Having a crown should end tooth pain — the crown covers and protects the remaining tooth structure. When pain persists under a crown, it means something beneath the crown is still being stimulated. Understanding the possible causes helps you know when to be concerned.
Normal Post-Crown Sensitivity
It's normal for a newly crowned tooth to feel tender or sensitive for up to two weeks after placement. The tooth has been prepared, often with significant reduction of tooth structure, and the nerve may still be inflamed from the procedure. Temperature sensitivity (especially to cold) and tenderness when chewing are common and should gradually decrease.
When the Pain Isn't Normal
Decay under the crown can develop if the crown margin (the edge where the crown meets the tooth) has any gaps or if cement washes out over time. Bacteria and sugar work their way under the crown and attack the remaining tooth structure. This can happen even years after the crown was placed if the margin fails.
Nerve damage before the crown was placed — if the tooth had a deep cavity or previous trauma, the nerve may have been irreversibly damaged. In these cases, the crown doesn't resolve the problem because the nerve itself is the issue. Root canal treatment through the crown is usually needed.
A crack in the remaining tooth structure under the crown is a significant cause of ongoing pain and one of the more difficult problems to diagnose. The crack may not be visible on X-ray and can only be identified by symptoms and clinical testing.
What to Do
Persistent pain under a crown that lasts beyond two weeks, or pain that develops months or years after the crown was placed, needs assessment. We can take an X-ray to check the bone around the root and assess whether there's infection. Don't wait — the underlying cause won't resolve on its own.
If any of this sounds familiar, book an assessment with us. The sooner we take a look, the simpler the treatment is likely to be. Call the practice on 01323 723757 or book online at www.meadsdental.com.