Pain with new Cerec crown

[dundermifflin]

Is it normal to have pain after a Cerec crown?  I just had one placed yesterday on tooth #15.  A corner broke off while I was eating.  Initially, I was told that I had two options---a crown or a filling.  I was told by the dentist that a crown, while more expensive, would be more stable.  I was told the benefit of the filling was the cost.

My jaw on this side of my face feels tight and really hurts.  It is also a little bit puffy compared to the other side of my face.  There is also a strange metallic taste in my mouth that was not there before and I spit up trace amounts of blood last night.  The tooth is also sensitive to temperature.  I am also exhausted from not sleeping last night, I just couldn't get comfortable.  

Prior to the crown, I had no pain at all even though the tooth was cracked.  During the procedure yesterday, the dentist told me that the condition of the tooth was worse than he originally thought during the initial consult a week ago.  He said that I was very close to needing a root canal and if I had waited, I would have definitely needed one.  

That being said, is it possible that I really did need a root canal or that one is in my near future?  Or are these sort of symptoms normal and something that will wane as time goes by?  When I called the dentist's office earlier today, I was told this was all normal and to wait and see.  I understand that but the pain and the nasty taste in my mouth is just awful.  

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

It may take some time.  Its hard for me to answer since I'm not the treating dentist but when we drill, it can cause trauma to the area which can cause sensitivity.  If the decay or problem is deep, that also contributes to the sensitivity/pain afterwards.  I don't think there's a difference between a CEREC crown and a crown made in a lab in regards to post-operative sensitivity.  

Oh.  Well I wouldn't call it oozing after laser treatment.  Its just that the tissue has been slightly burnt so will result in a bad taste afterwards.  Try gently rinsing with some hydrogen peroxide and water mixed together (3% H2O2 with water at 50/50).  See if that helps with the bad taste.  

I wouldn't extract the tooth if it can be helped.  Teeth are body parts and shouldn't be removed unless its a last resort.  I always imagine teeth as fingers and no one would want to lose a finger unless it was absolutely necessary to prevent a bigger problem.  

[dundermifflin]

Thank you for replying!

So I would be correct to assume that it might be quite a while before the tooth feels normal again (if it ever returns to normal?)  Is pain normal after a CEREC crown?  To be honest, I wasn't expecting this much.  Naproxen seems to help to a degree but does wear off. I want to minimize how much of that I take.  The area above my tooth is also tender and puffy but I assume that is from the anethestic?

When I called the dentist's office this morning and inquired about the nasty taste, I was told that it "might" because my gums are "oozing"...whatever that means.  The dental assistant I spoke with said that it might be because of the lazer they used on my gums and that the taste should subside eventually.  I hope this is true because it is very gross!

I dread the prospect of a root canal.  I think the pain would be unbearable and after this latest go round, I am very sensitive to pain.  That being said, would an extraction of tooth #15 be an option?  I understand that would be painful too but would subside eventually.  Is it likely that the rest of the teeth would shift if tooth #15 is extracted, resulting in even more problems?

Thank you for taking the time to reply to my many questions.  It is greatly appreciated!  

[Jerome Tsang, DDS]

I'm not sure exactly why you have a bad taste in your mouth.  It could be from the cement used but the CEREC crown should not have any metal in it.  If the tooth is worse off than he initially though, it may be necessary to do a root canal on the tooth.  

It may take some time to resolve but if it doesn't improve or worsens in the next 4 weeks, it'll need a root canal.