Whenever you have dental work done, your tooth may feel a bit off for a day or so. However, your bite should feel normal again quickly. If you have a crown put in, you may wonder whether or not it is normal for said crown to feel fake or if this means that there is something wrong. In truth, it depends. Here is what you need to know about adjusting to your new crown and when you should go back to the dentist to have the crown looked at.
How Long Does It Take To Adjust To A Dental Crown?
If your crown feels fake for the first couple of days, this is normal. A crown is a restoration, which requires a procedure in order to put in. While dental crowns are customized to fit your mouth, when you first have one put in, you may experience some sensitivity and irritation. Your crown may feel fake for a week or two as you adjust to your restored bite.
You should experience improvement each day following the procedure. You may need to be a bit careful for the first few days with what you eat and drink and how you brush and floss, but everything should feel more and more normal as the days go by.
However, if you do not notice improvements, this could indicate a complication. You will want to talk to your dentist about this.
Should Your Crown Feel Fake?
When you first have a crown put it, it may feel very fake for a couple of days to a couple of weeks. It may feel bulky and it may take some adjusting to get used to your improved bite. However, over time, you should adjust and your crown should feel normal.
You should not be able to notice your crown. Many people even forget that they have a crown due to the measures taken to ensure that it both looks and functions like a natural tooth. If your crown still feels fake after a couple of weeks, you will want to discuss this with your dentist. It may not be properly fitted to your mouth or it may need some reshaping.
So, in short: no, your crown should not feel fake after you have had it for a while. You should be able to forget that it is there. Even while you are adjusting to your crown, you should be able to close your mouth like normal and you shouldn’t be in pain.
Do Crowns Feel Different From Natural Teeth?
The material that a crown is made out of can affect how it feels in your mouth. All crowns are customized to fit your mouth and checked for proper bite and slides. They should feel comfortable and natural in your mouth.
Your natural teeth have a small amount of flex and bend to them. This means that porcelain crowns may feel a tiny bit different from the rest of your teeth, since they do not have the ability to flex. Metal and alloy crowns can have some flex to them, like natural teeth. However, regardless of the type of crown that you have, it should fit and feel like a natural tooth.
Your dentist will check your crown for proper alignment and fit. If you call your dentist and tell them that your crown feels fake when you have just gotten it, they will likely tell you to give it some time. In many cases, people adjust and then forget that the crown is there.
However, if your crown feels very off, it could be improperly fitted or there could be another underlying issue. If you have not adjusted to your new crown after a week or two, you can go back to the dentist to have it checked.
Signs That Your Crown May Not Be Properly Fitted
If your crown is not properly fitted, it can feel fake and you can experience other problems. Some of the signs that you may need to get a better fit include:
- Your bite feels off.
- There is pressure on the neighboring teeth.
- Food gets stuck around the crown.
- The crown is loose.
- The crown comes off.
- Chewing is painful or inefficient.
- Your gums are red and inflamed.
If your crown is not fitted correctly, your dentist should notice this and correct the problems before you even know. However, if problems develop after you have gone home from the dentist, you will want to let them know.
In the event that your dentist tells you there is nothing wrong or you are doubtful about what they tell you, it never hurts to get a second opinion. What one dentist misses, another can catch and fix.
David G. Johnson, DDS, provides expert endodontic services. We will help you however we can with your crowns after root canals. Contact us today at either our Layton or our Centerville location to learn more about our endodontic services.
