Pain in tooth #2 after crown placed on tooth 3 and 4

[JKM7878]

I had a root canal done on tooth 3 one year ago.  The filling came out, therefore, I needed a crown.  However, when I visited my dentist about this (one month ago), I had some additional dental work that needed to be done, so before she did the mold for the temp crown, she wanted to drill the cavity out of tooth 4 and the nerve became exposed, so she put a temp crown on that tooth then I had a root canal done on tooth one week ago. I had no pain with this particular root canal. I also had a cavity in tooth 2, so she filled that one. When I went back for the permanent crowns the same day after the root canal on tooth 4, my dentist said that she needed to numb my mouth because she noticed a "ledge" on tooth 2 that she needed to smooth out before placing the perm crown on 3.  I have had the worst pain ever since then.  The tooth that had the root canal and crown on the same day (1 week ago) feels fine.  Tooth 3, the one with the year old root canal and new crown hurts.  The gum tissue about the crown on 3 is swollen, and it feels like the crown is pushed up too high.  Is that possible? The most severe problem I am having is a severe ache in tooth 2, it feels like an intense pressue.  I can't bite down on 2 or 3 at all.  If I push on 2 with my tongue it hurts. Also, the dentist said that the crown on 3 was made a little short, so it doesn't meet my bottom tooth when I bite down.  I don't understand why I am having all of this discomfort when I am supposed to be feeling better.  I have been taking darvocet, lortab, NSAIDS, and not much helps.  What could this be? What should I do? I would appreciate any information that you can give.  

Thanks,

Jenny

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

Its possible that the cavity was fairly deep on Tooth #2 as well.  You may also be having a problem with the fit of the crown on #3.  It sounds like #4 is doing well and isn't giving you any problems.

I'm not sure what the ledge is unless there may have been a slight ledge on the filling when placing it and she wanted to smoothen it out before finally cementing #3.  Its also possible there maybe some leftover cement caught underneath the crown that needs to be removed.  It would be best to go back to your dentist since it sounds like the pain is quite intense.  Do you have any pain on cold/hot liquids initially?  

[JKM7878]

Thank you for responding.  Yes, the filling on 2 was deep, but when I went for the root canal on tooth 4 last week, the endodontist looked at it and said that there seemed to be enough space in between the filling and the nerve to just "watch it" for now. I don't have any pain with hot/cold liquids.  

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

Well, I would assume that if #2 is ok, then #3 is possibly the problem tooth but until the doctor specifically taps or checks the bite on each one, you won't know for sure either.  Once thats been determined, a clinical exam with x-rays should provide a solution.  Like I said, it may be that the bite of #3 is still off although you did mention it was shorter.

[kayla276]

I had two caps put on, one gold and one porcelain, the porcelain is the one that is giving me trouble just like you described, seems too high, my dentist states it is because i grind my teeth, but I told him, if i grind my teeth why isn't my gums and other teeth like this one you put on?  He states my gum is receding due to my brushing, I told him well then why aren't my other gums receding?

He adjusted it 3 times, finially the other day I was eating something and it just fell down further into socket,  it felt like it fell right into place. My gum still hurts but not as bad and it does not look like it is receding anymore like it was.  I think it is due to the cap being too large for my mouth, at first when he put it on it felt like a blob of something, it was made to big from the lab, instead of sending it back to the lab like he should have, he tried to make it fit, this is my guess anyway.    I think my mouth was trying to adjust to it instead of him adjusting it to the way it should have been in the first place.

Maybe you cap is too large like I think mine is.   I still am not happy with it and am going this monday to let them know about it again.   the cap sticks out at the bottom way over my gum also on one side.  

[kda00451]

I had a crown put on last week because the old filling was leaking. I wasn't in too much pain with the tooth before the temporary was put on so I didn't feel it was a serious issue. I had extreme sensitivity to hot and cold and while chewing with the temporary. I chalked that up to the fact that the temporary was not insulated and they said it might be sensitive. 10 days after the permanent crown was put on I am stell have EXTREME sensitivity to heat and cold. I am taking OTC pain meds throughout the day. Is this something that may subside? I am afraid to call the dentist because I feel he will automatically say root canal.

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

How's the bite on the new crown?  If its off, it can be causing trauma to the tooth and jawbone area and resulting in some sensitivity and pain.  I would recommend going back to the dentist to get a checkup on the area to see if there's a simple solution.  I had one patient who was painfree but came back a few days after the crown was cemented with alot of pain.  I found a little piece of cement stuck between his teeth and he's been pain free since.  So don't worry if its a root canal, it may or may not be.  Sometimes its just a simple oversight.