Dental crowns restore damaged teeth or replace missing teeth for a beautiful smile. The procedure for getting crowns is straightforward and pain-free. However, you must take certain precautions afterwards to avoid damaging or dislocating the tooth cap. Find out how long you must wait before eating after the procedure for dental crowns in Park Ridge, IL.

What Are Dental Crowns?

They are artificial caps that fit over damaged or flawed teeth to restore their look or function. Crowns can also help restore missing teeth when attached to implants or bridges. They can be made from materials like porcelain, resin, metal alloys, or ceramics. These caps are custom-made to resemble surrounding teeth in color, shape, and size for a uniform appearance.

When Can I Eat After a Dental Crown Is Cemented in Place?

When getting dental crowns in Park Ridge, IL, the dentist will place a customized crown over the flawed tooth. They will attach it to the tooth using dental cement. It takes approximately an hour for the adhesive to dry properly. However, some modern types of dental cement take a shorter time to dry. In addition, the dentist may use a special light to dry the cement faster.

You must wait until it hardens before eating or drinking anything. Eating while the cement is not correctly set can interfere with the crown’s position. It can also dislodge the cap completely. In addition, the adhesive will interfere with the food’s taste. Therefore, you should wait an hour or as long as your dentist recommends before eating or drinking.

What Can I Eat After a Dental Crown Procedure?

What you eat after getting a dental crown varies on the procedure by the dentist near you. If the crown is cemented on a tooth that is not broken or weak, you can eat almost everything. It is because there will be minor discomfort around the tooth after treatment.

However, if you have a root canal treatment and crown placement, your gums will be sore, tender, and swollen. Therefore, you will have difficulty chewing for the first few days. You may also have sensitivity preventing you from taking cold or hot foods and drinks.

Therefore, you should eat soft foods once the anesthetic is worn off after crown placement. They must be at room temperature to avoid tooth sensitivity. When eating, chew with the side of your mouth opposite the new crown. It will help prevent discomfort or dislodging of the tooth cap. Some of the foods you can eat after a dental crown procedure are:

  • Shakes and smoothies filled with nutrients
  • Noodles and pasta
  • Jell-o and pudding
  • Eggs
  • Dairy products
  • Soups and stews

Foods to Avoid After a Dental Crown Procedure

You should avoid hard, sticky, or chewy foods for the first few days after the procedure. They can pull the crown interfering with its position or damaging it. Hard foods can also increase the discomfort in your gum and damage the tooth beneath the cap. Some foods to avoid include:

  • Cold foods and ice
  • Hard fruits and veggies
  • Nuts and grains
  • Chewy and hard candy
  • Dried fruits and raisins

Can a Crown Be Repaired if Damaged While Eating?

You may accidentally break or displace your new crown while eating. Fortunately, it is possible to repair a crown if it is damaged. The first thing you should do is, retrieve the crown or any pieces that have become unattached to the tooth. After that, rinse the area with warm water to eliminate debris.

Next, contact the dentist in Park Ridge and explain the impact on your crowned tooth. They will set up an appointment and advise you on taking care of the crown and mouth. If the visit is for the next day, you can eat soft foods or a liquid diet.

The dentist will repair a chipped, broken, or fractured crown with a material that resembles it in color. It ensures the crown retains its natural appearance. If there is significant damage to the tooth beneath the crown, they will remove it. The dentist will restore the tooth and place a new crown over it. However, they will extract the tooth if it is severely damaged.

Dental crowns are one of the most successful and effective dental restorations today. So, schedule an appointment to get dental crowns at Complete Health Dentistry of Park Ridge.