Many people worry when a tooth feels sensitive or the bite feels off in the first days after a porcelain crown. Most of it is a temporary reaction, but some signs mean you should return.
- Mild sensitivity for a few days to a couple of weeks after a porcelain crown is common and settles.
- A high bite, a tooth that sits higher than the others or pain on biting are signs to return so the bite can be adjusted.
- Spontaneous pain, night time pain, swollen gums or a loose crown should be checked early.
- In the first days eat soft food, brush gently and clean between the teeth.
After a porcelain crown, quite a few people find the tooth sensitive to hot and cold, the bite slightly high or a dull ache. This is fairly common in the first days, but it is useful to know what is normal and what is a sign to return.
Why is a tooth sensitive after a crown?
To fit a crown, the dentist has to shave a thin layer from the body of the tooth, which temporarily irritates the dentin. See whether shaping a tooth for a crown hurts. Afterwards the tooth may be mildly sensitive for a few days to a couple of weeks and then settle.
What is usually normal
- Mild sensitivity to hot or cold that eases day by day.
- Gums around the crown slightly tender, possibly a little red for the first days.
- The new tooth feeling strange and needing a few days to get used to.
When should you return?
- The bite feels high or hurts when biting, as if this tooth sits higher than the others. This may be a bite that does not fit yet, and the dentist can adjust it.
- Spontaneous, throbbing pain or pain at night.
- Sensitivity that does not fade after a few weeks and gets worse.
- Swollen gums, a lot of bleeding or a pimple like bump.
- The crown feels loose, comes off or has a gap.
These signs should be checked by the dentist, who may adjust the bite or deal with another cause. See whether porcelain crowns harm teeth and what to know before having one.
Caring for a new crown
- In the first days eat soft food, avoiding very hard, chewy, hot or cold items.
- Brush gently with a soft toothbrush, paying attention to the gum around the crown.
- Use floss or an interdental brush to clean between the teeth.
Read more about caring for porcelain crowns so they last.
When should you visit Ky Hoa Dental Clinic?
Nha Khoa Ky Hoa is at 266A - 268, 3 Thang 2 Street, Hoa Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. Please return if the bite feels high, pain lasts or anything unusual appears. You can walk in during opening hours, or call the hotline 028.3868.1097 to ask about quieter times first.
Frequently asked questions
How long does sensitivity last after a porcelain crown?
Usually mild for a few days up to a couple of weeks and then settles. If it does not fade or you get spontaneous pain, you should return.
Is it a problem if a new crown feels high when biting?
The bite may not fit yet. Please return so the dentist can check and adjust, and do not just put up with it.
Is night time pain after a crown normal?
Spontaneous, throbbing or night time pain is not a normal reaction, so please return for an early check.