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Question:
Crown Pain for 6 years: I have three molars that have been crowned, all installed by the same dentist.
The last crown installed has caused me pain off and on since installation nearly six years ago. Three years ago a large piece split off so I suspect it was high.
If I bite down hard on the tooth it hurts quite severely when I release the bite. My current dentist has rebuked my inquiry about replacing the crown, pushing to instead do a root canal.
He has done xrays and says he sees no problem with the crown. Would a root canal make sense, or should it be possible to simply replace this crown and stop the pain? ...Visitor from MN
Answer:
Pain in a Tooth with a Crown
When a crown is done, generally it is due to deep decay within the tooth. Deep decay is caused by a bacterial infection and the bacteria penetrate inside the tooth far deeper than dental decay.
The dentist cleans out the decay and puts a crown on the tooth. As time goes by, the bacteria either die off or grow in numbers causing tooth pain and eventual abcess. Some studies suggest it could take up to 7 years for this process.
When a tooth is painful "off and on" for years, it suggests that the nerve is being attacked by bacteria. The body will react and try to defend itself.
However, once the pain is significant and consistant, it is fairly clear that your tooth is infected and must be treated. You have two choices of treatment for an infected tooth, extraction or a root canal.
If you want to save the tooth, your dentist is right in suggesting a root canal first and then replace the crown after the tooth calms down. You may find yourself a lot more comfortable after the root canal is completed and the infection removed.
Be aware that root canal treatment is not always successful. Sometimes the tooth is cracked under the crown or there are side canals that cannot be reached.
Editorial Staff
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