Uncomfortable Crown

Last month I had a root canal on the lower left back tooth. I was then fitted with a temporary crown and then the permanent crown was put on a few days later. For about a week, the crown felt tight and I felt pressure around the gums. The discomfort subsided and the crown felt fine for a month. In the last few days, I'm feeling pain in the crown. I can chew fine, but I'm feeling tightness and pain around the gums like a burning sensation. Does the crown need readjusting or is there an inflamation (inflammation)? Any advise on what to do next?

[Matthew Baron, D.M.D.]

Definitely go back to the dentist that placed the crown for an examination of the tooth and surrounding area.

[mike1105]

i would see your dentist for an opinion. if you are not satisfied, get another opinion-preferably fro someone you are referred to by a friend or famly member--ths way your opinion should be unbiased. you could have a recurring abcess (abscess) in the tooth, or the crown may be impinging on the gum tissue becasue the edges of the crown were buried too far underneath the gumline. or it may be as simple as some extra cement that needs to be removed.

[kid_twist]

I just came back from my dentist. He had a gum specialist look at the gums and crown. They took an xray. It looked normal. No cracks, abnormalities or infection. He said that my lower gums were thin and could be irritated by harsh brushing. He gave me a softer brush and told me how to brush near the gumline. I can chew fine. He said to check back in a couple of weeks if it doesn't feel better around the gum area. Thanks for the feeback!

[mike1105]

ok---if no improvement, get an independant opinion. dentists like to cover each other's butts.

[kid_twist]

Its kinda of strange because the discomfort around that tooth shifts from area to area. This morning the outside of the tooth ached a little. Then it shifted to around the gum line again. Right now the upper inside of the tooth hurts a little. I'm going to see my acupuncurist to see if she can help. Her care has worked in the past for other bodily aches and pains.

[mike1105]

i doubt very much an acupuncturist can help you with the problem--- but who knows? I still say pain and discomfort always happen for a reason. I'd get another unbiased DENTAL opinion on this crown and this tooth.

[pertykitty]

is this your first crown? if you have had no other crowns, then maaaaaaaybe you are allergic to the nickle (if it was used) in the metal margin? just a possiblity, a guess rather. did you have receding (sp) gums prior to your crown placement? of course nobody can diagnose you , and i am not a dentist, just offering my opinion.

[kid_twist]

Yes, I have another crown and its never bothered me. No receding gums. I've used acupuncture for other pains and its worked wonders where conventional medicine failed. And its alot cheaper. I'm also rinsing with salt water. The gums feel a little better. This crown just feels tight.  Thanks!

[beron]

I bet your dentist left some nerve in your canals.

The feeling you mentioned are the sensations I felt, and it was due to the leaving of some nerve matter in your tooth root.