What Are the Common Causes of Bite Pain on a Crowned Tooth?

biting down on something ordinary like a piece of food? If your crown hurts when chewing, you’re not alone. A common question patients have is, why does my crown hurt when I put pressure on it, especially when the pain was expected to disappear after the procedure. 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 Reasons Your Crown Hurts When Chewing or Biting Down

Before looking at the specific causes in detail, it helps to understand that the type of discomfort you feel can often point to the underlying issue. For example, if your crown hurts when chewing only on one side or you notice sharp pain when biting down on a crown, the pattern of that pain can provide useful clues about whether the problem is related to bite alignment, tooth structure, grinding, or infection. The table below highlights some common pain patterns and what they may indicate.

1. 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. Mild soreness after a new crown is common, and there are several ways to relieve tooth pain after crown placement while your bite adjusts. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

When Is It Normal for a Crown to Hurt When Biting Down?

Mild pressure sensitivity after crown placement is common during the first few days. However, if your crown hurts when chewing for longer than a week — or the pain becomes sharper over time — it may indicate a bite alignment issue, infection, or nerve irritation that requires evaluation.

Typical short-term symptoms include:

• mild pressure sensitivity
• gum soreness near the crown
• temporary temperature sensitivity

Symptoms that should be evaluated include:

• sharp pain when biting
• worsening pressure discomfort
• swelling around the crown

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.

FAQ – Crown Hurts When Biting Down