Redness and tenderness around the crown. Swollen or sore gums surrounding the crown. A constant sensation of warmth on one side of your mouth. Yellow, clear or greenish discharge near the crown.
Tooth sensitivity to temperatures (hot or cold) or sugary foods and drinks. Pain or tenderness in the areas surrounding the crown. Increasing redness at the area of crown placement. A discharge of yellow, green, or clear fluid or pus that appears to be draining or leaking out around or under the crown.
Unfortunately, as you are trapped in an unusual predicament, the sole option available to you is to have the decay under the crown treated by a dentist by getting the restoration removed, the infection treated, and the dental crown replaced over your tooth to protect it.
A tooth abscess won't go away without treatment. If the abscess ruptures, the pain may improve a lot, making you think that the problem has gone away — but you still need to get dental treatment. If the abscess doesn't drain, the infection may spread to your jaw and to other areas of your head and neck.
As soon as you notice pain, swelling, or inflammation surrounding a crowned tooth, it's time to see a dentist. For example, if you notice increased pain or sensitivity when chewing, your crown could be too high on the tooth, damaged, old, or in need of replacement.
A faulty crown is usually hard to miss, often causing mild to severe tooth pain, inflammation, and tooth decay. Over time, this can lead to infections and further symptoms. If you have a faulty crown, you may notice: Dental overhangs that are difficult to clean.
The crown might look like a hat sitting on a hat rack, rather than a natural, secure fit. The crown is too tight between teeth, or doesn't make correct contact with surrounding teeth, causing food impaction and decay issues.
A persistently high fever, dizziness, lightheadedness, a rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, confusion, and digestive problems are potential signs of sepsis and should be treated as a medical emergency.
A tooth infection or abscess will not go away on its own. If left untreated, it can spread to your body, causing flu-like symptoms.
Treatment for an Infection
Removing the existing crown. Addressing the decay by filling or extracting the remainder of the tooth. Creating a new crown to accommodate the filling and what remains of the tooth. Recommending an implant or other artificial tooth be added in place.
Oral bacteria can make their way underneath a crown if a person does not practice good oral hygiene. Similar to regular tooth decay, when bacteria enter the underneath of a crown, they convert sugars to acids that eat away the crown's enamel, resulting in a tooth that can rot away.
If you are experiencing pain under a crown, it is always best advised to contact your dentist as soon as possible. The cause of the pain may be from something as simple as an adjustment that needs to be made, or it could be a sign of a more severe problem like a fracture or an infection.
When you are suffering from a tooth infection, you may want an easy solution, such as a course of antibiotics. However, antibiotics won't cure your tooth infection.
Infection or decay under the crown
While a crown contains artificial materials that can't get infected, the underlying tooth is still susceptible to infections. It can cause increased pain or sensitivity, especially when biting. You can also experience swelling or an abscess near the painful tooth.
Crown removal is not a painful procedure, and it doesn't take long for your dentist to remove it. Your dentist will not even use an anesthetic to remove and add in the permanent crown.
While it takes a long time for a tooth infection to become fatal, it's possible for a tooth infection to develop into sepsis if left untreated. Typically, this process takes a few months. And even though it may feel like your pain subsides when the abscess bursts, don't be fooled.
Yes, applying a cotton ball soaked in regular Listerine on an infected tooth will relieve tooth pain. Listerine is about 27% alcohol, and alcohol numbs nerve endings.
However, what patients may not know is that tooth decay under a dental crown is still possible. Like natural teeth, not maintaining proper oral hygiene and allowing bacteria and plaque to accumulate is why tooth decay under a dental crown is an issue.
Using a mouthwash. Adding a water flosser to your regimen – they're especially effective around crowns and bridges. Changing your toothbrush every 3 months. Having regular dental exams to prevent or remove plaque and tartar accumulation below the gumline.
What causes infection after a root canal? A tooth may become re-infected for a number of different reasons. One possibility is that the permanent crown meant to add further protection against decay may have been delayed, giving bacteria a chance to re-infect the tooth.
The dentist near you will use a soft adhesive to make it easy to remove the crowns. Permanently crowns are, however, challenging to remove. The process may be more complicated than the first procedure.
Crowns made of porcelain or fused material survive for five to fifteen years. Metal crowns have a 20+ year lifespan. Crowns made of gold and zirconia are durable for life. Additionally, experts think that front-tooth crowns last longer than back-tooth crowns.
You might have temporary discomfort after a procedure to place your crown. This pain shouldn't last longer than 2 weeks or so. Talk to a dentist if you're experiencing a lot of pain following a crown procedure, or if you have pain that doesn't go away after 2 weeks.