Wisdom Teeth Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Dental Crown and Why Might I Need One?
A dental crown is a protective cap that covers a damaged, cracked, or decayed tooth to restore its shape, function, and appearance. Your dentist may recommend a crown if your tooth is severely decayed, cracked, worn down, root canal treated, broken, or has a large filling that compromises strength.
Do All Teeth With Fillings Need Crowns?
No. Small or moderate-sized fillings usually do not require crowns. However, if a filling is large or the tooth has recurrent decay, cracks, or structural weakness, a crown may be necessary to prevent further damage.
Why Do Root Canal-Treated Teeth Need Crowns?
Teeth that have undergone root canal therapy no longer receive nutrients and become brittle. They also lose nerve perception, increasing the risk of cracks. Crowning helps prevent breakage, extend lifespan, reduce reinfection, and avoid extractions or implants.
Can grinding my teeth cause me to need crowns?
Yes. Chronic grinding can wear down teeth, causing bite misalignment, TMJ issues, and headaches. Crowns restore tooth height and function.
How Does a Crown Prevent Tooth Loss?
Crowns protect weak teeth from cracking further or breaking. When a tooth lacks enough structure to hold a filling, a crown strengthens and preserves it.
Are Crowns Just Cosmetic?
No. Crowns improve appearance but primarily restore function and protect teeth from further damage.
Are Crowns Covered by Insurance?
Most PPO plans cover crowns at 50%. Coverage depends on your plan. Atlantis Dental will help verify your benefits and submit paperwork as needed.
Why Are Crowns Expensive?
Crown procedures require expertise, precision, and high-quality materials. Additional costs include lab fees and advanced dental tools. At Atlantis Dental, we charge a flat fee regardless of crown type.
Do You Offer Same-Day Crowns?
Not at this time. We prefer to work with trusted dental labs for the highest quality results.
How Long Does a Crown Last?
Crowns typically last 10–20 years, but with proper care, they can last a lifetime. Patients who maintain regular cleanings and good oral hygiene see the longest-lasting results.
What Materials Are Crowns Made Of?
Crowns can be made of porcelain, gold, zirconia, or porcelain-fused-to-metal. Emax is a type of porcelain crown. The dentist selects the material based on aesthetics, strength, and how much tooth structure is left.
Does Getting a Crown Hurt?
No. You are completely numb during the procedure and leave with a temporary crown.
How Do I Care for a Temporary Crown?
Avoid hard or sticky foods. Floss by pulling the floss through rather than up. Brush well around the area. Your dentist or hygienist can demonstrate proper care.
What Is the Crown Procedure Like?
The procedure has two steps. First, the dentist numbs you, prepares the tooth, scans it, and places a temporary crown. The final crown is cemented 2 weeks later after verifying fit, bite, contacts, and aesthetics. You’ll get to approve it before it’s cemented.
Can a Crown Be Placed Without a Root Canal?
Yes. Not all teeth that need crowns need root canals. Some are just cracked or broken. Treating them early with a crown can prevent the need for a root canal later.
What if My Crown Falls Off?
Call us immediately and try to come in within 24 hours. Teeth shift quickly and delay can make the crown not fit. Re-cementing is a quick 15-20 minute procedure.
Can I Eat Normally With a Crown?
Yes! Once cemented, your crown should feel and function like your natural tooth.
What Are Wisdom Teeth, and When Do They Become a Problem?
Wisdom teeth are the last molars to erupt, usually between ages 17–25. For many patients, they cause problems like pain, swelling, or infection — often suddenly and without warning. At Atlantis Dental, we treat these cases seriously because untreated wisdom tooth infections can flare up overnight and lead to serious swelling, jaw stiffness, or difficulty swallowing.
Can You Remove Wisdom Teeth the Same Day?
Yes. Dr. Naqvi prioritizes same-day treatment for wisdom tooth emergencies. If you’re in pain, we numb you immediately to stop the discomfort. If the X-ray shows a safe path and you can open your mouth comfortably, we often extract the tooth the same day to prevent things from getting worse.
What Happens if I Wait Too Long to Remove a Wisdom Tooth?
Waiting too long can allow infection to spread rapidly — especially behind lower wisdom teeth. You could wake up with severe swelling, pus draining into your throat, and difficulty opening your mouth. If you have fever or trouble swallowing, you may need IV antibiotics at the emergency room before the tooth can even be extracted.
What Kind of Imaging Do You Take to Evaluate Wisdom Teeth?
We use a panoramic X-ray to evaluate all four wisdom teeth at once, assess how close they are to nerves or sinuses, and determine the safest approach for removal.
When Do You Refer to an Oral Surgeon?
If the tooth is too close to a major nerve or is deeply impacted, Dr. Naqvi will refer you to a trusted oral surgeon right downstairs. However, they are often booked out several weeks — so we try to help as many patients as possible in-office to avoid unnecessary delays.
Why Do Many Dentists Refer All Wisdom Tooth Cases Out?
Many offices don’t offer wisdom teeth removal at all. Dr. Naqvi, however, has advanced training and surgical experience, starting with her internship in Pakistan providing free care to underserved communities. There, she developed strong extraction skills early in her career — and today she can perform even complex extractions quickly, gently, and with minimal complications.
What Should I Do Before a Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
• Stay well hydrated
• Take any prescribed medications (like antibiotics or anxiety meds)
• Follow all instructions given by our team
• Let us know about any medical conditions or concerns in advance
What Sedation Options Do You Offer?
We use local anesthesia to make sure you’re completely numb. For anxious patients, Dr. Naqvi may prescribe diazepam (Valium) in advance. We do not offer general anesthesia, but we make sure your experience is calm and painless.
Can I Go to Work the Day After Surgery?
Yes! Most of our patients go back to work the next day, even with some swelling. Just avoid heavy lifting, gym workouts, or strenuous activity until your mouth has healed.
What Is Dry Socket — and How Can I Avoid It?
Dry socket happens when the clot at the extraction site gets dislodged, exposing bone and nerves. It’s very painful and doesn’t respond to regular pain meds.
To avoid dry socket:
- Don’t smoke or vape
- Don’t use a straw
- Don’t rinse or spit forcefully
If it happens, come see us right away — we’ll place a special dressing to relieve the pain and promote healing.
How Do I Pay for My Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
At Atlantis Dental, we believe no one should suffer through dental pain because of finances.We offer fast, flexible financing for all budgets and credit types — with applications that take less than five minutes to complete.
If you’re facing an emergency and don’t know how to cover the cost, please don’t wait — we’ll help you find a payment plan that works.
Consultation fee: only $49 — includes a panoramic X-ray and doctor’s exam. From there, we’ll walk you through all costs and financing options clearly, before we do anything.
Why Choose Atlantis Dental for Wisdom Teeth?
• Same-day emergency care whenever possible
• Decades of hands-on surgical experience
• A trusted referral network for complex cases
• Compassionate care with fast recovery
• Clear pricing, gentle technique, and practical follow-up support