A dental crown functions as a cap placed over a damaged tooth. Its purpose involves restoring the tooth’s original shape, enhancing its strength, improving its appearance, and reinstating its proper function. This article clarifies common sensations, explores potential causes of pain, and guides individuals on when to seek professional dental advice regarding dental crowns.
During the Dental Crown Procedure
During the dental crown procedure, local anesthesia is administered to numb the tooth and surrounding gum tissue. This ensures patients do not experience pain while the dentist prepares the tooth. While the tooth is numb, individuals might still perceive sensations such as pressure, vibrations from dental tools, or the sounds of drilling. Preparation involves reshaping the tooth to make space for the crown, followed by taking an impression and placing a temporary crown.
What to Expect Immediately After
Once local anesthesia begins to wear off, within hours following the procedure, some mild, temporary sensations are common. Patients might notice slight soreness in the tooth or surrounding gum area. Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures is a frequent occurrence, as the tooth has undergone significant preparation. These sensations usually resolve within a few days to a week. They arise because the tooth reacted to the preparation process, and the gum tissue around it may have been slightly manipulated.
Reasons for Pain After a Crown
Discomfort or pain can persist or develop days, weeks, or even months after a crown is placed. One common reason for ongoing pain is an uneven bite, where the new crown might be slightly too high, causing excessive pressure when biting down. This can lead to discomfort or jaw pain over time. The tooth’s nerve might also become irritated or inflamed due to the preparation process, especially if the original decay was deep or the tooth had prior sensitivity. In some cases, this nerve irritation can necessitate a root canal procedure to alleviate the pain.
New decay can form underneath a dental crown if the seal between the crown and the tooth is not perfectly intact, or if any existing decay was not entirely removed. This decay can then reach the nerve, causing pain. An infection can also develop if deep decay was present before the crown, or if a previous root canal treatment under the crowned tooth was unsuccessful. The underlying tooth might also develop a crack, potentially from biting on hard foods, which can cause sharp pain upon chewing. Gum inflammation around the crown, often due to improper cleaning or an ill-fitting crown margin, can result in localized pain and tenderness.
Relieving Discomfort and Pain
For mild to moderate discomfort or expected sensitivity after a dental crown procedure, several home remedies can provide relief. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can help manage any soreness or throbbing pain. Rinsing the mouth with warm salt water can soothe irritated gum tissues around the newly crowned tooth.
Temporarily adjust your diet by eating softer foods and avoiding chewing directly on the crowned tooth. If sensitivity to temperature is an issue, avoid consuming very hot or cold foods and beverages. These strategies are effective for temporary issues but are not substitutes for professional dental care if pain persists or worsens.
When to Seek Dental Attention
It is important to recognize when pain or discomfort after a crown indicates a need for professional dental attention. Contact your dentist if you experience any of the following:
Severe, throbbing, or worsening pain that does not respond to over-the-counter pain relievers.
Swelling in the face, jaw, or gums near the crowned tooth.
A fever alongside dental pain.
Persistent sensitivity to hot or cold that does not improve over time, or pain that keeps you awake at night.
The crown feels loose, falls off, or you notice a bad taste in your mouth, which could signal an infection.