A tooth crown is a tooth-shaped cap that dentists use to restore broken, decayed, or weak teeth. While it is built to last, sometimes you might experience pain in the tooth under the crown. Please read this article to know the root cause of the issue and how to relieve the pain.
Tooth Decay under Your Crown
Despite the resilience and durability of tooth crowns in managing the everyday demands placed on the teeth, failing to follow a proper oral hygiene routine can result in bacteria and plaque accumulating under your dental crown, undermining its integrity and leading to more dental complications.
Here are the indicators of decay under your crown:
- Pain sensitivity—An initial sign of decay under your dental crown is sensitivity and pain in the impacted tooth. You might experience discomfort when drinking or eating. The pain could be mild, throbbing, or sharp, based on the severity of your issue. If you experience increased tooth sensitivity or discomfort, schedule a dental appointment immediately.
- Discoloration or darkening —If your tooth becomes discolored or develops a darker shade under the dental crown, it may signal decay. The discoloration can be due to a present infection or tooth decay, which, if left untreated, can damage the tooth’s structure.
- Bad odor or taste — Tooth decay under your crown can also manifest as a foul odor or taste emanating from the impacted tooth. If bacteria and tooth decay produce an unpleasant taste or smell, you should visit your dentist.
- Inflammation in your gums or surrounding your tooth — Swelling may happen due to an infection developing from the tooth decay, resulting in a dental condition called an abscess. Once the abscess affects your tooth, you will need an immediate dental check-up to stop the infection from spreading.
Treatment for Decay Under Your Crown
Your dental treatment can depend on the degree of the damage and the current condition of your crown.
Treatment options can include the following:
- Extraction and crown replacement—Your dentist will remove the dental crown to address decay or damage and then design and place a new crown to replace it.
- Tooth removal — If your case is severe and your tooth structure is substantially compromised, removal is the most effective option.
- Root canal — If the tooth decay has advanced to the pulp of the tooth, your dentist can perform root canal therapy before placing another dental crown.
Your Tooth Has an Infection
Following the placement of a tooth crown on your tooth, it is essential to follow proper oral hygiene practices. Otherwise, bacteria will accumulate in the mouth, including under and inside your dental crown.
Bacteria feed on food debris, converting sugar into acid; the acid erodes the enamel, leading to decay or an infection under your crown.
Other factors that could cause bacteria to infiltrate a dental crown include the following:
- Eating and drinking a lot of sugary beverages and foods
- Trauma to the tooth’s hidden part or your crown, which can be due to chewing hard things or not wearing a mouthguard.
- Suffering from a gum infection below the tooth with a dental crown
- Sore or swollen gums near the crown
- Tenderness and redness around your dental crown
- Swollen neck glands
- A constant warm sensation in one part of your mouth
- Bad breath
Treating Your Infected Tooth
If you notice any other signs mentioned earlier, schedule a dental appointment for your dental professional to inspect your crown and determine the cause of the pain.
The treatment for an infection under your crown can include the following:
- Extracting the existing dental crown
- Addressing the decay or damage by filling or removing the remaining part of your tooth
- Designing a new dental crown to accommodate your filling and the remains of your tooth
- The dentist can recommend an implant
Your Crown Broken or Fractured
Different factors can cause a fractured or broken tooth. They are as follows:
- Biting or chewing hard objects or foods, including candy, ice, or bones, applies excessive pressure, which can cause your dental crown to fracture or break.
- Physical trauma — Injuries or accidents involving your mouth could cause immediate damage. The injury can be caused by a fall, a sport-related incident, or a direct blow to the mouth, which can result in a chipped or broken tooth crown. It is advisable to visit your dentist as soon as possible after physical trauma to assess the extent of the tooth's damage.
- A loosely fitted crown — If your crown is not fitted correctly, it could form pressure areas in your mouth. With time, it can result in the crown dislodging or breaking. Regular dental appointments can help identify and correct issues before they become more severe.
- Wear and tear — Appliances like crowns are subject to everyday wear and tear, just like your natural teeth. However, frequent grinding can weaken your crown, increasing the likelihood of it breaking or fracturing. Underlying tooth cavity — Tooth under your crown can also compromise your crown’s foundation. Your impacted tooth may weaken, adding more strain on your crown, which can lead to breakage.
Practising excellent dental health, scheduling regular oral checkups, watching what you eat, and avoiding things that can compromise your crown’s integrity can help prevent further complications.
Common Signs and Diagnosis
Here is how to know your crown is fractured:
- Sensitivity and pain — If you experience discomfort when eating cold, sweet, or hot foods, it may be because of an underlying tooth cavity or a compromised crown. Visiting your dentist regularly can help you address and mitigate this pain and sensitivity.
- Visible chippings or missing pieces
- Sharp cracks or chippings — If your dental crown has chipped or cracked, the fractured edges may feel jagged or sharp against the tongue. The sharp edges can irritate the surrounding tissues, and you should see your dentist promptly to avert injuries.
- Challenges chewing — If you suddenly find it difficult to chew on one side of the mouth, where your dentist fitted the dental crown, it can be that your dental crown has loosened or there is an issue with the tooth structure.
Do not ignore or brush off these signs. A dental-related emergency may arise when you least expect it. Therefore, schedule a dental appointment as soon as possible. Routine oral appointments and prioritizing your dental health can make the difference between a simple fix and complex restorative dentistry.
Steps to Take After learning of the Broken Crown
Once you realize your crown is loose, act with urgency to prevent further complications or damage. Immediate action can include the following:
- Over-the-counter medication — If the broken crown causes you discomfort or pain, consider using over-the-counter pain relief. While painkillers will provide you with short-term relief, they are not a permanent remedy. Please consider consulting a dentist.
- Wash the affected area gently — Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the impacted area. If the broken dental crown has some jagged or sharp edges, clean carefully to avoid injuring your cheeks or tongue.
- Avoid chewing on your impacted side —You should avoid exerting additional force on it; chewing can worsen the damage and cause further pain. Before your dentist fixes the broken crown, ensure you eat easy-to-chew foods and refrain from eating sticky or hard foodstuffs.
Treatment Options
Here are the treatment options for broken crowns:
- Re-cementing — If your dental crown is still intact but loose, the dental professional can reattach it with dental cement.
- Replacement — If your crown is cracked, chipped, or has sharp edges, you may need a replacement crown. The dentist will perform digital scans of your affected tooth, followed by crown fabrication, which should fit snugly.
- Root canal therapy— If the tooth cavity has affected your pulp, your dentist can perform root canal therapy.
- Extraction— In extreme dental cases, where a tooth cannot be saved, extraction may be the only option.
Teeth Bruxism
If you habitually clench or grind your teeth (bruxism), it can exert significant pressure on the dental crowns and your teeth. The constant pressure can cause jaw soreness, damage your crown, and toothache.
To determine whether bruxism is the cause of dental crown pain, your dentist will make a diagnosis based on your symptoms and physical examination.
Your dentist can recommend any of the following treatment options:
- Your dentist can create a customized mouthguard to protect your teeth. A mouth guard can also place the jaw in a position that lowers TMJ muscle strain.
- Using stress reduction methods such as exercise and meditation
- Making lifestyle changes like quitting smoking and drinking alcohol
- Using medication
You have Sore Gums Following a Dental Crown Procedure
Hours after your dentist has placed a dental crown, the numbness due to anesthesia will fade, and you might start feeling soreness or tenderness in your gums near the crown. Your gums can also be bruised or swollen.
You can relieve discomfort due to sore gums by doing the following:
- Using over-the-counter painkillers like Ibuprofen
- Rinse your mouth with salty water several times a day to prevent infections and inflammation. Mix a teaspoon of salt with warm water and swish the solution around your mouth for thirty seconds.
- Using an ice compress
- Keep the head elevated while lying down to prevent swelling
Your pain should not last more than two weeks. Contact your dentist if your pain persists for more than two weeks or if you are experiencing severe pain after treatment.
Your Dental Crown Is Misaligned or Too High
When you repair your damaged tooth with a dental crown, the biting surface of the tooth changes. If the dental crown is improperly positioned or too high, it can cause pain in your tooth whenever you bite down.
Your dentist can rectify the issue by adjusting the crown to your bite as other teeth do.
Gum Recession
Gum recession is another cause of dental crown pain. Gum recession occurs when the gum tissues pull away from your teeth, exposing the root underneath. It makes your teeth more prone to tooth decay.
Although gum recession can affect anyone, you are at a greater risk of developing gum recession if you have gum disease, brush your teeth aggressively, chew tobacco, or have a tongue piercing.
Gum recession treatment depends on the cause of the condition. Mild cases can be fixed with nonsurgical treatment options, including the following:
- Using antibiotics—If your gum recession is due to periodontal disease, your dentist can scale and root plan your teeth to remove bacteria under your gumline. They can also insert an antibiotic under your gums to treat the gum disease.
- Tooth bonding—Your dentist can camouflage the area affected by gum recession with composite resin, covering the exposed tooth root.
- Using orthodontic treatment— If your teeth are rotated, tipped, or crooked, it can lead to gum recession. In this case, braces might be the ideal option. After braces move the teeth into proper alignment, your gum margin might rectify itself with time.
In severe cases, your dentist can recommend gum recession surgery. During the surgical procedure, a gum graft replaces the missing gum tissues. Dentists can take the graft from the roof of the mouth or from human donor tissues. There are different forms of gum grafting procedures, including minimally invasive procedures.
Referred Pain
Sometimes the pain you experience in the dental crown might not be stemming from your tooth. It is called referred pain. Conditions like temporomandibular joint disorders or sinus infections can cause tooth pain.
Your dentist can do the following to diagnose the root cause of your pain and provide effective treatment:
- They can perform a comprehensive physical exam to identify the source of your dental crown pain. They can also apply pressure to various areas to know the exact location of your pain.
- They will inquire about your dental history, general health history, symptoms, and recent procedures to get a comprehensive understanding of the issue.
- They can also use imaging tests to see areas invisible during your regular exam.
In the meantime, the medical professional can recommend temporary pain relief strategies.
Find a Trained Dentist Near Me
It is normal to feel pain after your dentist places your dental crown. However, if the pain persists, it could be a sign of a badly fitted crown, infection, or tooth cavity. Do not wait for your crown pain to become severe. At Tarzana Dental Care, we can review your oral health history and symptoms and perform diagnostic imaging to determine the cause of your pain and recommend the best treatment option. We can also guide you on the best oral hygiene practices to follow to avoid complications. Please contact us at 818-708-3232 to schedule your appointment.