adjusting.

Hard Foods and Objects to Avoid

These foods can jeopardize the new crown and the tooth underneath. That’s why we ask our patients to avoid

• Ice
• Hard candy
• Unpopped popcorn kernels

Besides, some habits can also damage the new crown and should be avoided:

• Chewing on pens
• Biting your fingernails
• Opening packages with your teeth

Any activity or food that places excessive stress on the crown should be avoided.

When Can You Return to Your Normal Diet?

Usually, when the numbness and initial tenderness resolve, you can return to your normal diet. Check with your dentist to ensure the crown feels stable. Your bite should feel comfortable when chewing with the crowned tooth.

Key note: Your dentist’s instructions about post-crown care take priority. Dietary recommendations can vary depending on the procedure, and your dentist is the one who can determine the exact time you can return to your normal diet.

How Should You Brush and Floss Around a New Crown?

Proper brushing and flossing help keep dental crowns in good condition over time. Here, we discuss some practical tips on how you should keep them clean.

Brush Gently Along the Gumline

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush with fluoride toothpaste. Apply light pressure around the affected area, especially if the gums are still tender. Follow your normal oral hygiene routine and brush twice a day.

Floss Around the Crown Every Day

Daily flossing around the crown helps remove plaque and food particles from the crown margin and the adjacent tooth surfaces. Regular flossing also helps protect the gum tissues around the crown and supports good oral hygiene.

Flossing Around a Temporary Crown

A temporary crown needs extra care compared with a permanent crown, since it is not secured as firmly as a permanent crown. That is why, when flossing around it, you should consider these points:

• Slide the floss between the teeth carefully.
• Do not pull the floss upward against the temporary crown.
• Reduce the risk of dislodging the temporary restoration by sliding the floss out sideways.
• Ask your dentist how to clean around the temporary crown.

Do Permanent Crowns Require Special Cleaning? 

Permanent crowns can generally be cared for like natural teeth, using the same brushing and flossing techniques.

However, for some patients, we recommend specific tools, such as interdental brushes or floss threaders, when the crown is part of a bridge or implant-supported restoration. Again, you should follow your dentist’s advice on keeping the permanent crown and surrounding tissues clean.

Why Does My New Crown Feel High or Uneven?

You may feel the new crown is higher or uneven with the rest of your teeth. This section explains how to recognize and address this issue.

Signs the Crown May Be Too High

A new crown can feel strange in your mouth at first. So, the crown may not actually be too high. However, these symptoms can suggest that your bite needs to be checked:

• The crowned tooth contacts before the other teeth when you bite.
• Feeling pain when biting or chewing.
• Excess pressure on the crowned tooth.
• Difficulty or discomfort when chewing.
• New or persistent jaw discomfort.
• An uneven bite even after the local anaesthetic has worn off.

If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your dentist for a bite assessment and any necessary adjustments.

Why an Uneven Bite Should Be Checked

The extra pressure that an uneven bite causes can irritate the tooth and the surrounding supporting tissues, which results in ongoing discomfort. This is the primary reason that your dentist should evaluate and address an uneven bite.

How a Dentist Adjusts the Bite

We check how the crowned tooth contacts the opposing teeth when you close your teeth together. If the crown is contacting too heavily, we address the issue with a minor adjustment to the crown’s surface when clinically appropriate.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Never try to grind or reshape the crown yourself. Correcting bite issues is a sensitive task and requires professional care. DIY can damage the restoration or your tooth.

What Should You Do If the Crown Feels Loose or Falls Off?

If the dental crown feels loose or has come off, do the following:

Stop Chewing on the Crowned Tooth

Avoid chewing on that side of your mouth, as continued pressure can worsen the situation. The crown or the underlying tooth may be at risk, which can make it more difficult to restore.

Save the Crown If It Comes Off 

Do not throw away the fallen crown. Instead, place it in a clean, secure container and bring it to the appointment you booked with your dentist. They can evaluate it to determine whether it can be reused or whether you need a new crown.

Do Not Use Household Glue 

Using superglue or other household adhesives for reattaching a loose or fallen crown is one of the worst mistakes you can make. These products are not designed for use in the mouth. Given that, using them can severely damage the tooth or surrounding tissues, making subsequent professional treatment more complex.

Contact the Dental Office Promptly

Fallen or broken dental crowns need prompt care. So do loose crowns. In these circumstances, seek an Emergency Dentist in North York and let your dentist check:

• The crown for damage.
• The dental cement and how securely it is holding the crown.
• The underlying tooth for damage or sensitivity.
• Signs of tooth decay.
• Any fracture affecting the tooth.
• The fit of the crown and how it contacts the opposing teeth.

When Should You Call the Dentist After Crown Placement?

As discussed above, some symptoms are normal after getting a crown and will gradually resolve over time. That said, it is best to contact your dentist in certain situations.

Contact the Dentist Promptly If You Notice

These symptoms may indicate a serious problem with the crown or the underlying tooth. Contact your dentist for a thorough assessment if you notice them:

• A loose or fallen crown.
• A high or uneven bite.
• Worsening pain.
• Pain that occurs every time you bite.
• Sensitivity that does not improve as time passes.
• Chips or cracks on the crown.
• Food repeatedly becomes trapped around the crown.
• The crown margin feels sharp or causes irritation.

Seek Urgent Dental Care If You Develop

Some signs may indicate more complex problems, such as an infection. We consider these symptoms emergency cases that need urgent dental care if you experience them:

• Facial or jaw swelling
• Fever with dental pain
• Pus or drainage
• A persistent bad taste
• Severe, uncontrolled pain
• Difficulty swallowing or breathing

Temporary Crown vs. Permanent Crown Aftercare

Aftercare requirements for temporary dental crowns differ from permanent crowns. Use the table below for appropriate post-crown instructions for each type:

Care issue	Temporary crown	Permanent crown
Eating	Avoid chewing directly on the crown.	Gradually resume normal eating when comfortable.
Sticky foods	Avoid sticky and chewy foods.	Limit sticky foods for a while.
Flossing	Slide floss out carefully.	Normal flossing.
Longevity	Protects the prepared tooth while the final crown is being made.	Intended to serve as the definitive restoration.
If it moves	Contact your dentist promptly.	Contact your dentist promptly.

Traditional lab-made crowns may require a temporary restoration while permanent crowns are being fabricated.

You can avoid the temporary-crown stage with same-day CEREC treatment, since the permanent restoration is designed and placed during the same visit.

How to Care for Your Dental Crown Long Term

These tips help you increase the longevity of a dental crown:

Maintain Daily Brushing and Interdental Cleaning

Although dental crowns are immune to decay, the natural tooth around the crown’s margins can still develop cavities. As a result, proper cleaning and oral hygiene become more important after getting your tooth crowned.

Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss between your teeth to remove plaque from around the crown.

Attend Regular Dental Exams and Cleanings

Your dentist should monitor the crown and the tooth underneath it regularly. Attend periodic dental exams and professional cleanings so your dental team can check:

• Crown margins for gaps or other concerns.
• Gum health around the restoration.
• Decay affecting the natural tooth beneath the crown.
• Crown wear or damage.
• Your bite and how the crown contacts other teeth.
• The stability of the crown.

Routine dental visits enable early identification of problems. Early detection can help extend the life of a dental crown.

Protect the Crown From Teeth Grinding

Teeth grinding (bruxism) and clenching place excessive pressure on the dental crown. This results in wear or damage over time. Typically, we recommend a professionally fitted night guard for patients with this behavior. A customized night guard protects the crown while you sleep and helps reduce the effects of grinding and clenching.

An ill-fitting guard may not provide adequate protection, so have your dentist assess the fit.

Avoid Using Teeth as Tools

Some habits can damage your teeth and are especially important to avoid after getting a crown:

• Do not chew on ice or pens.
• Do not use your teeth to open packages or bottles.
• Do not bite hard, non-food objects.
• Do not use it for tasks that could strain or damage the restoration.

Overall, using your teeth as tools for tasks they were not designed to perform is harmful.

Report Changes Early

Be aware of how your crowns feel over time and contact your dentist if you notice anything unusual.

Signs such as looseness, new or persistent sensitivity, chipping, gum bleeding, or changes in your bite may indicate that the crown or the surrounding tooth and tissues need to be assessed.

Does Aftercare Differ by Crown Material?

Different materials such as porcelain, zirconia, and porcelain-fused-to-metal have different properties. That said, their basic aftercare is generally similar. No matter the crown material, we advise our patients to focus on:

• Controlling plaque buildup.
• Proper chewing habits.
• Regular dental checkups.
• Avoiding excessive pressure when biting.

Learn more about choosing the right crown material on our Porcelain Crowns in North York page.

Contact Empress Walk Dental About a New Crown Concern

In this comprehensive guide, we walked you through all aspects of post-new-crown care. You now have a clearer idea of what is normal and which signs require prompt dental attention.

If you need any help regarding your dental crowns, our team at Empress Walk Dental can help. If you are in North York and your new crown feels loose, interferes with your bite, causes pain or ongoing sensitivity, contact us to schedule a crown assessment.

FAQs

Feel free to ask any questions you have about your new crown in the comments below. Our dental team will be happy to answer your questions.