Does getting a tooth capped hurt much? **UPDATE**

[SeaSpray]

I had a root canal on my left front tooth 16 years ago and over the years it has darkened to the point where it is now very noticable. (You can see a pic of how bad it looks if you go to my web site and click on the "Typhoon Lagoon" link in my "WDW May 2001" pics, it's the first pic on the Typhoon Lagoon page, a close up pic of DH and I). Anyway...I have made the appts to finally get this tooth fixed. The dentist can't put a veneer over it because there's a slight crack in the back of the tooth, so they need to cap it. I know it'll take 2 appts; at the first appt they'll file the tooth down, take impressions (or maybe they do this before they file the tooth? I don't know), then put a temporary cap on it. This appt will take about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Then a couple of weeks later I will go back for a 1/2 hour appt, during which he'll put the permanent cap on. Will any of this hurt?? I really have a phobia of dentists, which is why I haven't had this done until now. Since the tooth has had a root canal I know there won't be pain in the tooth itself, but will it hurt my gumline to have this new tooth (cap) installed?? Any experiences or info is greatly appreciated!

**UPDATE May 18, 2004**

Hi everyone

I had the first appt this morning and I now have the temporary cap in place. I have to say, I was pretty nervous when I walked into the dentist's office this morning, but the assistant was very nice and very reassuring. The dentist was very gentle and explained everything in detail as he was working. It was a front tooth, so it was easy for him access, and I was out of his office in just over an hour. In 2 weeks I'll go back and he'll put the permanent cap in place, which he said will be a much shorter visit.

I want to thank everyone for their encouragement and for sharing their experiences, when I first posted this thread

 

[cgcw]

I've had a couple done. While I won't say it hurts, to me it's not a pleasant experience.

I don't like any type of work done with my teeth -- even a cleaning bothers me. I just kind of try and zone out while I'm there, sitting in the chair.

The last one I had done for a cracked tooth. When the permanent cap went on, my bite didn't feel right. Turned out it was a bit too raised for my mouth. The dentist had to file the other teeth down just a tad to correct the problem.

By now means, did it hurt.

I hope it goes smoothly.

 

[RNMOM]

Lets just say I have so many I have lost count. If you have a good dentist, you won't mind it a bit. They need to numb it no matter what just to make you more comfortable. It is tedious to keep your mouth open for the tooth reshaping. They do the impressions after they have it formed for the crown. Putting the crown on is a piece of cake... Just an adhesive and placement with maybe a little polishing to adjust it to your bite.

Relax, it is very easy and hardly uncomfortable at all.

 

[Mary Ellen]

Shouldn't hurt, you've had a root canal - NO nerve. You won't need any novocaine. I've had a number of root canals/caps. Maybe because my dentist LOVES doing root canals, but I've never had any pain.

Having impressions made of molars isn't the most fun (but not painful), but since yours sounds like a front tooth, shouldn't be a problem.

 

[nativetxn]

I have several capped teeth. The only painful part about the process, for <i>me</i>, was the injections of anesthetic. Otherwise they are pretty easy procedures.

 

[tiggersmom2]

SeaSpray,
Relax it WON'T hurt. You will get a shot - it will feel like a mosquito bite - and you will be numb. The rest is a piece of cake. I have six crowns on my anterior teeth and it was a piece of cake!

I do suggest taking a portable CD player with your favorite music with you. It makes the whole experience that much easier!

 

[buzzlady]

I just had a cap started on Tues. The process only took about 40 - 45 mins. I had novacane (sp?) and it didn't hurt at all. They take the impression after they file the tooth. The dentist did tell me that my gum may bother me for a few days. I do have a spot on my gum that is bothering me. It feels like it's cut. Mostly hurts when I eat something salty or acidic. For the 1st day or two, it will feel like there is very light pressure and that the cap doesn't fit the spot, but it's not a real bothersome feel. The temp cap doesn't match the color of my teeth at all but the perm. cap will. I think that this is my 4th cap and I haven't had any problems with any of them. Good luck and it really isn't that bad.

The MOST painful part is having to pay for it.

 

[sha_lyn]

since you've had a root canal it shouldn't hurt much at all. the only painful part might be when (if) they have to pack cord around the tooth at the gum line. They need to do this to get a good fit for the crown, but it is IMHO more painful than the actual work on a tooth. It also tends to take a few days for the gum to heal.

 

[aprilgail2]

Doesn't hurt much at all...likethe previous poster said it was the cord part that was the worst....otherwise not bad. I can't believe that your dentist did a root canal and not a crown at the same time though all those years ago....once you havea root canal done the tooth is basically dead and it will turn colors or worse it will break when you are eating something and if that happens and it breaks the wrong way there may not be enough of the tooth left to put a crown on. Since it is a tooth that had a root canal you are also going to need to have a post put in. I have 6 crowns and 5 root canals. The thing I would never do again is let them put on a crown without a root canal. Last time they had to remove the crown to do the root canal so I needed to pay for another new crown (I have roots that are at a weird angel so they couldn't just drill through and do it.)

 

[lindajo]

I have had several crowns done, some with novacaine, some without. ( I REALLY hate the injections more than the drilling, but now I get the novacaine to make my DENTIST feel more comfortable-he is sooooo concerned about the pain!) I haven't had a root canal, but from what I understand there is no nerve to hurt in the tooth. I have never had any discomfort on my gums due to the treatment. I would suggest that if you are nervous about the procedure, to ask for the gas to relax you. (Nitros Oxide?) Anyway, it gives you the nicest little buzz to relax you, and you won't mind anything they do to you! Some insurance policies don't cover it, but it would still be worth it to make you feel more comfortable. And just think about how nice your teeth will look after you have it all done!!
Good Luck!!

 

[gravymom]

It's probably gonna hurt your wallet more than your mouth!

 

[SeaSpray]

Thanks everyone. Hopefully it won't hurt. That cord wrapping doesn't sound very pleasant at all. It'll definitely be worth it once it's all done, I keep telling myself.

 

[SeaSpray]

*bumping for the update*

 

[MickeysMommy]

to you. I'd rather go to the gynecologist than the dentist.

 

[SeaSpray]

Originally posted by MickeysMommy
to you. I'd rather go to the gynecologist than the dentist.

Thanks! Believe me, I feel the same way. That's why this was such a big deal for me. I'm SO relieved to have this done though. The "hard part" was done today, in 2 weeks he said it's very simple for him to put the permanent cap on. I'm hoping he's right.

 

[sha_lyn]

gluing in the pernamant cap is very easy. you've survived the hard part. Did they have to pack cord for a front tooth?

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

Originally posted by sha_lyn
gluing in the pernamant cap is very easy. you've survived the hard part. Did they have to pack cord for a front tooth?

Oh, I remember that part-the cord packing-that was uncomfortable....

 

[lsyorke]

I had a root canal done 2 weeks ago. Now here I am two weeks later with a piece of cotton in the hole since everytime they put a filling in it the pressure is unbearable. The tooth is supposedly dead, but I get pain the the upper jaw and referred pain to the back of the bottom jaw. I'm so fed up with this!!
Since everyone here seems to have experience with root canals, when do I pack this in and have them pull the tooth?? The x-ray always looks fine, canal is clean, but still have discomfort.

HELP!!

 

[Mary Ellen]

I'm SO sorry you're in pain. I don't have any advise as my 5 (6?) root canals have all been painless. We keep hearing how painful they are, but our DDS does a WONDERFUL job (DH has had a few also). Our dentist LOVES doing root canals and I guess it shows.

Good Luck

 

[SeaSpray]

Originally posted by sha_lyn
gluing in the pernamant cap is very easy. you've survived the hard part. Did they have to pack cord for a front tooth?

Would he have done that part already? If so, then no, he didn't have to pack cord or anything around the tooth. In fact, they gave me a shot of novacaine so that he could get close to my gumline and file it down so that the cap (both temp and then permanent) will fit nice and close to my gumline. So maybe that's why he didn't have to wrap cord?? Yikes, I sure hope this isn't something he'll have to do when I go in 2 weeks for the permanent cap!!