UPDATE: if you've had a tooth capped/crowned....

[Deleted]

what is the experience like?  I am having my first tooth capped this month.  I have an appointment this afternoon where I think they will do the tooth mold and then I'll have another appointment where they "install" it.  lol.  Do they give you an anesthesia shot?  Is there drilling involved?  I hate going to the dentist for anything outside a cleaning!

UPDATE: well the worst part is over and I have my temporary crown. It's a new sensation but really not bad at all.  Everything went smoothly during the procedure and the novocaine kept away pain but I'm not gonna lie - it was still uncomfortable.  I did wear earbuds during the procedure so thanks for that tip!  I think the worst part was the smell - totally freaked me out at first!!!  I thought I'd be in pain after the shot wore off but I'm not experiencing any pain at all, so that's really good!!  I go back next week to have the impression made and then 2 weeks later I'll have the permanent crown put in.  He didn't do the impression yesterday b/c he felt my gums needed a break.

He did point out that I have another place that needs a crown and possibly a third but I am in absolutely no hurry to go through this again.  Once a year is about all I can handle! 

Thanks for all the advice yesterday!

[gtkim]

I have 6 crowns. 

Yes, you will need anesthesia.  I promise you this sounds worse than it is.  They will take a tooth mold, and then they basically drill the tooth down to a nub.  You will get a temporary crown today and then you will go back in a few weeks to get the permanent one.

[decoraholic]

I just had one done. I'm surprised they didn't tell you up front what to expect! Not gonna lie, it was not a fun process. They make a mold of your old tooth, drill your tooth down most of the way, then put on a temporary crown. When you go back for your permanent, they just pop of the temporary and cement on the permanent, so the second visit is easy. In the first visit, they drill off practically your entire tooth. They do give local anesthetic, the same type you would get with something like a filling.

[munkii]

The most unnerving part will be them grinding the existing tooth down. They'll probably give you anesthesia. This website gives a pretty good explanation: www.animated-teeth.com/dental_crowns/t4_dental_crowns_steps.htm. Also, it will take more than one visit.

[Deleted]

OMG. Ladies, I'm skeered now!

[Blueper]

I'm getting my gold "baller" molar tomorrow. The experience is just like what gtkim said.
The worst parts for me were
-Getting the novacaine injection. A tip for managing the injection is to count backwards from 100 (your brain supposedly registers less pain when you are focused on something).
-My dentist put this nasty tasting thread around my tooth to prevent my blood from gushing everywhere. I was unable to wait for the DH to suction the taste out of my mouth so I ended up sitting up and spitting all over my bib to get rid of the taste.
-They drill... The whole tooth off!
-You can request to be gassed if dental work makes you queesy
-The worst part was the bill.

ETA- call your dentist if you have pain lasting over 3 days.

[decoraholic]

Don't be too worried

It's pretty routine for them. I don't want to scare you, but the big worry they told me is to make sure you don't experience random, painful throbbing after they put in the temporary. Some pain when chewing is normal, but if it's waking you up at night or hurting without reason, let them know. If it seems to hurt more than you think it should after, call them. They might need to adjust the height of it.

[Deleted]

Thanks for the advice ladies. I'll try to be calm. I have had fillings done before but it's been years since my last filling (which is good!) and I've honestly forgotten what it's like. I just remember I hate that drill!! Should I get some Orajel, or can he give me something for pain? Also I guess I need to plan on eating pretty soft foods, huh.

[teeah22]

I'm a dentist, I promise we're not drilling the whole tooth off! We remove about 2mm of tooth all the way around and off the top. Yes, it looks like a nub but it's supposed to look like that. You shouldn't feel anything while it's going on, if you do then let them know so they can give you more anesthetic. They most likely won't mind if you want to bring headphones and listen to music, I think that helps people relax. Also if your jaw gets tired from staying open, ask if they have a bite block (or mouth prop), it's basically a wedge of rubber that holds your mouth open and allows you to rest your jaw. Plan on about an hour and a half, but the actual drilling part will only take around 20 minutes usually.

[Deleted]

Jan 23, 2013 10:52:37 GMT -5 teeah22 said:

I'm a dentist, I promise we're not drilling the whole tooth off! We remove about 2mm of tooth all the way around and off the top. Yes, it looks like a nub but it's supposed to look like that. You shouldn't feel anything while it's going on, if you do then let them know so they can give you more anesthetic. They most likely won't mind if you want to bring headphones and listen to music, I think that helps people relax. Also if your jaw gets tired from staying open, ask if they have a bite block (or mouth prop), it's basically a wedge of rubber that holds your mouth open and allows you to rest your jaw. Plan on about an hour and a half, but the actual drilling part will only take around 20 minutes usually.

Thank you for the info Teeah!!  I never would have thought to take headphones.  I will definitely be doing that!!

Are crowns truly permanent?  I won't need to have it redone in 20 years will I (barring some kind of damage to the cap)?

[teeah22]

Jan 23, 2013 11:06:43 GMT -5 downtonali said:

Jan 23, 2013 10:52:37 GMT -5 teeah22 said:

I'm a dentist, I promise we're not drilling the whole tooth off! We remove about 2mm of tooth all the way around and off the top. Yes, it looks like a nub but it's supposed to look like that. You shouldn't feel anything while it's going on, if you do then let them know so they can give you more anesthetic. They most likely won't mind if you want to bring headphones and listen to music, I think that helps people relax. Also if your jaw gets tired from staying open, ask if they have a bite block (or mouth prop), it's basically a wedge of rubber that holds your mouth open and allows you to rest your jaw. Plan on about an hour and a half, but the actual drilling part will only take around 20 minutes usually.

Thank you for the info Teeah!!  I never would have thought to take headphones.  I will definitely be doing that!!

Are crowns truly permanent?  I won't need to have it redone in 20 years will I (barring some kind of damage to the cap)?

They are totally NOT permanent, a good lifespan for a crown is 7-10 years.  Some can last 20 or 30 years but that's more the exception than the norm.  The main reason for replacement is recurrent decay, meaning that a cavity starts where the crown meets up with the tooth.  Make sure you brush and more importantly floss well around it, most recurrent decay that I see happens in between the teeth.  The better you take care of it (and your teeth in general) the longer it will last.

[emoflamingo]

Teeah to the rescue!

I had one done, it's not too bad. I am definitely skittish of the dentist, but the crown wasn't as bad as I expected. I am not a fan of the shots, but I live through them somehow. I try to avoid the one right in the spot where my lower jaw meets the upper because it made me cry. I actually have a little panic attack when I realize they'll be doing that shot.

[Deleted]

Emo, you must have a pretty sensitive mouth, as do I. My mouth hurts just thinking about getting a shot in that area. Ouuuch! Hopefully it won't have to go back quite that far.

I'll post an update tomorrow. Right now I'm thinking I should stop off and have a drink before my appointment!  :drink:

[thewop]

Teeah, I have a crown on my front tooth that is 11 years old (one of my 2 front teeth). I brush (2x) and floss (1x) daily. I haven't had any issues that I know of. How will I know if it needs to be replaced? Will it just....fall off? Will the process of it being done the first time be similar to the second? Eek!

[emoflamingo]

I am also a pansy lol. My mouth is really small so it is hard to get 2 hands and all the requires tools in there. I had 4 teeth pulled and will need more done if I want to realign my teeth -- again. Stupid retainers!

[Deleted]

Jan 23, 2013 12:23:33 GMT -5 emoflamingo said:

I am also a pansy lol. My mouth is really small so it is hard to get 2 hands and all the requires tools in there. I had 4 teeth pulled and will need more done if I want to realign my teeth -- again. Stupid retainers!

I have a really small mouth too.  It's actually sore when I leave the dentist after a cleaning because I've been stretching to hold it open the whole time.  I've also had braces to correct an overbite....twice.  And they've already realigned themselves to pre-braces state since my last set came off in 1991. I feel like I have freakin' buck teeth and can't do anything about it!  Other people probably don't notice it but naturally I do. 

[pitterwoo]

this thread made my heart race, tied my stomach in knots and made my hands clammy. I'm more terrified of the dentist than I thought.

[teeah22]

Jan 23, 2013 11:44:57 GMT -5 thewop said:

Teeah, I have a crown on my front tooth that is 11 years old (one of my 2 front teeth). I brush (2x) and floss (1x) daily. I haven't had any issues that I know of. How will I know if it needs to be replaced? Will it just....fall off? Will the process of it being done the first time be similar to the second? Eek!

If there's an issue with decay on it then most likely they'll see it on an xray.  Falling off isn't common but it does happen.  Or the porcelain will break.  There's not really an expiration date on them so if it's still looking and functioning ok then it's fine!

[emjacobs]

I had a horrible experience with mine but it was at fault of the dentist not because of the fact that I needed a crown. While the dentist was putting my crown on he over cemented and also cemented the crown to the tooth next to it. He decided (verbally) to let the cement dry before getting it out and then tried to use floss to "saw" through the cement. He ended up "sawing" through 1/2" of my cheek before the nurse told him he had to stop. Unfortunately this experience has completely freaked me out from going to the dentist and I get anxiety attacks thinking about going. I know I have cavities, and probably would need another root canal but I'm too much of a wimp and I don't have dental insurance.

[emoflamingo]

Em, have you looked into the places that specialize in helping people with anxiety re: the dentist? I know there's a place near here (not here lol but close by -- I hear it on the radio station a few cities away) that works with patients who have dental-related anxiety.

And now MY heart is racing from your story. Poor thing.

[emjacobs]

My dentist office (which I love, he had an associate dentist which is the one that was the problem) does do sedation dentistry and will work with anxieties which is what I will do if needed, the biggest hold up right now is I need to get dental insurance because teeth are expensive!

[Deleted]

Thanks for all the advice yesterday. Here's an update!

UPDATE: well the worst part is over and I have my temporary crown. It's a new sensation but really not bad at all. Everything went smoothly during the procedure and the novocaine kept away pain but I'm not gonna lie - it was still uncomfortable. I did wear earbuds during the procedure so thanks for that tip! I think the worst part was the smell - totally freaked me out at first!!! I thought I'd be in pain after the shot wore off but I'm not experiencing any pain at all, so that's really good!! I go back next week to have the impression made and then 2 weeks later I'll have the permanent crown put in. He didn't do the impression yesterday b/c he felt my gums needed a break.

He did point out that I have another place that needs a crown and possibly a third but I am in absolutely no hurry to go through this again. Once a year is about all I can handle!