• Posted on: Jul 15 2018

There is a reason your dentist wants to see you every six months. When we can identify the earliest indications of decay and other dental problems, we have the best chance of correcting them without the need for extensive tooth modification. A small cavity can be quickly and conservatively repaired using a bonding technique that restores appearance as well as structural durability simultaneously. Leaving that minor toothache alone for too long usually means that a dental crown will be needed to repair the tooth fully. Dental crowns are beneficial but not immune to damage.

What happens if you have gotten a dental crown and your tooth still hurts? What happens if pain develops in a crowned tooth after it has been functional for years? Here, we discuss some of the reasons that dental pain may develop where a crown has been installed.

Is Dental Crown Pain Normal? Maybe!

Usually, we say that no dental pain should go unexamined. A new dental crown may be the exception, but you’ve got to be careful not to avoid seeing the dentist if pain occurs after you have received a crown.

Dental crown pain may be normal, but only during the initial period after installation. When a dental crown is inserted, the tooth that needs repair must be reduced so the crown will fit over it thoroughly. Teeth are typically reduced using a dental drill, an instrument that vibrates. As gentle as this vibration is, it is somewhat disruptive to the nerve of the tooth. Therefore, mild sensitivity may be noticed during the first several days after crown placement.

It is essential that we state that sensitivity is the only uncomfortable sensation that may be considered a normal byproduct of getting a dental crown. Even sensitivity should be discussed with your dentist if it is still noticeable a month after you have received your crown. When pain lingers or develops after crown treatment, it may be because:

The nerve has been disrupted.

The nerves of teeth are sensitive and do not like the vibration of dental work. Nerves do not like disruption, period. So, when a cavity develops and reactivity increases, the nerve becomes somewhat inflamed. When damaged tooth structure is removed using a dental drill, the nerve becomes inflamed. All of this stimulation is sometimes too much for a nerve. Furthermore, the more work that is done on a tooth, the more reactive that tooth’s nerves become. Eventually, this sensitivity may require root canal therapy for full resolution.

Decay has developed around the crown.

A crown sits over the entire surface of a natural tooth. However, it is possible for gum tissue to recede away from the crown over time. This is especially common around metal crowns. Gum recession may also result from inadequate brushing and flossing. When gums recede, or debris and plaque accumulate around the margin of a crown, decay may develop. Pain may occur relatively quickly in such an instance due to the proximity of the cavity to the tooth’s root and nerves.

If you have a dental crown, it is vital that you see your dentist routinely for exams and cleanings that work against oral bacteria and decay. Call our Grand Rapids office at 616-458-0631 for friendly dental care.

Posted in: Dental Crown