Can dental crowns cause tooth pain? Whether you recently got your first crown or you've had this type of dental registration in your mouth for years, take a look at the top causes of pain and what you can do to relieve the discomfort.

Why Do You Need A Crown?

A crown is a dental restoration that, as the name implies, sits on top of the tooth (like a king or queen's crown). This type of dental device caps a damaged or decayed tooth, creating a protective cover. Along with protection, crowns can help you to chew more effectively and speak clearly. Some crowns sit on top of natural teeth, while others cover dental implants.

Why Would A Crown Cause Pain?

If a crown helps to protect your tooth, how could it cause a problem? A properly placed crown on a healthy tooth or correctly anchored implant shouldn't hurt. If you have mouth pain under a crown, contact your dentist as soon as possible. The dentist will need to examine the area and treat or correct the issue.

The most common reasons for tooth pain under a dental crown include:

• Cavities. The dentist will remove the decayed area of a tooth before placing a crown. But if they miss some of the decay or new decay forms after the crown is placed, you may experience cavity-related pain.

• Injury. A new injury to your tooth from overuse, bruxism (excessive tooth grinding), an accident, or a hard/sharp piece of food can crack a crown or the tooth beneath it. This type of injury can cause sharp, sudden, or lingering discomfort.

• Nerves and infection. A pre-placement root canal eliminates the nerves in the tooth. If you didn't have a root canal, these nerves can still send pain signals to your brain. The pressure of a crown can trigger the nerves or cause a painful tooth infection.

It's also possible to have pain in the surrounding area. Periodontal disease or a receding gum line can cause discomfort at the root of the tooth. While this doesn't directly relate to the crown, it may feel like the restoration is the cause. Again, the dentist will need to evaluate the area to diagnose the culprit behind the crown pain.

What Can You Do About Crown-Related Pain?

The dentist will do more than just diagnose the cause of the pain. They will also create a treatment plan. It's possible that the dentist will need to remove the crown. This can help them to eliminate decay or correct a crack. If you haven't already had a root canal, the dentist may recommend this procedure before you replace the crown. A root canal destroys the nerves and may stop future discomfort. 

Reach out to a dentist to learn more about dental crowns.