Before treatment the molar might have a filling or a crack that has taken away too much of its strength. A tooth that has had root canal treatment can also need a crown because it has lost some of its toughness.<\/p>\r\n
Yes the tooth might look pretty ordinary from the outside. That doesn’t mean it’s fine underneath.<\/p>\r\n
\u2022 A area, especially one that catches food can become a daily irritation even when the pain comes and goes.<\/p>\r\n
\u2022 Large old fillings sometimes leave little strong tooth behind which is where a crown starts making sense.<\/p>\r\n
\u2022 No major pain all. That sounds reassuring. A weak molar can still fracture without much warning.<\/p>\r\n
Your dentist first removes damaged tooth material. Shapes the remaining tooth so the crown can fit over it securely. The tooth is numbed so you shouldn’t feel the drilling itself although you’ll definitely know somebody is working there.<\/p>\r\n
After the tooth is prepared your dentist takes an impression or a digital scan. A temporary crown usually protects the tooth while the permanent one is being made.<\/p>\r\n
The temporary crown can feel strange at first. Your bite may seem off and the tooth can feel different when you chew. Give it a time.<\/p>\r\n
Honestly that’s pretty typical. You notice it because you’re looking for it.<\/p>\r\n
Once the permanent crown is fitted and adjusted the goal is simple: it should feel like part of your tooth. A good crown shouldn’t constantly remind you that it’s there.<\/p>\r\n
\u2022 Your bite should feel settled after any needed adjustments though the tooth may feel an unfamiliar at first.<\/p>\r\n
\u2022 Chewing usually feels easier once you’re past the stage and the permanent crown is properly fitted.<\/p>\r\n
The trick is not to treat the crown like a cap. It still needs brushing and flossing and chewing very hard things with it is a bad habit. Your natural tooth underneath still matters.<\/p>\r\n
A molar crown is mainly about getting a tooth back into a useful shape and protecting whats left. The visual change can be nice. The bigger win is much less exciting.<\/p>\r\n
You bite down without thinking about it.<\/p>\r\n