tooth aching but new crown put in place

Hi

My dentist has replaced my heavily filled teeth with six crowns to date with work for two more crowns to be undertaken.   Recently two of the teeth were prepared while I waited for the new crowns to arrive.  Since then I've had constant really bad pain from one of the teeth waiting to be crowned.  As an xray had been taken prior to having the work done for the crowns ruling out any holes or root canal treatment required my dentist insisted on putting the new crowns on the two teeth.  I have since been back twice complaining bitterly about the pain with the dentist checking and adjusting the bite each time.  He has mentioned I will probably require drilling through the new crown and having the nerve removed.
I would really appreciate someone telling me why the dentist thought the ache would be fixed by putting the new crown on?  Why should I have my new crown subjected to drilling when the ache could have been resolved prior to putting the new crown on?  I also do not feel my dentist cares about my suffering.  My dentist suggested I call his office during the following week if the pain continued but luckily I have an appointment in three days time.  Does he not care about my pain or does he have too many patients to look after??  

[Gellia]

Hi,
I think he is trying to be ultra conservative.  Many times just prepping the teeth for a crown can make them ache, but that generally goes away as the tooth settles down.  That is probably is what he figured, as that is most common.

Occasionally there is one that the nerve has become just too irritated and requires root canal.
Root canal through a crown is really no different than root canal through a tooth.  It will be filled and you won't even know it.  It doesn't hurt the crown integrity.

I'm sure your dentist cares about your pain but he is being conservative and hopes that your tooth will follow the norm and the pain will resolve itself with a few bite adjustments and some time.  It can take a few weeks.

But, if the pain continues after that, a root canal is standard procedure.

Hope this helps.
Best to you,
Gellia  

[meganpepi]

Thank you for your thoughts.  I can relate to what you are saying but it's hard to imagine the tooth settling down when the pain is so severe.  I guess the pain is magnified by the fact I also have pain in the head all the time (am on opiods and with a pain specialist).  This chronic pain condition is separate to the problem with my crown.

I was also wondering how the dentist knows the colour of the crown when it comes to matching the rest of the teeth.  Is it standard practice for the dentist to match different colours for the crowns with my teeth as this wasn't done?  Four of my crowns have a yellow tinge and I would not have allowed them to be put in my mouth if I'd know beforehand. It was only due to me saying something about the colour that the recent two crowns are fine colourwise.

Thanks for anyones help (in advance).

[Gellia]

Hi,
Yes, it is standard practice to discuss color and you should have been asked about the crown color before your permanent crowns were made.  A lot of dentists just match them to the rest of the teeth without even thinking the person may want them a different shade.  Natural tooth color is darker toward the back teeth with them becoming whiter toward the front teeth.   He may be taking that into consideration but I'm really surprised you weren't consulted about it.

Many times a prepped tooth just won't settle down.  Your dentist may be giving it extra time as your other problem may magnify the pain.  If not, you may need that root canal done.

It's pretty common for a tooth nerve to become inflamed when it is being prepped for a crown.  One always hopes it will settle down.  Some just don't.  
How long you wait will depend on you and your dentist coming to an agreement on it.  

Hopefully you will not be in too much pain for much longer either way.

GOOD LUCK and let us know how you are doing.
My best to you,
Gellia

[meganpepi]

You have been so helpful and I will feel more confident visiting the dentist on Monday (2 days time & counting!!).  I'm determined to not leave the dentist's chair unless something has been done to help me with the pain.  I've also decided another crown will not be put in my mouth unless I see it beforehand.

Thank you again for your time and for caring.

Take care
meganpepi