What Causes Tooth Sensitivity after Crown Placement

A crown is a prosthetic cap that is used to cover a tooth so as to restore it to its normal size, strengthen it, and improve its appearance. Crowns are often essential when a tooth is chipped, broken, or too damaged by decay to hold fillings. They can also be used to cover discolored or poorly shaped teeth. It is possible for you to experience tooth sensitivity when consuming hot or cold foods after placement of a crown. If you have been experiencing tooth sensitivity, read on to find out its causes and how you can remedy it.

Causes of crown sensitivity

Several factors can contribute to sensitivity after crown placement or even during the procedure. Here are some of the top ones:

An incorrect bite

If the crown is a little higher than the standard alignment of your teeth, it can lead to tenderness whenever you chew. After some time, the soreness will slowly turn into sensitivity towards hot, cold, and sweet foods and beverages. If you experience tenderness, your dentist should fix it by re-sizing the crown.

Crown material

Crowns can be made from porcelain, ceramic, plastic, and metals such as gold and silver. Metal crowns are durable and sturdy, but the material is an excellent conductor of heat and cold. It can easily transfer heat and cold to the tooth underneath and cause tooth sensitivity. Some people are even reactive and sensitive to metallic materials. Plastic is a poor conductor, but it tends to wear and chip fast and cause tooth or gum sensitivity. Porcelain is one of the best materials for use in dental crowns.

Remaining tooth

If you suffered tooth decay and had fillings, their position on the natural tooth can contribute to tooth sensitivity. If the fillings are too close to the nerve due to extensive decay, you may experience sensitivity to hot and cold foods.

How to handle crown sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity that is experienced a few days after crown placement is bound to go away on its own after some time. If it doesn't, the problem can be diagnosed and fixed through further prosthetic or orthodontic procedures. You should visit your dentist if you experience the following:

• A frequent sensitivity that lasts more than a few days to weeks.
• Sensitivity and tenderness when biting down on food.
• Your gums around the crown become sore and tender.
• You experience increased sensitivity to cold.
• The tooth begins to throb.

Dental crowns can help strengthen and improve the appearance of your teeth. If you feel that the kind of sensitivity you are experiencing after crown placement is unusual, visit your dentist immediately for further treatment.