Expert: Tony Appleton BDS DPDS - 2/28/2009

Question
Hi: Many years ago I had a lot of dental work done and this included a few crowns. To be exact all the way across the front. Now, it feels as though I have an exposed nerve under where the left front big tooth is. I can't understand how it can feel this way because the remainder of the tooth that the crown is on is covered by the crown. After all these years and I'm talking over 20 and now a problem!!!??? I'm terrified to let anyone look at this (my dentist is dead) for fear they will screw it up. I can't even understand how any dentist would even go about getting these crowns off. They are hooked together I believe. My crowns look nice and being they are in the front you can surely understand my concern. Do you have any ideas? Thank-you very much.

Answer
Hi Linda

It sounds like one of these crowns is failing, and you have probably developed a cavity underneath it.  It is imperative that you get it looked at as soon as possible, as this can progress rapidly making treating it far more difficult.

You don't need to worry about how the dentist will remove the crown - this is a common problem and one that we are very used to dealing with.

Regards

Tony Appleton