Pain from a dental crown should not be taken lightly. Toothaches can begin as a mild discomfort and progress rather quickly and severely. Thus, immediate dental care is highly recommended.
What causes a toothache in a tooth that has a dental crown?
Well, there is a hollow space in the middle of each tooth that holds the tooth’s nerve. A toothache typically stems from the tooth’s nerve becoming inflamed. The nerve can become inflamed from many different causes: a large cavity that developed underneath the crown, a fracture in the tooth, too much biting force on the tooth, or a traumatic blow. The pain can present in a wide range of forms, from sporadic discomfort to lingering severe pain. Also, the pain can have various triggers: cold water, hot water, chewing, or speaking.
What can relieve the discomfort? Every situation is different, but these are possible treatments:
Reduce the biting force on the tooth crown: In some situations, a toothache may be due to excessive force on a tooth during chewing. Your dentist may adjust your bite and slightly reduce the crown’s height. As a result, the biting force would be reduced on that tooth and dispersed evenly throughout the mouth.
Root canal: If the tooth’s nerve is inflamed and causing pain, a root canal is sometimes needed. During a root canal procedure, the nerve of the tooth is removed and the internal space holding the nerve is disinfected and filled with a biocompatible dental material.
Dental extraction: In some situations, the tooth may be severely broken down or fractured, and the tooth may not be able to be saved. In this case, the tooth may need to be extracted, and your dentist would discuss the options to replace the tooth (like a dental implant or bridge).
What else mimics a toothache?
Actually, some people experience symptoms that closely resemble a toothache but stem from other sources, like a sinus infection. In this situation, your dentist will discuss your medical history and take an x-ray to check if a sinus infection is present.
What is the first step of emergency dental care for a toothache?
An x-ray and an evaluation by a dentist are needed to form a definitive diagnosis and discuss treatment options.
