Dental Crown Teeth Pain: Causes & Treatment Options
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Table of Contents
- Dental Crown Pain Expectations
- Causes
- Treatment Options
- References
The placement of a dental crown can lead to some mild to moderate pain and discomfort in the site, especially around the gums. This is normal and can be treated at home. The pain will generally dissipate within a week or two.
If dental tooth pain following a crown placement is significant, continues beyond a few weeks, or is accompanied by other symptoms, contact your dentist right away. This kind of pain can be caused by several issues that can require additional treatment or even the replacement of your crown.
What to Expect With Dental Crown Tooth Pain
A dental crown often involves prepping the tooth and/or the gums first to remove decay. Often, the dentist will use a local anesthesia to numb the area first.1 When the anesthesia wears off, it is normal to feel some discomfort in the tooth and gums around the tooth where the crown was placed.
Over-the-counter pain medication is often enough to manage discomfort after a crown procedure. The pain should go away completely within a week to two at the most. If you are still experiencing crown pain after two weeks, or the pain is significant, talk to your dentist as there could be something else causing it.
Causes of Pain
Dental crown tooth pain that is more than just discomfort from the procedure can be caused by a multitude of factors. While the crown serves to protect and strengthen your tooth, it is still prone to issues just like a normal tooth is.
Here are some of the causes of dental crown pain:
Infection
Tooth Decay Underneath Your Crown
Crack or Fracture in the Crown or Tooth Under the Crown
Recessed Gums and Potential Exposed Root
Teeth Grinding
Improper Fit of the Crown
Treatment Options
The cause of your crown pain will determine your treatment option. For example, if you have tooth decay or an infection, the dentist will need to clean it out. They will often also prescribe antibiotics or medications to help clear it. If you are grinding your teeth at night, your dentist can prescribe a mouthguard to help while you are sleeping.
When your gums recede from your gumline, the cause will determine the treatment. If this is due to brushing too hard, your dentist can show you how to modify this to prevent further damage. When gum disease (gingivitis) and tooth decay are the cause, a procedure called scaling and root planing can clean out the area. Advanced gum recession may need to be treated with a gum graft.
A cracked crown or tooth can often be fixed by bonding the tooth with a composite resin. If it is severely fractured or the crack is too big, or if the crown is not the right fit in your mouth, you will need to have your crown replaced.
References
Overview Teeth Grinding (Bruxism). (May 2020). NHS. Date Fetched: July 13, 2021.
Crowns. (2013). Patient Smart American Dental Association (ADA). Date Fetched: July 12, 2021.
Dental Abscess. (June 2021). BMJ Best Practice. Date Fetched: July 13, 2021.
Gum Recession: Causes and Treatments. American Dental Association (ADA) Patient Smart.
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