What Causes Dental Crown Pain and How to Manage Discomfort?

Getting a dental crown can restore a damaged tooth and give you back your healthy, beautiful smile. But sometimes dental crown pain or sensitivity lingers even after the procedure. If you’re experiencing crown discomfort, don’t panic – in most cases, it can be controlled with simple at-home care. Understanding the potential causes of pain and using the right techniques to alleviate irritation will have you feeling better fast.

Why Do Dental Crowns Sometimes Cause Pain?

It’s normal for teeth to be sensitive immediately after getting a crown placed. Your tooth was likely severely damaged before needing a crown, so some irritation is to be expected from the repair process. The preparation work, temporary crown placement, permanent cementing, and bite adjustments can cause short-term crown discomfort.

Crowns themselves do not contain nerves and can’t directly cause pain. However, dental sensitivity may flare as surrounding teeth, nerves, and tissues react to the new crown. Minor inflammation and pressure on nearby areas are common sources of post-crown pain that should subside within a few days.

Is it Normal to Experience Pain After Getting a Dental Crown?

Mild to moderate pain and sensitivity for the first few days following your crown procedure are normal. The area may feel tender as your mouth adjusts to the new dental work. However, severe or long-lasting discomfort is not normal.

About two-thirds of dental crown patients have some post-procedure sensitivity. But it usually fades within 1-2 weeks as swelling decreases and your bite settles into proper alignment. Gentle care for the crowned tooth while avoiding biting hard foods can speed healing. Any lingering pain after two weeks likely has other underlying causes.

What Could Be the Underlying Causes of Dental Crown Pain?

There are a few reasons you may continue experiencing crown pain:

• Improper crown fit or shape: It can irritate if the crown doesn’t fit correctly or covers too much surrounding gum tissue. Similarly, an uneven crown shape can alter your bite alignment and pressure teeth.
• Tooth damage: Crown preparation may expose dental pulp or irritate nerves in teeth with previous trauma, fillings, or cracks. This nerve inflammation leads to sensitivity.
• Excess dental cement: Extra cement around the crown’s base can cause gum inflammation and discomfort. Trace amounts of cement can get trapped even with a dentist’s meticulous cleanup.
• Bruxism or teeth grinding: Chronic grinding or clenching can put too much pressure on a new crown, leading to pain. The occlusal imbalance may require bite adjustments.
• Underlying tooth infection: In rare cases, lingering pain may signal an undiagnosed root infection that requires further treatment.

How Can Discomfort from Dental Crowns Be Managed at Home?

If you experience dental sensitivity for more than a few days, try these at-home pain relief tips:

• Take over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen to minimize inflammation.
• Rinse daily with warm salt water to clean the area and eliminate irritation.
• Employ a desensitizing toothpaste containing ingredients such as potassium nitrate.
• Avoid chewing hard, sticky foods on the crowned tooth as it heals.
• Wear a night guard if grinding at night may be causing pain.
• Further, numb the area temporarily with dental numbing gel.
• Maintain excellent oral hygiene to prevent infection-causing sensitivity.

These simple remedies can effectively help manage crown pain and speed healing. But don’t hesitate to call your dentist if discomfort persists beyond 10-14 days.

When Should You Seek Professional Help for Dental Crown Pain?

Schedule an appointment with your dentist near me in Caro or dentist 48723 if:

• Pain or sensitivity does not start improving within two weeks
• Discomfort is severe, consistent, or disrupts sleep
• You experience swelling around the crowned tooth
• Do you notice damage, loosening, or changes to the crown

Your Caro dentist can examine the crown placement, fit, and surrounding teeth at your dental visit to pinpoint the issue. From there, your dentist can remove excess cement or irritants and adjust the crown to resolve persistent pain. Seeking professional help ensures your crown discomfort is properly diagnosed and treated for long-term dental health.

With close follow-up after placement, dental crowns in Caro should not cause ongoing discomfort. Contact the expert team at Thumbs Up Dental if you need help managing post-crown sensitivity. We’ll work to make sure your restored smile looks beautiful and functions comfortably.