Expert: Benjamin Schwartz, DDS FAGD - 11/6/2008

Question
Hi there. I am having a pain issue with a back molar that I recently had a permanent crown placed on without a root canal. Initially the crown was placed because the tooth had a crack and an old filling. Before the crown I had no pain at all from the tooth. In fact, I went a long time before I decided to have a crown placed. With the temporary I did not have any pain. When I went to have the final crown placed the dentist pulled out the amalgam core from the tooth by accident, he was trying to get a strong temporary cement off of my tooth, I had issues with keeping the temp. on. There was alot more drilling. After he corrected that problem, they placed the final crown, it was hard to tell if it was to high because I was numb. When I got home, I could tell there was an issue and went back to have the bite adjusted. It has been a week and it is painful to chew on the tooth, drink room temp. water, very hot and cold sensitive, and after I eat it throbs on that side of my face.

Answer
Hi Rachael,

Sorry to hear about this..

It seems that the nerve inside the tooth was irritated. Sometimes, this pain goes away in a few days. Other times, the only way out is a root canal.

Has it been two weeks already since the crown was placed?
If not, I would wait the full two weeks to see if the sensitivity resolves.
If it has been two weeks, then I would return for a follow up. You may need a root canal, or, maybe you just need the bite adjusted.

Please let me know how it goes..!