Will My Final Dental Crown Fall Off Like the Temporary One?

I am nervous about getting my permanent dental crown because the temporary one will not stay on. I got the crown in May, and it came off three times. Each time, my dentist bonded it back on. Should I ask my dentist to retake impressions of the tooth? – Thank you. Anvit from Silver Springs, MD

Anvit,

Thank you for your question. Your concerns are valid; we recommend waiting before you get a final crown.

Is It Normal for Temporary Crowns to Fall Off?

Although a temporary crown may fall off, it is unusual to fall off three times within two months. Your dentist may have taken wrong impressions of your tooth or over-prepared it so the crown will not stay on.

Over-preparing a tooth for a crown

If a dentist aggressively prepares your tooth, it will not leave enough tooth structure for securing your crown. Strong dental cement will not keep the crown on because it may be so much larger than the tooth beneath it that the crown is not secure.

Inaccurate tooth impressions

It is not unusual for a dentist to take incorrect tooth impressions. Sometimes fluid oozes around the impression and contaminates it. A dentist must examine the impression to look for mistakes and retake the impression as needed.

Can You Switch Dentists for a New Crown?

Your temporary crown is the model that the dental lab will use for your final crown. If your temporary crown does not fit well, neither will your final crown. At this point, you can ask your dentist for a refund and a copy of your dental records. Look for an experienced cosmetic dentist to examine your tooth and take accurate impressions for a crown that looks natural and fits precisely.

 

Dr. Thomas J. Goebel, a Moline, Illinois, cosmetic dentist, sponsors this post.

What is this weird sensation I feel with my new dental crown?

I have a new crown but feel a strange sensation in it. After I received the crown in mid-July, I returned to my dentist about the problem. My dentist said he could re-cement the crown or make a new one. I thought that it was better to choose a new crown. The new crown was ready in early August, but my bite still did not feel right. The tooth is not painful, but it feels strange. Am I going to need another new crown? I am beginning to wonder if this is an issue with the crown or if the crown preparation somehow damaged my tooth. Thanks for your help and advice. Darren from Idaho

Darren,

When a dentist places your crown correctly, it should feel like a healthy natural tooth. You not notice that you have a crown. Sometimes, even bite adjustments are not enough to resolve the discomfort because the problem lies beneath the crown.

Uncomfortable New Dental Crown

If discomfort in your crown lingers, get a second opinion, and ask for an x-ray. Sometimes, decay beneath a crown can cause lingering discomfort. If the problem tooth previously had root canal treatment, you would not feel pain or have a toothache. Your symptoms might be vague and difficult to describe.

What Causes Tooth Decay Beneath Crowns?

Tooth decay beneath a crown can occur in these instances:

• Bacteria or plaque gets trapped beneath the crown
• Root canal failure
• Lingering decay or infection that a dentist covers with a crown

Depending on the condition of your tooth and how much tooth structure is left, the second opinion dentist may recommend

• Adjusting the crown
• Remaking the crown
• Extraction, replacing the tooth with a dental implant, a new implant crown

After retreatment, your tooth and bite should be comfortable.

 

Thomas J. Goebel, DDS, of Moline, IL, sponsors this post.

My new crown has been hurting for months

In January, my dentist put a crown over a top left molar that was cracked, sensitive, and had an old silver filling in it. During the procedure, my dentist had trouble getting the tooth numb, so drilling it was quite painful. When the dentist checked my bite, I told her that it hurt to chew on that side. Later during the week, I told the dentist that it was also painful to brush the tooth and floss around it. She never mentioned that I might need root canal treatment.

The dental office told me that the tooth was irritated and would settle down. I return to the office, and my dentist adjusted the crown. She said that if it did not feel better, she would readjust. I delayed the appointment due to the pandemic, but my tooth became quite painful in a few weeks. My dentist adjusted the crown again, and although it was somewhat better, it was still uncomfortable.

Last week when I saw the dentist, she said the tooth has a periapical abscess, and I need an extraction. My dentist has no explanation of why she didn’t see that the tooth was declining during my follow-up visits. How can I request a refund for the same-day crown? And is the same-day crown process the reason I had so many problems? – Thank you. Quinn from Indiana

Quinn,

Thank you for your inquiry.

Based on your description, it sounds like your dentist was somewhat negligent for several reasons:

• Cracked tooth – Your molar tooth was already cracked and at risk of needing root canal treatment. Your dentist should have mentioned the possibility of needing root canal treatment.
• Sensitivity – Some sensitivity after crown placement is common, but the pain you experienced was abnormal.
• Your bite – When your dentist checked your bite, she should have worked to get it right. A crown should blend with your bite so well that you cannot tell the difference between it and your natural teeth.

Requesting a Refund for a Dental Crown

You can request a refund for your crown for several reasons:

• Your dentist did not explain that you might need root canal treatment
• Your dentist placed the crown on a sensitive tooth without addressing the sensitivity
• The same-day crown does not function well and did not function properly when your dentist first checked your bite
• Your dentist did not attempt to treat the tooth despite your complaints further

Several ways to motivate your dentist to refund you include:

• Report the issue to your dental insurance company, if applicable
• File a complaint with the state dental board
• Leave negative online reviews

Consider Root Canal Treatment from a Specialist

Root canal treatment on a tooth with a periapical abscess is worth a try. It may save your tooth—especially if you allow an endodontist, a root canal specialist, to treat it. If there is a chance of saving your tooth, why not consider it? Otherwise, after an extraction, you will need a dental implant or bridge to replace the missing tooth.

Without an implant or a bridge to replace your extracted tooth, you can experience some or all these issues:

• Your adjacent teeth and the tooth opposing the missing one will drift into the space
• You will begin to experience TMJ issues
• Tooth movement can create a need for orthodontic treatment

Get a Second Opinion

We recommend that you get a second opinion from an experienced dentist. A conscientious dentist wants to preserve your teeth and your oral health. Request an examination, discuss your treatment options, and weigh the pros and cons of tooth extraction.

Timothy J. Goebel, DDS, a Moline, IL dentist, sponsors this post.