After getting dental crowns, many people wonder how long it takes to eat normally again. This is a very practical question as it directly affects daily life. Depending on individual body constitution and the dentist’s technique, the recovery time for chewing function will vary. This article, with professional advice from My Auris Dental Clinic, will guide you on how to identify the safe time to eat after getting crowns and important considerations to help your teeth stabilize quickly and reduce potential risks.
How Long Does Dental Crown Treatment Take?
The average time for dental crown treatment typically ranges from 2 to 5 days, depending on the number of teeth to be crowned, oral health condition, and the technology available at the clinic. For cases involving 1–3 teeth, the treatment time can be shortened to just 2–3 days. If full-arch dental crowns or complete restorations are performed, the process can take 5–7 days.
Additionally, some dental clinics utilizing modern CAD/CAM technology can design and place dental crowns within 1 day. However, this technique is not applicable to all cases, especially for individuals with weak teeth, those requiring root canal treatment, or meticulous bite adjustments.
The time for dental crown treatment also depends on:
- Current dental condition: If root canal treatment, gum inflammation treatment, or bite adjustment is needed beforehand, it will take a few extra days.
- Dentist’s skill and lab’s working process: How quickly the lab fabricates the crowns directly impacts the timeline.
- Number of dental crowns: More teeth mean a longer procedure time.
How Long Until You Can Eat Normally After Getting Dental Crowns?
How long after getting dental crowns can you eat normally again? After 24 hours, most clients can resume normal eating, especially if zirconia crowns are used – a type known for high strength and excellent biocompatibility. In reality, the time it takes to resume chewing depends on each stage of the dental restoration process and the degree of compatibility between the dental crowns and each individual’s body.
Initial Stage: After Temporary Crown Placement
Immediately after tooth preparation, clients will have temporary crowns placed to protect the prepared teeth and maintain aesthetics while waiting for the permanent crowns to be fabricated. At this stage, temporary crowns are usually made from light plastic material, which can easily detach. Therefore, users should avoid eating hard, hot, cold, or sticky foods. This period typically lasts 2 to 3 days. This is a sensitive time, so it’s advisable to only eat soft foods such as porridge, soup, mashed rice, or boiled vegetables to prevent prolonged pain or detachment of the temporary crowns.
Next Stage: After Permanent Crown Placement
After permanent dental crowns are placed, you should wait approximately 2 – 24 hours for the crown adhesive to stabilize and bond securely. During this time, you should avoid chewing on the newly crowned teeth, especially hard or chewy foods. After 24 hours, most clients can resume normal eating, particularly if zirconia crowns are used – a type known for high strength and excellent biocompatibility.
However, if you still feel an uneven bite, pain, or discomfort while eating, you should return to your restorative dentist to have your bite checked or the precision of the dental crowns re-evaluated. Some people may experience sensitivity after the procedure, but it usually disappears within a few days if there are no other complications.
Eating Discomfort After Dental Crowns – Causes and Solutions
After getting dental crowns, experiencing eating discomfort is not uncommon, but it’s important to understand the causes to find appropriate solutions.
Causes of Eating Discomfort After Dental Crowns
Inaccurate Bite Alignment
When the bite is misaligned after dental crown placement, patients may feel an uneven sensation or obstruction, making chewing difficult. This is the most common cause of not enjoying food or eating discomfort. Checking the bite after crown placement is a crucial step in the dental restoration process. If overlooked, patients will experience discomfort every time they chew.
Errors in Impression Taking and Crown Fabrication
During the impression-taking process, if the dentist or lab performs it inaccurately, the fabricated crown may not fit snugly over the prepared tooth. This reduces chewing efficiency, causes sensitivity, and diminishes the enjoyment of eating.
Excessively Thick or Hard Crowns
Some types of crowns, such as zirconia or metal-ceramic, have high hardness. If not adjusted to the correct thickness, they can cause a heavy and bulky sensation when eating. This is particularly common if a personalized treatment plan is not applied based on individual conditions.
Issues with Opposing Teeth
If only one side of the mouth is crowned while the opposing teeth are misaligned, weak, or missing, uneven chewing can also lead to a feeling of not enjoying food.
Anxiety or Lack of Adaptation
After getting dental crowns, the novel sensation makes many people hesitant to eat. Fear of damaging the teeth, fear of pain, or simply not being accustomed to the new crowns can also cause you to feel that eating is unnatural.
How to Fix Eating Discomfort
Re-check Bite Alignment at the Dental Clinic
As soon as you notice uneven chewing or an uneven sensation, you should return to the clinic. The restorative dentist will re-evaluate your bite and make adjustments if necessary. This usually takes only a few minutes and is painless.
Adjust or Replace Crowns if Necessary
If the fabricated crown is not precise or has a gap, you should request a re-check. In some cases, replacing the dental crown is necessary to ensure chewing function and aesthetic appeal. This can often be covered under the dental crown warranty policy at reputable dental clinics.
Choose a More Suitable Crown Material
If you are using crowns that are too hard or heavy, you might consider switching to lighter and more aesthetically pleasing dental crown materials, such as Emax. Customizing the color and shape of the teeth to each individual will make the crowns look more natural, blend in easily, and improve the chewing sensation.
Gradually Practice Chewing
Instead of immediately eating hard foods, start with soft foods like porridge, soup, and cooked vegetables. After a few days, you will feel your teeth adapt better. From there, your eating ability and recovery will quickly return to normal.
Maintain Thorough Oral Hygiene
Clean dental crowns like natural teeth: brush twice a day, use dental floss, alcohol-free mouthwash, and schedule regular check-ups according to your restoration plan. When your oral environment is healthy, the enjoyment of eating will gradually return.
What is the Dental Crown Procedure Like?
Dental crown treatment is a common cosmetic dentistry procedure that is not complicated and usually takes only 2-5 days, quickly improving chewing function and aesthetics. This procedure does not require surgery, is mostly performed on an outpatient basis, and involves clear steps.
Examination and X-ray Imaging
This is the initial and foundational step. The dentist will perform a comprehensive examination, take X-rays or CT scans to fully assess the condition of your teeth and jaw, and identify any issues requiring treatment (pulp, gum inflammation, bite) before tooth preparation. You will be advised on your aesthetic desires and different types of dental crowns (zirconia, Emax, metal) to choose the most suitable option.
Tooth Preparation and Impression Taking
After the plan is set, the dentist proceeds to prepare the teeth by shaping them to create a core (small post) for the crown to fit over, taking 30 minutes to 1 hour per tooth. This procedure requires high precision to avoid pulp damage. Next, an impression of the teeth is taken using materials or a digital scanner to send to the lab for fabricating crowns that match the natural teeth in size and color. Slight initial sensitivity may occur but will gradually subside.
Temporary Crown Placement and Lab Fabrication
Immediately after impression taking, temporary crowns made of plastic/composite will be placed to maintain aesthetics, protect the prepared teeth, and reduce sensitivity. You should limit eating hard/hot/cold foods for 2-4 days while waiting for the lab to complete the permanent crowns. The lab uses CAD/CAM technology to fabricate precise dental crowns, taking 24-72 hours (which can be faster for zirconia crowns).
Permanent Crown Placement and Bite Check
Once the dental crowns are complete, the dentist will temporarily place them to check their color, shape, fit, and bite. If satisfactory, the crowns will be permanently cemented using specialized dental adhesive. The dentist will re-check the bite with articulating paper and make adjustments to ensure there is no obstruction or jaw misalignment when eating. This process takes approximately 30-45 minutes per tooth. Afterward, you need to rest for 24 hours for stabilization.
Tips to Shorten Dental Crown Treatment Time and Speed Up Recovery
To shorten dental crown treatment time and speed up recovery, individuals undergoing the procedure should note the following specific steps:
- Choose a Dental Clinic with CAD/CAM Technology
One factor that helps speed up dental crown treatment is choosing a clinic that uses digital impression scanners and CAD/CAM technology. Instead of manual impression taking, the dentist will use a 3D scanner to accurately create a digital model of the crown. This process saves time, prevents errors, and can shorten the procedure to just 1–2 appointments. This is an ideal choice in modern dental service packages.
- Appropriate Treatment Plan for Your Dental Condition
Not all cases require extensive tooth preparation or root canal treatment. Individuals with strong, healthy teeth, free from decay or gum inflammation, will not need intermediate steps such as root canal treatment, fillings, or complex bite adjustments. As a result, the dental crown treatment time can be significantly shortened. Ensure that your restorative dentist provides clear advice, accurately assesses your condition, and creates a specific restoration plan for you.
- Avoid Hard Foods During the First 48 Hours
Immediately after permanent dental crowns are placed, you should avoid hard, chewy, hot, or cold foods to prevent applying pressure to the newly installed crowns. Adhering to this guidance will help the area around the teeth recover quickly and reduce sensitivity after the procedure. You should eat soft, easy-to-swallow foods and drink plenty of water to maintain oral moisture.
- Attend Follow-up Appointments as Scheduled, Without Delay
After the crowning procedure is complete, the dentist usually schedules follow-up appointments to check the bite, the stability of the crowns, and the client’s chewing comfort. Delaying follow-up visits can cause minor misalignments to become more serious, extending the adjustment and recovery time. Adhering to your appointments will help you complete the process faster and more safely.
- Prioritize Suitable and Durable Crown Materials
Choosing quality dental crown materials like zirconia crowns will shorten recovery time due to their high biocompatibility and minimal irritation. Good quality crowns also reduce the risk of breakage, thus avoiding the need for re-treatment, saving both time and cost in the future. Do not choose cheap, easily damaged crowns, as they may require multiple re-treatments, affecting your initial dental crown schedule.
The information shared above not only helps you understand that teeth should be crowned as soon as possible after root canal treatment but also guides you on how to properly care for your dental crowns to better protect your natural teeth. Dental crowning is a safe and quick recovery dental procedure that effectively enhances smile aesthetics. Therefore, you can confidently choose it to maintain long-term oral health.
