Why does a tooth hurt under a crown: the main reasons

 The reasons may lie either in poor-quality installation of the crown or in the patient’s inattention to himself. Let's look at the most common ones.

1. The nerve under the crown of the tooth hurts 

In this case, an itchy, bursting or throbbing pain is felt. 

It is important to note when exactly these sensations occurred. If immediately after fixing the crown , then this is normal, since adaptation to the foreign body occurs. Also, at first there may be a change in diction, tastes and even smells (this rarely happens). 

The cause of prolonged pain may also be a loose fit of the crown to the cervical part of the tooth. When the latter is ground down and the top layer of enamel is removed, the dentin - the inner tissue - remains unprotected and thus reacts to external stimuli. Monitor your condition: if your temperature suddenly rises or your gums become swollen, do not hesitate to contact your doctor. We will discuss other symptoms for an urgent visit to the dentist below. 

If pain occurs a long time after installation (several months or even years), then most likely it is an inflammatory process. There may be several reasons: the structure has become loose or the crown initially did not fit tightly to the tooth. Perhaps the doctor did not completely remove the nerve or the filling did not reach the top of the root, as a result of which microorganisms began to multiply in the cavity. 

2. Tooth hurts under a temporary crown 

Before installing permanent structures, the patient walks with temporary ones for some time. This allows your smile to look aesthetically pleasing and protects already ground teeth. 

Temporary structures, as a rule, are more fragile and adhere less well to the tooth - creating ideal conditions for the growth of bacteria. Failure by the patient to follow oral hygiene rules can aggravate the situation and lead to inflammation. That’s why it’s so important to brush your teeth properly, use dental floss and an irrigator. Do not delay the installation of a permanent crown.  

3. Tooth hurts after grinding 

Grinding teeth is not a very pleasant process. And if you add to this aching painful sensations, a reaction to cold and hot, it becomes completely uncomfortable. 

If work was carried out on teeth with a removed nerve, increased sensitivity to heat and cold may occur. This is fine. A reaction to a retraction thread, a special material that dentists use to displace gum tissue, can also be painful. As a rule, the pain goes away quickly. 

4. Toothache under the crown when pressing 

Discomfort when pressing on the gum makes it difficult to eat. These symptoms can appear a day after installation, and ten years later.

It is important when the unpleasant sensations appear. The gums, which are injured when taking impressions and installing structures, may hurt. This goes away in a few days. If the pain does not disappear and, in addition, swelling, puffiness, and an unpleasant odor appear, we are definitely talking about inflammation. 

5. Root crack or fracture 

Serious, common problem (1). A pulpless tooth is very fragile. Once the nerves are removed, the hard tissue becomes thinner and can easily crack under improper stress. Have you bitten into a hard fruit? Did you eat nuts? Have you been chewing toffee? More than enough for such an injury to happen. 

It is impossible not to notice it: along with the pain, strong mobility of the structure is felt. 

6. Incorrect installation of the crown 

Placing a crown correctly is a piece of jewelry work. Hundredths of a millimeter to the side - and now the edge of the structure extends beyond the gum. This is fraught with the formation of a periodontal pocket, the accumulation of microbes, bleeding, swelling and pain.

7. Failure to comply with oral hygiene rules 

If a tooth is covered with a durable structure, this does not mean that it is not afraid of anything. It is necessary to clean the interdental spaces with special care. Neglect of these rules is fraught with accumulation of plaque near the surface of the gums. It quickly turns into tartar and becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. Hence the inflammation and pain.