I have a crowned molar that hurts. I can't eat on it, the gum below it is sore, but nothing shows up on the

Question

x-ray. Obviously the crown area doesn't show up on film and there is nothing on the x-ray that shows any endodontic problems. I have had a deep scaling of gum area and that did not relieve the pain either. So, could there be decay that crept in under the crown that would be sufficient to cause the pain, etc. I don't want to have to crack a crown open for naught. Do any of you, working in the dental field, have any case histories of a decayed painful crown being the source of the problem even when nothing shows on film. Oh, one other thing the root is furnacated? That shows on the x-ray-I think that means that the area where the two roots of the molar come together is somewhat exposed due to bone loss? So what do you think could be going on?

Answer 1

Ah ha! You put one more piece of info in this narrative than you did in your e-mail to me.

First of all, the crown will block pretty much anything from showing on the x-ray, so that might not be much help. You already know that, but I'm putting it in for the benefit of some readers.

Here's the "light bulb" moment. You MAY have the fabled endo-perio lesion. This would normally show (eventually) on an x-ray, but you might be oneof the "lucky" ones who has an accessory canal going right from the floor of the pulp chamber to the furcation area. If this was the case, it is not likely that an abscess would show on the x-ray, because the bone is already gone from that area between your roots. Ask your dentist if he thinks this is possible, which is a polite way of saying, "Check it out." If you were in my chair, I'd try to get the tip of a small explorer into the furcation, rub it against the bottom of the root ("up in the crotch between the roots") and see how high you jumped.

Just a thought...

Answer 2

1st- is this a new crowned molar? If it is then it can be sensitive for a while afterwards, but should be getting better and better each day soon. 2nd- yes it is possible to have decay under a crown if the crown has a) been on a long time and had a micro leak and caused decay b) (very unlikely) the tooth could have had decay on it when they put the crown on which would be very painful and cause the decay to go crazy. Most dentist have several different procedures that they use to make sure all the decay is gone before putting a crown on, unless the dentist is just weird he would of used one of these methods, therefore unlikely this is the problem. Also, one thing I have learned while being in the dental field is that when you go messin with a tooth sometimes, it lights that baby up and you have to get a root canal to relieve the pain, there is no reason other then the initial aggravation that causes this to happen. It can even happen when you get a large filling, the tooth is just never the same. So, if it is new just give it some time, otherwise asked to be evaluated at an endodontist office??? Good Luck!!

Answer 3

You need a root canal. The X-ray will only show the problem after about 2/3Rd's of bone has been eaten away by the infection. This is clearly a problem. Root canals can be done without removing the crown. Go to another dentist or go to an Endodontist [specialty is root canals] Do everything to save the tooth don't get it pulled.

Answer 4

Did you have root-canal treatment before doing the crown? The tooth must be dead before the dentist can cap it. If not, the nerves in your tooth will root and cause havoc. I suspect the dentist who did the crown for you didn't remove all the nerves in your molar before making the crown. Go see another reputable dentist immediately before your gum gets badly affected. If it's so bad, you may need to extract the entire tooth, which is a waste of your crown.

Answer 5

Definately go to the dentist. You most likely have an infection and need anti-biotics and probably a cavity filled. This is not a selfish thing at all, Ask you parents to make you an appointment. You should be going to the dentist twice a years for cleanings anyway. For now try brushing your teeth then using warm salt water. Swish it around your mouth a few times and spit out. Do this a couple times and should considerably help with pain then tell your parents to call the dentist! Best of luck.

Answer 6

I had pain under a crown and nothing showed up on x ray and a weak later she did a new set of xrays and it was so small it was missed the first time and I had started to develop an abscess.

Answer 7

i would explain it to the dentist and it he is at least 1/2 way decent he will look and see why it hurts

Answer 8

clover seeds work well or warm them up, use like a mouth wash, u probally have poked it with a chip,it will heal soon.try peroxid that helps to use like a mouth wash also.

Answer 9

sounds like you have an infection

Answer 10

get it pulled, or some Orajel.