Why do new crowns make my teeth sensitive and burn my gums?

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The whole process of getting crowns from my dentist has been a nightmare. They are burning my gums now, and my teeth are sensitive. I’m blaming myself a bit because the temporary crowns were a mess, too. They felt like they were leaking, and my teeth hurt beneath them. I told my dentist that I was worried about infection, so he prescribed an antibiotic. He did not check my teeth or anything–just gave me a prescription. When I got my six new crowns, my dentist filed and re-filed my teeth because my bite was off. I felt fluid rushing beneath the crowns whenever I drank anything, so my dentist sent the crowns back, and I wore temporaries. The temporaries felt better than the crowns and the first set of temporaries. Now I’ve been wearing my new crowns for two weeks, and my teeth are sensitive, and my gums are burning. Fortunately, my dentist used temporary cement. But something is not right with the crowns. But as I said, this has been a nightmare from day one. What should I do to prevent this situation from getting worse? I had a little anxiety before this process began. But I have hyperventilated three times at the dental office recently. Can I switch dentists in the middle of treatment, or is it too late? – Marquita from GA

Marquita,

Dr. Brooksher would need to examine your teeth, gums, and new crowns for an accurate diagnosis. But we can be helpful. Please do not allow your dentist to bond your crowns to your teeth permanently.

New Dental Crowns and Burning Gums

If your gums are burning and teeth are sensitive after new dental crowns, ask your dentist for the exact composition of the crowns. When a lab makes crowns, they send a dental alloy certificate listing all materials in the crown. And if your crowns are porcelain-fused-to-metal, you might have a metal allergy or sensitivity. It would explain why your gums are burning, and your teeth are sensitive.

Challenges of Placing Dental Crowns on Front Teeth

Face of a woman relaxed during dental treatment for information on sedation dentistry from Dr. Brooksher of Baton Rouge

Sedation will relieve your anxiety while a cosmetic dentist restores your teeth

When a dentist places a crown on your front teeth, they must ensure your bite is adjusted. But your dentist placed six crowns, which increases the challenge of bite adjustment. A dentist with advanced training in occlusion and bite can adjust your bite accurately without extensively filing your teeth down to stumps.

And when you suspected that you might have a tooth infection, your dentist prescribed antibiotics instead of identifying the cause of your discomfort.

Can You Switch Dentists in the Middle of Treatment?

Yes, you can switch dentists in the middle of getting new crowns. First, look for a dentist with advanced cosmetic dentistry training—preferably accredited—to examine your teeth. The dentist can explain sedation options to prevent anxiety from overwhelming you. Then, the dentist will determine if your crowns have a metal foundation or if something else is causing tooth sensitivity and burning gums. Your new crowns should feel so comfortable that you don’t notice them at all.

Steven Brooksher, DDS of Baton Rouge, sponsors this post. Read why so many of his patients think he is among the best dentists in Baton Rouge.

I want this stainless-steel post out of my tooth

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I knew my dentist was going to insert a post into my root canal tooth (lower molar), but I didn’t think to ask what the post was made of. I found out today that the post is stainless steel. I am wearing a temporary crown and will get the final crown in about two weeks. My dentist explained that the stainless-steel post will be encased, but can it be removed and replaced with a non-metal post? If there is no other way to save the tooth, I would rather have an extraction. I’m really concerned about getting this post out of my mouth. I think I am having a reaction to it, and it is making my ears ring. – Thank you. Alex from S. Carolina

Alex,

Thank you for submitting your question to our office.

Although a dentist can remove a stainless-steel post from your tooth, there are risks.

Purpose of a post in a tooth

A dentist might insert a post in a root canal to strengthen the tooth or support a crown. The post can be useful in these situations:

  • Front teeth – A post strengthens the tooth against horizontal fracture.
  • Molar and other teeth – The post can serve as the foundation for building up the tooth and retaining the crown.

History of tooth posts

In the 1970s and earlier, prefabricated dental posts were made of stainless steel. In the 1980s, studies confirmed that metal ions can seep out of the tooth and into the bloodstream—even though the post is cemented inside the tooth. The nickel in stainless steel often causes a reaction in people with metal allergies or sensitivities.

Alternative materials for dental posts

Alternative materials for dental posts include titanium, zirconia, carbon fiber, and fiberglass. Titanium is a strong, biocompatible metal that many dental practices used. And in the 1990s, other materials, including carbon fiber and fiberglass were used to make dental posts. Now, the ceramic zirconia is an alternative for a biocompatible, flexible high-strength post.

If you have metal allergies or sensitivities, a dentist can remove your post. But it seems that your dentist is not the one to do it. The complexity of removing the post depends on how deeply your dentist embedded it and how firmly it is cemented. A skilled dentist might use an ultrasonic tip to dislodge it.

Get a second opinion

Diagram of the phases of a dental implant for a comparison to a partial denture.

Get a second opinion to preserve your tooth instead of needing an extraction and implant

You can ask your dentist to postpone your dental crown until the post is removed. If a crown is cemented over the post, it will become more difficult to remove it. Although Dr. Brooksher would need to examine your tooth, your description does not suggest that you might require an extraction and dental implant. We recommend that you schedule an appointment with a skilled dentist for a second opinion. After examining your tooth, the dentist will explain your treatment option.

Best wishes for a prompt resolution.

 

Steven Brooksher, DDS, of Baton Rouge, sponsors this post.