Post-Operative Care

Dental caps are the most common procedures adopted to protect the damaged, decayed, or root canal-treated tooth. These dental caps also known as crowns then protect the tooth from further damage by regulating harmful elements.

Dental caps are placed over the tooth covering it fully. To do this, your dentist will schedule two appointments to carry out two different procedures. After the first procedure, you are placed with the temporary cap and after the final visit; you will leave with a permanent cap. For most people, dental crowns may be scary, but it doesn’t have to be!

We at Dr. Jaydev’s dental clinic, clearly explain to you;

What are you going to get?

Why do you need to get it? And

How are you going to get it?

So, once you are clear with things, we hope you will be free from the regular anxiety about the treatment procedures.

In this blog, we would like to clarify all about permanent dental caps and their post-operative care.

Table of Contents

The first question that strikes you when a doctor recommended dental caps is

Are they a permanent solution for you?

It is a quite common question you must ask your dentist before you get into the process and it is correct to ask and KNOW!

We say that dental crowns are not permanent but are a long-term solution if proper post-operative care is taken.

The lifespan of a dental cap/crown is between 5 to 10 Years, says Dr.Jaydev.

What is a Temporary & Permanent Dental Cap?

Temporary Dental Cap

This is usually placed during the initial procedure. To begin with the dental cap, your tooth needs to be shaped right to make it fit. Your tooth will be numbed in this procedure and the process takes about an hour and not more than 2 hours.

Once the tooth is prepped, our dentists either take the impression of the tooth or 3-D model the tooth to structure the permanent cap.

After the impressions are captured, it takes around 2 to 3 weeks for you to get your permanent tooth.

Permanent Dental Cap

This is the final procedure where your permanent dental cap made from either Gold, Porcelain, Zirconia & a ZMAX Smile, or Emax is placed.

First, the temporary cap is taken off and the tooth is cleaned. Next, the permanent cap is tried on the tooth to check its alignment and fixings. The dentist ensures the proper fixing of the permanent cap and its alignment with other teeth while chewing. Then necessary, adjustments will be made if required. Finally, the dental cap is cemented to make it permanently fixed.

Post-operative care is nothing but the measures to follow after each procedure associated with oral or dental health. Right healing at the right time makes the effect last longer. As dental caps serve many purposes right from bringing aesthetics to fixing injured teeth, taking proper care of them is a priority to consider.

Why is it necessary?

Every dentist will specify the post-operative measures to follow by every individual concerning their levels of treatment. Below are the well-voiced reasons to make a perfect post-operative routine after the dental cap placement.

Prevent discomfort or infection –

Use dentist-prescribed medicines or anti-inflammatories to relieve the pain. For some, antibiotics were also directed for use.

Improves success rate of the procedures –

For any treatment to be successful or long-lasting, proper personal care and hygiene are to be maintained by the individual. Though your dentist provided the most advanced treatment, it is all your concern to successfully heal.

Signs that you are out of recovery track post-operation

Sensitivity is not normal

For a few days after cementation, you will be sensitive to cold and heat. This sensitivity is to be tolerated only for a few weeks, say 2. Usually, sensitivity at this moment will be due to the teeth recovering after all the cavities are removed. It may also be due to the chemicals used during the procedures. But, if you notice this sensitivity crossing the limit of tolerance, consult your dentist immediately.

Improper fit of your new restoration

You know how your jaw structure is and how it moves to your chews. After the dental cap, there will be no change in this once the cap is well cemented and stuck to. But, if you notice any position change while your jaw is at rest or while chewing the food, let your dentist know and readjust it.

Factors that Determine Dental Crown Longevity

Do the cap cemented on the front or rear teeth.
The size of the cap whether partial or full.
Quality of cap manufacturing material and installation.
Condition of the tooth under the cap.
Strength and frequency of oral hygiene routine.
Harmful habits like chewing ice, nails, etc.
Periodontal health.

Post-Operative care for permanent Cap:

As we made it clear that the final stage of the dental cap is to cement it to well adhere to the tooth. Allowing it to settle and stick hard is the key to preventing further tilts in it. To make this easier, do not eat or drink anything for about 30 minutes.

Here, the first thing you may face is pressure sense on other teeth which will vanish in a couple of days after the dental cap makes its place to fit.

Some of the simple aftercare procedures are;

Avoid chewy foods like gums, meat, and other hard-to-chew foods.
Put less force on the tooth while eating. Choose soft foods like fruit or well-cooked foods.
Clean the gums well to avoid internal infections.
Remember to rinse teeth with salt water to fight sensitivity to heat or cold

Along with these, follow the below procedures to retain the teeth’ strength and cap placement.

Brush around Crowns

The crown is just like a cover over your natural teeth that protects teeth. As it is connected to the natural tooth, proper cleaning is required to avoid further cavities. Tooth decay has good scope to form at the crown margin where it meets the natural tooth and gums. So, brush the tooth to clean the gum line well. Again, do not brush hard, be gentle and proper.

Floss regularly

Flossing helps in removing the stacked food items between the natural teeth and dental cap. This will prevent the cavity from being formed. Use a water flosser to effectively clean the accumulated particles. Brush and floss your crown daily, just as you would your natural teeth.

Dr. Jaydev dental clinic Advantage

At Dr. Jaydev’s dental clinic, we provide individualized treatment with all the necessary equipment and advanced procedures. All our dentists and orthodontists have accredited practitioners with vast experience. They ensure utmost care before, during, and after the procedures.

Quick book your appointment or call us now to get your doubts cleared.

# Frequently Asked Questions

Get Every Single Answer About The Treatment

1. Why is there a need for a dental cap?

Whether it is a temporary cap or a permanent cap, dental caps are to protect the teeth from cracks, and decays and make the smile look brighter.

2. Can I eat after surgery or dental cap placement?

Adequate food intake is important after surgery. But, as it is something related to teeth and gums, it is advisable to cautiously take the food only after the prescribed time post-operation. Prefer to have some chewy foods and fluids for the beginning days.

3. Can teeth be brushed like normal teeth post-treatment?

You cannot brush your teeth on the day of crown cementation. But you can gently brush your teeth as normal. If you still have the pain, you can rinse your teeth with salt water which also aids in healing. Do not use commercial mouthwashes as they may harm the cementation.

4. Are there any alternatives for dental crowns?

Dental crowns/caps may not be the permanent solution but are the long-lasting solutions to prefer. However, these may not be suitable for all the cases, inlays and Onlays can be considered. Both are also durable choices.

5. Are there any risks associated with dental caps?

There are very few risks with dental caps which may not be common or applicable for all. Some people may experience allergic reactions which completely depend on the quality of manufacturing materials of the dental cap used. Another risk factor is, that a layer of the natural teeth enamel is wiped in the process of teeth filing before cap cementation.

6. Do we need to undergo root canal treatment to place the cap?

Mostly Yes

7. Will the dental cap match that of the natural teeth color?

Yes. The dental crown is first designed with the 3-D modeling of your natural teeth color and texture.

8. Will we have tooth decays for crowned teeth?

Usually, crowns will be made from some external materials, unlike natural teeth. So crowns have no chances of decay. But the natural teeth beneath the crown may be prone to decay if no proper hygiene or post-operative measures were followed.

Post-Operative Care – After Placing Permanent Cap