Having a dental crown placed over a damaged tooth can be a simple to moderately complex procedure, depending on the state of the tooth in question. Many people, especially patients who haven’t had this type of dental work in the past, may notice pain when chewing after getting a crown. They might wonder if something went wrong with their procedure.
So, what’s the answer? Should it hurt to chew after a crown is placed on your tooth?
According to the dentists at Long Island Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry, mild pain associated with chewing after a crown procedure is fairly normal. That being said, if the pain seems moderate to severe, or feels like it’s getting worse over time, you should speak with your dentist right away.
Mild Pain and Discomfort is Normal
Modern dentistry is more pain- and discomfort-free than ever before, but unfortunately, some procedures can cause irritation, even when executed perfectly. If your pain from chewing isn’t too severe, the tooth may just need some time to calm down. Referred to as “reversible pulpitis,” this type of tooth pain should respond to over the counter anti-inflammatory medications like Advil®, and should get better after a few days. If you feel like your tooth is getting better, and OTC meds help you manage, you’re probably in the clear.
What About Moderate Pain that Seems to be Worsening?
If you’re experiencing pain after chewing with a crown, and it seems to be getting worse, you may need an additional procedure. Adding a crown to a damaged tooth can be a traumatic event for the tooth structure, and can lead to an exposed nerve, or cracks in your tooth’s root. It may be necessary to have a root canal or have fillings in your tooth redone. Even if you had a root canal prior to, or as part of your crowning procedure, it is possible that not all of the nerve was removed.
In any case, the only way to ease your pain will require another visit to the dentist.
“I Have Mild Discomfort from Chewing on a Crown and it’s Not Getting Better”
In this case, it’s highly possible that your crown just needs to be adjusted. Crowns that are too tall will cause you to put more pressure on the tooth root with every bite. Your dental professional can adjust the size of the crown to make sure your bite is natural and pain-free. Again, if you’re noticing pain that isn’t going away, you need to contact your dentist and schedule an appointment. It’s the only way to make sure there isn’t something more serious going on.
Amazing Dental Care Right in Your Backyard
Rocky Point, Long Island cosmetic dentists Dr. Elliot and Dr. Nick use cutting edge CEREC™ technology to produce great-fitting durable crowns right here in Suffolk County. If you have questions about existing dental work or think that you might need a crown or implant, you should schedule a consultation today.
At Long Island Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry, our goal is to provide dental experiences and results that far surpass anything you have experienced. We strive to make your next procedure as pain- and stress-free as possible. Call today to learn more about improving your smile with CEREC crowns on Long Island.
Additional resources:
- Bauersmiles.com, Tooth Hurts After Crown, https://www.bauersmiles.com/2017/09/tooth-hurts-after-crown.html/
- Immediadent.com, How Do Dental Crowns Work? https://immediadent.com/blog/how-do-dental-crowns-work/
- Colgate.com, Tooth Crown Pain: Causes and Treatment, https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/cosmetic-dentistry/bridges-and-crowns/tooth-crown-pain-causes-treatment-0616
