If your dental crown hurts when you put pressure on it, this discomfort often signals an underlying issue that requires professional attention. As per dental insights, it could be due to an ill-fitting crown, tooth decay, or gum disease. It's crucial to consult your dentist to diagnose the exact cause and receive appropriate treatment, as neglecting the pain can lead to more serious dental problems over time.
Common Reasons for Crown Pain Under Pressure
Several factors can contribute to pain when pressure is applied to a dental crown. Understanding these potential causes can help you describe your symptoms more accurately to your dentist.
1. Ill-Fitting Crown
A crown that doesn't fit properly is a very common cause of pain. This can happen if the crown is too high, creating a "high spot" that takes the brunt of your biting force.
- Uneven Bite: If the crown is higher than your other teeth, it receives excessive pressure when you bite down, leading to soreness in the tooth or surrounding tissues.
- Improper Sealing: A poorly fitted crown might not seal correctly, allowing bacteria to seep underneath and cause irritation or decay.
- Initial Sensitivity: Sometimes, newly placed crowns can cause temporary sensitivity due to the procedure itself, but this should subside. Persistent pain often indicates a fit issue.
2. Tooth Decay Under the Crown
Even though a crown covers a tooth, the underlying tooth structure can still develop decay if bacteria manage to get beneath the crown's margins.
- Bacterial Invasion: Gaps, cracks, or an improper seal can allow food particles and bacteria to penetrate, leading to new cavities.
- Nerve Irritation: As decay progresses, it can reach the pulp (nerve) of the tooth, causing sharp pain, especially when pressure is applied or when eating hot or cold foods.
- Silent Progression: Decay under a crown can be difficult to detect without dental X-rays, making regular check-ups vital.
3. Gum Disease (Gingivitis or Periodontitis)
The gum tissue surrounding your crowned tooth can become inflamed or infected, leading to pain and sensitivity.
- Inflammation: Plaque buildup around the crown can irritate the gums, causing gingivitis (gum inflammation).
- Recession: Advanced gum disease (periodontitis) can lead to gum recession and bone loss around the tooth, exposing the root surface and making it sensitive to pressure.
- Poor Oral Hygiene: Inadequate brushing and flossing around the crown can contribute to plaque accumulation and subsequent gum issues.
Other Potential Causes
Beyond the most common issues, other conditions can also cause a crowned tooth to hurt under pressure:
- Bruxism (Teeth Grinding/Clenching): Chronic grinding or clenching of teeth can put immense pressure on crowns and natural teeth, leading to pain, muscle soreness, and even crown damage.
- Cracked Tooth Syndrome: The natural tooth structure beneath the crown might develop a crack, which can be very painful, especially when biting or releasing pressure.
- Pulpitis (Nerve Inflammation/Infection): If the nerve inside the crowned tooth becomes inflamed or infected (either from deep decay, trauma, or a prior dental procedure), it can cause significant pain when pressure is applied, or even spontaneous pain. This often necessitates a root canal.
- Abscess: An infection at the root of the tooth, often due to untreated decay or nerve issues, can form an abscess, causing throbbing pain and sensitivity to pressure.
Symptoms to Look For
Identifying accompanying symptoms can help your dentist narrow down the cause of your crown pain.
| Cause | Common Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Ill-Fitting Crown | Pain when biting down, sensitive to hot/cold initially, feeling of high spot, general discomfort in the area. |
| Tooth Decay | Sharp pain when biting, sensitivity to hot/cold/sweet, persistent ache, bad breath, visible discoloration (if decay is advanced and exposed). |
| Gum Disease | Red, swollen, bleeding gums around the crown; tenderness when brushing or flossing; bad breath; receding gums; sometimes pus. |
| Bruxism | Jaw pain, headaches, worn tooth surfaces, fractured crown, tenderness in the crowned tooth, especially in the morning. |
| Cracked Tooth | Sharp, fleeting pain when biting down and releasing pressure; often difficult to pinpoint the exact tooth; sensitivity to temperature changes. |
| Pulpitis/Abscess | Persistent, throbbing pain; sensitivity to hot/cold that lingers; swelling of the face or gums; fever; bad taste in mouth; pain when chewing or tapping the tooth. |
What to Do When Your Crown Hurts
If you experience pain when putting pressure on your dental crown, it's paramount to schedule an appointment with your dentist promptly. They can accurately diagnose the problem using various methods:
- Clinical Examination: Checking the crown's fit, assessing gum health, and looking for visible signs of decay or damage.
- X-rays: To detect decay under the crown, bone loss, or issues at the tooth's root.
- Bite Registration: Using articulating paper to check the bite and identify high spots.
- Pulp Vitality Tests: To assess the health of the tooth's nerve.
Potential Treatments
Treatment depends entirely on the underlying cause:
- For an Ill-Fitting Crown: The dentist may adjust the bite (occlusal adjustment), or in some cases, a new crown may be necessary.
- For Tooth Decay: If the decay is minor, it might be removed and filled. If extensive, the crown may need to be removed, decay treated, and a new crown placed.
- For Gum Disease: Professional cleaning (scaling and root planing) to remove plaque and tartar, and improved oral hygiene practices.
- For Pulpitis/Abscess: A root canal procedure is often required to remove the infected nerve tissue, followed by a new filling or crown if necessary. An abscess may also require drainage.
- For Bruxism: A nightguard may be recommended to protect the crown and natural teeth from grinding forces.
- For Cracked Tooth: Treatment depends on the severity of the crack, ranging from bonding to a crown or even extraction if the crack extends too deep.
Ignoring the pain is not recommended, as it could lead to more severe complications such as extensive decay, nerve damage requiring a root canal, or even tooth loss. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent minor issues from escalating into major dental emergencies.
