Tooth Sensitivity after Dental Crown Treatment

Broken, cracked, or otherwise damaged teeth are a problem for many people, but these problems can be treated with dental crowns.

For most people, dental crown treatment helps alleviate dental pain and restores oral health, but some may experience temporary tooth sensitivity after treatment. At Dr. Thomas Tang’s practice in Brookfield, WI, we discuss tooth sensitivity after dental crown treatment, including how long it lasts and how you can prevent it.

What Causes Tooth Sensitivity after Dental Crown Treatment?

Although dental crown treatment usually helps alleviate dental pain, tooth sensitivity may occur after treatment. Tooth sensitivity may be temporary or it may be a sign of something more serious. Let's take a closer look at some of the causes of tooth sensitivity after dental crown treatment.

Temporary Tissue Inflammation

When tooth sensitivity develops after dental crown treatment, it's often a temporary side effect of the procedure itself and will resolve within a few days.

This type of temporary sensitivity is generally a result of tissue inflammation that can occur within the pulp tissues, which may become irritated during the dental crown procedure.

In most cases, tooth sensitivity caused by inflammation will resolve on its own as the tissues heal. Taking anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, can help reduce pain in the interim.

The Dental Crown Doesn’t Fit Correctly

When placing a dental crown, portions of the tooth are removed to help the crown sit at the same level as the tooth did prior to treatment and the crown is checked for proper fit.

Despite taking measures to ensure a proper fit, sometimes a dental crown may sit just a little bit too high or not quite right after placement. This can cause irritation when chewing and biting, leading to tooth sensitivity.

The Tooth’s Nerve Is Damaged

When tooth sensitivity persists after dental crown treatment, or becomes worse, it may be a sign of nerve damage.

The nerve tissue within a tooth may become irritated after dental crown treatment if it was not removed. Irritation may come from the placement of a crown, or if the tooth was cracked or had a large cavity, bacteria may have entered the tooth and infected the nerve tissue. Such problems with the nerve tissue may not become apparent until after a dental crown is placed.

Alleviating Tooth Sensitivity after Dental Crown Treatment

Alleviating tooth sensitivity after dental crown treatment depends on the underlying cause of the pain, which can be determined through a thorough dental examination at our Brookfield practice. Once a cause is determined, tooth sensitivity may be treated in the following ways:

• Anti-inflammatory medications: When tooth sensitivity is caused by inflammation from the dental crown procedure, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, are often effective at treating dental pain until the inflammation resolves.
• Crown adjustment: If tooth sensitivity is caused by the crown sitting too high or not quite right, the crown can be adjusted. After the crown is adjusted, pain should resolve within a few days.
• Root canal therapy: In situations where tooth sensitivity is caused by damage to the tooth’s nerve, root canal therapy may be necessary. Once the nerve is removed, pain should subside.

Schedule an Appointment

If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity after dental crown treatment, you are encouraged to schedule a consultation at our Brookfield practice. Please call our friendly team at (262) 207-4867 to reserve your appointment.