Should Crowns Hurt After Installation? 7 Reasons Why It May Be Possible

A dental crown is a custom-made restoration that encases the visible portion of a natural tooth. These caps restore your tooth’s original size, shape, functionality, and appearance when the damage exceeds what a conventional filling can address. While dental crowns are an excellent solution for protecting and strengthening a compromised tooth structure, it’s not uncommon to experience some pain after the procedure.

If you’re wondering, “why does my crown hurt?” or “why does my crown hurt 6 months later?”, there are several potential reasons, which we’ll run through in this post.

Why Your New Crown Hurts – The Initial Healing Phase

A new crown hurts almost immediately after a procedure because the work involved to prep the tooth for the crown disrupts the area, causing your body to respond with inflammation. You may also experience some sensitivity, and swelling around the newly crowned tooth; but the good news is this is temporary and should subside within 1-2 weeks as the tooth begins to calm down.

What If The Pain Doesn’t Subside?

During this initial healing phase, you’ll be provided with medication to help manage the pain. However, if the new crown hurts beyond 1-2 weeks, this is a sign that there’s something else going on and the crown should be evaluated by your dentist.

3 Possible Reasons To Answer “Why Does My Crown Hurt?” After Initial Placement

If after the initial healing phase your crown hurts and you’re wondering why, there are a few possible reasons.

1. It’s An Improper Fit. A potential answer for “why does my crown hurt?” is that there’s improper bite alignment, which can happen if the crown is not seated correctly or if the bite is not adjusted properly. When the crown is slightly higher than it should be, it can bring down excessive pressure onto the tooth, resulting in pain and sensitivity.

2. You Grind Your Teeth. If you grind your teeth, this can cause a newly crowned tooth to hurt because it puts excessive force and pressure on the crown. Over time, this grinding – if not addressed with a nightguard or occlusal splint – can make your crown hurt months down the line as cracks can form, inflammation can build, and the crown may even shift.

3. There’s Pre-existing Tooth Decay or Damage. If the tooth’s nerve is inflamed or irritated from the initial damage (cracks, fractures, or extensive decay), before the crown procedure is initiated, then you may experience continued discomfort or sensitivity after crown placement.

Why Does My Crown Hurt 6 Months Later?

4. The Crown Is Loose or Cracked. A common answer to “why does my crown hurt 6 months later,” is that it’s become cracked, causing pain and sensitivity, especially when exposed to extreme temperatures or chewing. Or the crown has become loose, allowing bacteria to enter and inflammation to begin (or worse, an infection to start).

5. There’s Pupal Inflammation Or Infection. If you experience severe, throbbing pain with sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures and swelling in the gums around the tooth, you may have irreversible pulpitis. When the nerve tissue (pulp) inside the tooth becomes inflamed or infected due to taking on too much trauma, the nerve may “give up” and begin to die. To prevent the loss of the tooth, root canal therapy is done.

6. Gum Recession. Another reason why your crown hurts 6 months later is if you have gum recession exposing the tooth’s root. This can be caused by aggressive brushing, periodontal disease, or natural aging and if left untreated can lead to tooth sensitivity, decay and tooth loss.

7. Failed Or Unsuccessful Root Canal Treatment. If you had a root canal done on the tooth before getting a crown, and that root canal treatment was unsuccessful, it can lead to persistent pain, swelling or an infection under the crown, months later.

While some short-term discomfort is normal after crown placement, persistent or worsening pain is a cause for concern at Tampa Palms Dentistry. Our experienced dental team understands that an aching, sensitive crowned tooth can seriously impact your quality of life, and so we encourage you to come to see us if the pain doesn’t subside within that 1-2 week window.

Contact us at (813) 333-1922 or email us info@tampaplamsdentistry to get your crown evaluated and treated with the personalized care it needs.