A “crown” is a type of dental restoration that serves as a “cap” that fits directly over the natural tooth structure. This type of restoration is necessary when there is no longer enough natural tooth structure for a filling to stand-alone and function properly due to a large amount of decay (cavity).
When you get a dental crown, the dentist will make sure that you are numb and comfortable by using a local anesthetic. This is typical with dental work and nothing to be afraid of! The dentist will “prep” the tooth by carving out any decay and making a small “stump” of a natural tooth so that when the crown is made it will fit directly over the natural tooth. After the crown is made it will be “fitted” to match your adjacent teeth and your bite so that the crown fits naturally when you are “biting” together.
If for any reason you have a headache, after receiving your crown this could very likely be a result from the drilling that was done to the crowned tooth or your bite may be off slightly. Teeth have ligaments and when under local anesthetic we don’t feel anything until after the local anesthetic has worn off, which can cause a slight discomfort or headache afterwards. Additionally, any time our bite is off (even if it is off by just a hair), it can trigger sensitivity, jaw pain or even a slight headache.
If you have a headache after receiving a dental crown, if you are able, you can take an over-the-counter pain medication for relief. If you notice that the headache is persistent for more than a day or is keeping you awake at night, call the dentist immediately to be seen. This way, the dentist can check your new crown to make sure it is fitting and aligned properly and can be adjusted to fit normally in the mouth.
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If you have received a crown recently and something just doesn’t feel right or if you have had a persistent headache, please contact our office here or call us at (303)-232-1830 immediately so that we can get you in as soon as possible to be seen. Thank you!
