I got 3 CEREC crowns on top left teeth. They are all side by side and it hurts when I chew. I can’t tell which tooth it is that is really hurting because I think the pain is referring. It hurts most when I chew and all of the teeth are sensitive to my putting pressure on them with my finger. I already went back to the dentist twice for this and he said that my teeth under the crowns needed to be shaved down a little more. My dentist also said that the way I chew is probably affecting the crowns and causing the pain. The problem with that theory is that I didn’t have this kind of pain when chewing before I got the crowns. Now I still have discomfort in my teeth even after the supposed adjustments that my dentist is making. I don’t think I should have to live the rest of my life trying to watch what I eat or how I chew because my dentist can’t get these CEREC crowns right. If this keeps going, I am wondering if I will have permanent nerve damage. What are my options? Do I need to switch from CEREC crowns? Janine
Janine – The pain when you chew probably isn’t related to CEREC crowns. This problem can occur with any crown that is poorly fitted. When they are completed by a trained and experienced dentist, CEREC crowns are usually easier to fit, because digital technology is used to ensure precise placement.
Two likely reasons for the discomfort in your CEREC crowns are a bite that is too high or an infection. If your bite is too high, it will cause the affected tooth to hit the opposite tooth too hard when you chew or bite down. This creates sensitivity. If a tooth is infected, inflammation will result. When you bite on it, pain will increase, and you will have a constant toothache.
Since you’ve returned to the dentist and had your teeth tapered twice, your crown is probably not too high. The intensity of your pain and the length of time you’ve been experiencing it seem to indicate that a tooth is infected. Your dentist needs to examine and x-ray all of your newly crowned teeth to determine if there is an infection.
If the infection can’t be detected from an x-ray, a root canal specialist will be able to detect it. If there is an infection, your CEREC crown will be removed, and a root canal treatment will be required. Your crown can be bonded back to your natural tooth after it is clear of the infection.
If you are hesitant about your dentist’s approach to resolving the issue, you can always get a second opinion.
This post is sponsored by San Jose dentists Dr. Ralph Stanley, Dr. Magdalena Azzarelli, and Dr. Rogé Jacob.
