Had a crown prep procedure and there has been an intense throbbing pain that comes and goes.

Question

I do not know what causes the pain but it is not random. It occurs often when i take naps, and at night, almost like clock work. Rarely it hurts during the day. It is slightly sensitive to cold and a little more sensitive to heat. The doctor said the procedure ran close to the nerve as the cavity was pretty deep. Thanks in advance!

Sarah Thompson, DMD · Answer

Hello there,I'm sorry to hear that you're experiencing pain with your crown.  I would recommend returning to your dentist for a complete evaluation.  A simple bite adjustment may be all you need.  If your symptoms persist two weeks after an adjustment, a root canal may be necessary. Be sure to tell your dentist that this occurs more often at night.  I suspect that you are clenching or grinding your teeth while you sleep.  If this is the case, I would recommend a custom fitted nightguard to prevent damage to your
teeth and gums.  Good luck and I hope this helps. Follow me if you have more questions.Sarah Thompson, DMDSt. Louis, MO area (O'Fallon, IL)Real Self 100

Yocasta Caba, DDS · Answer

Is it possible that you are night time clenching? If so, that could make a new crown area very painful. A new crown can make your mouth feel different enough to cause the clenching to occur, too. Night time clenching and grinding is the hardest to catch (unless a partner does) and also the hardest to correct. It's hard to stop doing something while you're asleep.Try as hard as you can to relax your jaw before going to sleep and if the pain doesn't go away in a few weeks (you need to give your mouth a chance to adjust to a new crown) then you may need that root canal. You may also want to give a night time mouth guard a try. The very act of preparing a tooth for a crown occasionally results in root canal procedures.GOOD LUCK and I hope this helps.

Prince Arrington III, DDS · Answer

Based on your description of pain during sleep, I suspect that that you my be clenching or grinding (bruxing) your teeth. Extraoral habits, such as clenching or grinding are often manifested during sleep. These habits can be precipitated after a crown procedure, especially if the temporary crown is slightly high in occlusion. A simple occlusal (bite) adjustment will alleviate the problem. And if it does not solve the problem, it will at least be diagnostic and you can remedy a potentially worse problem such as irreversible pulpitis (pulp damage which requires root canal therapy or extraction). The fact that the tooth is heat sensitive gives credence to the possibility that the tooth may have irreversible pulpitis. However, I believe in trying the simplist solution first (occlusal adjustment). Return to your dentist right away! Wishing you well!

Vicki Borowski, DDS · Answer

Your symptoms are classic for a tooth that is becoming irreversibly irritated and needs a root canal. I suggest scheduling with your dentist or an endodontist ASAP before the pain becomes more uncomfortable.

Had a crown prep procedure and there has been an intense throbbing pain that comes and goes.

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