Have you been bothered by moderate to severe pain under a crowned tooth? Is the pain noticeable when biting down on something ordinary like a piece of food? You might be feeling confused and frustrated right now because the pain was supposed to go away when you got a crown — right? However, there are various factors that could explain why you feel pain under a crowned tooth when biting down or chewing.
Whether you are feeling sharp pain under a crown that was added within the last week, or you have a persistent ache coming from a tooth that was crowned months or years ago, you just want the pain to stop. Plus, you want answers. Bloom Dental of Arlington has helped countless patients from D.C. to Ballston with flawless dental crown procedures, and we are here to provide answers to all of your questions and dental care needs. Let’s take a look at five reasons why you might be feeling tooth pain when biting down on a crown.
5 Potential Causes of Severe Pain Under a Crowned Tooth
Soreness After Getting a New Crown
If you got a new crown very recently, don’t be alarmed by some mild soreness or tender, sensitive gums after the procedure. A new crown will take some time to completely settle into your mouth, but as long as you are only experiencing mild pain or discomfort, there should be nothing to worry about. You can take some over-the-counter pain medication to help with any toothaches you have in the days following a new crown procedure.
Dental Crown Too High or Misaligned
When you repair damaged or decaying teeth with crowns, the biting surface of those teeth are changed. If your dental crown is too high or improperly positioned, that may result in moderate to severe pain in your tooth when biting down. If your bite feels off after getting a crown and you feel pain when biting down, you may want to consider asking a dentist if the crown is loose or if it needs to be adjusted.
Tooth Fracture or Cavity Under Crown
If you are feeling sharp, severe pain in a crowned tooth, you can’t rule out the possibility of the tooth being fractured. Additionally, there could be a cavity somewhere in the remaining part of your tooth. Any sharp, shooting pains you get from a crowned tooth should be discussed with a dentist who can determine if there is any damage that needs to be addressed.
Pain From Grinding Teeth
While tooth grinding can even cause discomfort for individuals who don’t have crowns, grinding your teeth when you do have crowns can definitely cause some serious pain. Many people who grind their teeth do so subconsciously or while they are sleeping. So, even if you know you aren’t a tooth grinder, do not rule out this possibility if you are dealing with unexplainable pain when biting down on a crowned tooth.
Tooth grinding can be especially harmful when done within the days, weeks, and months immediately after the procedure; the sooner it occurs after getting the crown, the more harmful it is. If you do grind your teeth and you need help finding solutions, a dentist can fit you with a mouthguard to help prevent grinding.
Infection
If you are dealing with severe pain that you’re sure isn’t associated with any of the first four potential causes we listed, you could be dealing with an infected tooth. That’s not as likely if your tooth was crowned after receiving a root canal procedure, because the “pulp” or nerves and connective tissue of your tooth are removed during root canals. In other words, someone with a crowned tooth that did not receive root canal treatment is more likely to have an infection under their crown because, well, they still have pulp, which would be the tissue hosting an infection and causing pain. But before you jump to any conclusions, be sure to consult with a dentist about any pain you are feeling under a crowned tooth when biting down. Bloom Dental of Arlington can provide the solutions you need.
Find Lasting Pain Relief at Bloom Dental of Arlington
From dental crowns and cosmetic bonding to root canals and pediatric dentistry, Bloom Dental of Arlington has cutting-edge solutions for all issues and every member of your family. Our root canal dentists in Arlington take pride in executing flawless treatment for their patients, putting an end to deeply-rooted toothaches and other dental disasters. Contact us today to schedule an appointment or consultation.