Let’s be honest: dental appointments are a lot easier when you know exactly what is going to happen while you are in the chair. Whether you are scheduled for a routine filling or getting a custom crown, understanding the process can completely change your experience.

To help ease your mind, our Crested Butte Dental team has gathered the answers to the questions we hear most often about getting numb, procedure times, and how to care for your smile after you leave.

1. The Basics of Getting Numb

How does local anesthesia work, and how long does it last?

Before we begin any restorative work, we ensure the tooth and the surrounding area are completely comfortable.

• What happens: We start by applying a topical numbing gel to your gums so you barely feel a thing. Next, we administer a local anesthetic. You will feel a brief tingle or a cold sensation, followed quickly by a heavy, “thick” feeling in your lip, tongue, or cheek.

• What you will feel: Once the anesthetic takes effect (usually within 5 to 10 minutes), you shouldn’t feel any sharp pain at all. You will still feel pressure and hear the sounds of our instruments, which is completely normal.

• How long it lasts: The profound numbness typically lasts anywhere from 1 to 4 hours after your appointment.

2. Dental Fillings

How long do they take and what happens?

If you have a small cavity, a filling is the most conservative way to stop the decay and restore the tooth.

• Appointment Time: 30 to 60 minutes per tooth.

• The Process: Once you are numb, we use precise dental instruments to gently clear away the decayed or weakened portions of the tooth. We then thoroughly sanitize the area. Next, we layer a durable, tooth-colored composite resin into the space. A special blue curing light is used to harden each layer in a matter of seconds.

• The Finishing Touch: We have you bite down on a thin piece of marker paper to ensure the new filling aligns perfectly with your natural bite, making adjustments until it feels completely smooth.

3. Same-Day Crowns (CEREC)

How long do they take and what happens?

If a tooth is cracked, heavily decayed, or has a large broken filling, it needs a crown (a protective “cap”) to save it. In the past, this required two separate appointments and weeks wearing an uncomfortable temporary crown. Thanks to our advanced CEREC (CAD/CAM) technology, we can design, create, and place your permanent porcelain crown in a single visit.

• Appointment Time: 90 minutes to 2 hours.

• The Process:

  1. Preparation: We numb the area and carefully shape the tooth to create a strong, stable foundation for the new crown.

  2. 3D Digital Scanning: No messy, gag-inducing putty here! We use a high-tech handheld camera to capture a highly detailed 3D digital image of your mouth.

  3. Custom Design: While you relax in the chair, our dental software converts the scan into a 3D model. We custom-design the exact shape and contour of your new tooth right in front of you.

  4. In-Office Milling: We select a solid block of high-grade ceramic that perfectly matches your natural tooth shade. Our on-site milling machine then precisely carves your crown, taking only about 15 minutes.

  5. Placement: We try the crown in, double-check your bite, and bond it permanently into place with dental cement. You leave our office with a fully restored, permanent tooth.

4. Tooth Extractions with PRP and Bone Grafting

How long does it take and what happens?

While our primary goal is always to save your natural teeth, sometimes an extraction (removing a tooth) is the healthiest choice for your mouth—especially if a tooth is severely cracked, infected, or lacks structural support. To ensure your jaw stays strong for a future dental implant or bridge, we often combine the extraction with a bone graft and PRP therapy.

• Appointment Time:  60 minutes to 2 hours (depending on the tooth’s location and root structure).

• The Process:

  1. Ensuring Numbness: We thoroughly numb the tooth and the surrounding jawbone. You will feel a significant amount of pressure as we gently loosen and remove the tooth, but you should not feel any sharp pain.

  2. PRP (Platelet-Rich Fibrin/Plasma): While you are getting numb, we take a small sample of your blood (just like a routine medical lab test) and spin it in a centrifuge machine. This separates your blood’s natural growth factors. We use this concentrated “PRP matrix” to place directly into the empty socket. It dramatically speeds up your body’s natural healing process and reduces post-op pain.

  3. Bone Grafting: Next, we place a specialized bone grafting material into the socket. This acts as a scaffolding, guiding your body to naturally rebuild solid bone in that empty space over the next few months.

  4. Stitches: We secure the PRP and bone graft with a few small stitches to protect the site while it heals.

4. Post-Operative Instructions

What should I do after my appointment?

• The Golden Rule: Do not eat or drink hot liquids while you are still numb! It is very easy to accidentally bite your tongue, cheek, or lip, or burn your mouth without realizing it. Wait until the anesthetic completely wears off.

• Managing Discomfort: It is completely normal for the tooth or the injection site to feel a little tender for a few days. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen usually handle this perfectly.

• Temporary Sensitivity: Your teeth might be sensitive to hot, cold, or pressure for a week or two. This is just the nerve settling down after being worked on. Try using a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth if it bothers you.

• When to Call Us: If your bite feels “high” or uneven when you chew after the numbness wears off, give us a call! A quick, two-minute adjustment in our office can fix it right up.

  Additional Post-Operative Instructions for Extractions:

• Protect the Clot: For the first 24 to 48 hours, do not smoke, spit forcefully, or drink through a straw. The suction created in your mouth can dislodge the healing blood clot, leading to a painful condition called a dry socket.

• Diet: Stick to soft, cool foods for the first couple of days (think smoothies, yogurt, applesauce, and mashed potatoes). Avoid chewing directly on the extraction site.

• Minor Bleeding: It is completely normal to see a bit of pink pink-tinted saliva or minor oozing for the first 24 hours. Placing a clean, damp piece of gauze over the area and biting down with firm, steady pressure for 30 minutes will help it stop.

Have more questions or need to schedule an appointment?

Our team at Crested Butte Dental is always here to make your visit as smooth and stress-free as possible. Feel free to text or call our office (970) 349-5880 to book your next visit!