Dental Crown Pain - What Are the Possible Causes?
A dental filling isn’t always enough to treat tooth damage. Dr. Scott Harris uses dental crowns to treat extreme tooth decay, acidic erosion, and fractures. When a custom dental crown is placed, Nashville, TN patients no longer experience pain and discomfort and have beautiful, healthy smiles.
That said, there are times when patients experience pain and discomfort linked to their dental crown. The team at Gulch Dental Studio would like to go over some common causes of dental crown pain, with some insight into how we can treat it.
Noticing Actions that Result in Dental Crown Pain
If you experience dental crown pain, there may be an action or activity that triggers your discomfort. Be mindful of the following:
- Biting problems
- Chewing problems
- Pain after a fall or facial injury
- Sensitivity from hot or cold foods/beverages
- Soreness when you wake up
- Pain when not doing anything
Be sure to bring up any of the above details during a consultation so we better diagnose the cause of your problem.
Damage or Wear to a Dental Crown
Dental crowns are durable, but they will wear down over time. As a dental crown wear down, it could lead to a tooth feeling more sensitive to pressure and temperature changes.
Dental Crowns That Don’t Fit Right
Sometimes a dental crown simply isn’t a good fit for the patient’s tooth. This could have soon after the crown is placed, or may occur after months or years of wear and tear. When a crown doesn’t fit right, it will lead to discomfort when biting and chewing.
The Dental Crown Is Coming Loose
When a dental crown is coming loose, it can lead to sensations of discomfort or sensitivity. Generally these sensations are a precursor to the dental crown coming completely off the tooth. Catching these issues early allows our Nashville practice to set or re-set the dental crown as needed.
Poor Dental Alignment
Your bite can cause a number of issues you may not have realized. If teeth are not properly aligned, this can place excessive pressure on some of your teeth and on a dental crown. Over time, this can result in worsening pain. Replacing or re-setting the dental crown will not be enough to treat this problem.
Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
On the note of dental alignment, issues may arise when your teeth cannot find a comfortable resting position as you sleep. This causes the teeth to shift and clench during sleep. This teeth grinding can lead to tooth pain, fractures, and even problems with dental crowns and other restorations.
Health Issues with the Underlying Tooth Structure
Sometimes the dental crown is just fine, but a problem with the capped tooth structure is the issue. In these cases, a tooth may be infected under the crown, or it may have experienced some other sort of damage. Treating the underlying tooth is the best option for treatment.
Get the Treatment That’s Right for You
As you can see, there are many reasons why a dental crown may feel painful. If you notice any sort of discomfort with your dental crown or other dental work, the team at our Nashville practice will develop the ideal treatment for your needs.
Learn More About Dental Crowns
For more information about dental crowns improving your dental health, be sure to contact a skilled cosmetic and restorative dentist. Dr. Harris and the Gulch Dental Studio team can be reached by phone at (615) 334-0184.
