Dental Crowns Do Not Eliminate All Dental Issues
By Joe McIntyre, DDS on November 08, 2021
When we hear about dental crown pain, it’s usually only mentioned by patients while discussing their experiences during the healing process. This is because dental crowns are a successful restoration option, bringing cosmetic and structural integrity to damaged teeth with little risk of complication. All that being true, it doesn’t mean that your dental crowns are immune from all forms of oral health issues. It’s important to remember to care for your dental crowns as diligently as you would your natural teeth.
Smiles for Life Dental Care serves the Harrisonburg, VA, area from our offices in Bridgewater, VA, and Staunton, VA, and always puts our patients first. That’s why we want you to know the importance of maintaining proper hygiene before and after your procedure. When you take care of your dental crowns, they can last for up to ten years. Cutting corners on your daily oral health routine can result in adverse conditions that impact your holistic health. Before we ever schedule the dental crown treatment, we review the possible causes for dental crown pain and how to stop it before it starts.
Sources of Dental Crown Pain
We always tell our Harrisonburg-area patients that a dental crown is like a cap that fits over an affected tooth, but that doesn’t mean it’s not subject to the same stresses as your teeth. Crowns have many different uses, and therefore, there’s many different reasons for dental crown pain. Here are the three core causes:
- Infection
- Crown Damage
Infection Beneath the Crown
Oral infections must be dealt with immediately by a medical professional. If you have a fever, gum swelling, or pain when you bite, there could be an infection at the site of the crown. This could be from bacteria entering below the base of the crown, an old filling on the tooth beneath the crown, or residual infection from a tooth that didn’t have a root canal. No matter the cause, if you have infection symptoms, call our office for treatment immediately.
Damage to Dental Crown
Dental crowns aren’t infallible. With enough force from chewing, teeth grinding, or external pressures, crowns can chip, crack, or fracture just like your natural teeth. If damage isn’t visible, try to feel what happens when you breathe air in through your mouth. If you experience some pain, it’s a good indication there’s a hairline fracture, which you can feel beneath the crown when you breathe or consume hot or cold beverages.
Receding Gum Line
Take a look at your crown. Do you see what looks like yellow residue on the tooth below the crown? If you do, you’re likely looking at exposed dentin. Poor brushing habits and age can result in gums that shrink below the teeth. Dentin is a support substance that exists beneath the gums and can become irritated as the gums recede. If you see dentin, it’s a sign that you need to make an appointment to have a dental crown refit.
Book Your Appointment
If you’ve noticed dental crown pain, schedule an appointment with Smiles for Life Dental Care. We’ll get to the bottom of your dental discomfort and set you on a path to elevated oral health. To schedule a time to speak with us, call our offices at (540) 828-2312 or send us a message online today.
