When you have a vulnerable tooth or one that has already been affected by some sort of trauma, our Mesa, AZ dentist may recommend that you have a dental crown placed over it.
A crown is a restoration that looks like a cap that’s we set over your tooth as a cover to protect it from being damaged any further. They’re ideal for weak teeth, broken enamel, large cavities, or if you recently had a root canal performed.
To prepare your tooth for a crown, Dr. Huynh reduce the size of your tooth and often trim some of the excess gum tissue away. If you have a cavity, we’ll also remove it, then fill in the area with a type filling material that we call a “buildup.”
Depending on how severe the trauma was, it’s not uncommon to have some complications or minor sensitivity after getting a crown done. Here are some common reasons why you may be having problems after a crown procedure and what else you can expect during recovery.
Initial Soreness
Having a dental crown requires that a lot of work be done, not only to your tooth but to the gum tissue as well. It will take your body some time to recoup, so some initial soreness is not uncommon. If your tooth is sore to chew on them just chew on the other side of your mouth or eat soft things for the first several days.
Soon enough you’ll be able to tolerate your normal diet. If needed, you can take some ibuprofen until your symptoms get better.
Gum Irritation
If a lot of work was done to your gum tissue, then you can expect it to be sore. To help with this temporary issue, you can rinse your mouth several times a day with a warm saltwater solution. Brushing your gums gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush may make them bleed but the bleeding promotes healing, so don’t avoid cleaning them.
Large Cavity/Cold Sensitivity
Cavities start on the outer surface of the tooth and as they grow, they get deeper and closer to the nerve. This causes increased sensitivity. Anytime there is a large amount of decay, recovering from dental work can take some time for your new tooth to adjust to it. Cold sensitivity may be experienced in the meantime. If you’re experiencing this symptom, it may be helpful for you to brush with a sensitivity toothpaste until your sensitivity subsides.
Dental Abscess
In the case that your cold sensitivity doesn’t get better or turns into heat sensitivity, then you may have an abscessed nerve. To fix this issue, you will need root canal therapy, which will remove the infected nerve tissue from the tooth. Other signs that you may need additional treatment include pain with biting or that’s severe enough to wake you up at night.
Initially, it can be hard to determine if a tooth is abscessing or going to abscess so having to have a root canal after getting a new crown isn’t unheard of. Sometimes you just have to wait and see how your natural tooth is going to respond to the first phase of treatment.
Your Bite Is Too High
When making room for and designing your dental crown, Dr. Huynh must make sure that there is enough clearance for your crown to fit properly and align with your opposing teeth. If your crown is too high when you bite your teeth together, the crown will be the only tooth that hits. As a result, you’ll begin to experience discomfort and pain in that area.
If this occurs, give it a few days to see if you get used to it, but if you don’t, then you’ll need to come see our Mesa dentist for an adjustment. While some distortions will work themselves out, others will need to be adjusted by a dentist. Doing so is simple. By having you bite down on a marking paper ,Dr. Huynh can see exactly what part of your tooth is hitting too hard and adjust it accordingly. Usually, it’s such a small amount that it doesn’t compromise the integrity of the crown whatsoever.
Don’t Hesitate to See Our Mesa Dentist
If your symptoms don’t get better within a few weeks or worsen over time, then you should come in for a follow-up appointment for Dr. Huynh to check the area and determine what’s going on. Dr. Vinh Huynh and the staff of Eastport Dental in Mesa, AZ are here to help you throughout the entire crown treatment. We’re always here for you, so don’t hesitate to give us a call!
