I have been in pain for 2 months after having a crown put on a molar. I wake up every day with a sore jaw, swollen cheek, teeth feeling loose, headache/neckache and take loads of medication to control it. I've been to 2 dentists, chiropractors, and a doctor and they haven't been able to pinpoint why having this crown put on my tooth would cause this. They've all taken x-rays and can't find anything wrong with the tooth/roots. I think the bite is off too but it's been adjusted several times so not sure what's up with that.

It's very frustrating and frightening not to know why you are messed up after seeing so many doctors and spending so much money!

I have an endontrist who is willing to do a root canal on me regardless... does anyone know why I am experiencing this pain?

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Originally Posted by Dawniesoo

I have been in pain for 2 months after having a crown put on a molar. I wake up every day with a sore jaw, swollen cheek, teeth feeling loose, headache/neckache and take loads of medication to control it. I've been to 2 dentists, chiropractors, and a doctor and they haven't been able to pinpoint why having this crown put on my tooth would cause this. they've all taken x-rays and can't find anything wrong with the tooth/roots. I think the bite is off too but it's been adjusted several times so not sure what's up with that.

It's very frustrating and frightening not to know why you are messed up after seeing so many doctors and spending so much money!

I have an endontrist who is willing to do a root canal on me regardless...does anyone know why I am experiencing this pain?

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I have no idea but I've posted this before - I had the very same problem, was on antiobiotics "in case" there was an infection, had a root canal although the x-ray showed no problems, continued to have the problem, an Endodontist did what amounted to a second root canal and I continue to wake up some mornings in pain. It's been 2 YEARS this month and I go every 3 months and no one can determine why I'm getting the pain other than it "might" be a problem with a nerve which, by the way, I am NOT having severed to see if that solves the problem.

It's been an expensive, painful, frustrating experience.

Wow... that's very scary to hear! I have been hoping for an end to this nightmare but it goes on and on. It's getting to the point where I think I'll just have to live with it as no one can figure it out. It does make me question whether I will ever go back to see a dentist again. I hope your problem goes away soon... did your problem start after dental treatment?

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Originally Posted by Dawniesoo

wow...that's very scary to hear! I have been hoping for an end to this nightmare but it goes on and on. It's getting to the point where I think I'll just have to live with it as no one can figure it out. it does make me question whether or not I will ever go back to see a dentist again. I hope your problem goes away soon...did your problem start after dental treatment?

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Mine is truly bizarre and some of it due to my own stupidity - I was eating one of those really thick pretzels and cracked off a corner of a tooth. I had absolutely no pain but a very rough side to my tooth. I went to the Dentist, she x-rayed and filled the tooth, I paid for those services and THEN she said that she couldn't guarantee the filling would hold, blah, blah, blah, and the only guarantee that there would be no future problems would be a root canal. I had the tooth filled on Monday and she started the roof canal that Friday. Why didn't she just do the root canal right away? Why didn't I wait and see if there was a problem? As I said - my own stupidity.

I had an infected tooth and a root canal some years ago and I never, ever wanted to go through that pain again and I guess that's why I agreed.

Anyway - she did the root canal, I walked out of there swollen and in pain, on antibiotics - and then it just got worse. I am by no means in constant or predictable pain but on occasion is it painful (thus the frequent check ups) and it bothers me most when I first wake up. Cold and heat don't bother it, don't change anything and that takes us back to inflammation or damage to/of the nerve or nerves.

Have they ruled out a cracked root?

I don't believe they mentioned this... I think the doc said the tooth could have a hairline crack they can't see. I feel like everyone thinks I'm crazy when I get tested as the x-rays don't show anything and the heat/cold tapping doesn't affect me. I do feel like my tooth is sore now after the testing though.

It sounds to me like the root may be cracked, meaning tooth needs to be removed. Sorry.

TOOTH REMOVED? Yikes, I hope not! Why wouldn't a root canal fix this?

How would they diagnose this? I find that if I make any suggestions to Doctors they get very defensive - so how would I even suggest this without ticking the dentist off?

Root canals don't fix cracked or broken teeth, sorry. The crack is what is the real problem. I had a cracked tooth and the thing acted just like you and Judy are describing. I had the thing taken out and haven't been bothered since. Fortunately it was a molar so it is not too noticeable. Flossie was 100% correct on the removal part. I ask you this, would you rather have it out or would you rather keep dealing with the pain day in and day out and have potentially MORE pain down the road - or just have it out and be done with it? That's what my dentist asked me and I said to take the broken thing out - do it now. He did and when it came out I saw the crack with my own eyes that was causing me to feel like someone slugged me every night in my sleep or a train ran over me when I wasn't looking.

Basically, it's your call on this one.

I guess I would be okay with this. Why wouldn't a dentist mention this could be the problem? I've been to 2 dentists and a root canal specialist and they can't figure it out-I think they think I'm crazy or a hypocondriac! Should I look for another dentist?

Often times a cracked root cannot be seen until the tooth is removed. It's almost impossible to see on an x-ray.

A cracked TOOTH is a different story and can often be fixed by doing a root canal and placing a crown.

Once a crack extends into the root there is nothing to do but remove the tooth. You can discuss having it replaced with an implant or bridge.

You might want to see another dentist if you feel that yours isn't listening to your complaint. I know many dentists feel they are the "expert" and hate being wrong especially if a patient's self diagnosis is correct :)

One more thing: ever since I had this crown installed my bite has been off. When my teeth come together it almost feels like the lower teeth are hitting the uppers hard and food gets stuck into the top teeth on the surface. Also, when chewing on that side of my mouth there is a squishy noise which makes me quesay. They have adjusted the bite several times but it's still off. Insn't that weird??

Have you made an appointment to see another dentist?

I have been to 2 dentists and 1 endodontrist - I'm almost afraid to go to another dentist! Plus, I have run out of insurance until 2009 but really, my health is more important than money, right? I am starting to panic thinking that I will never get better.

Perhaps you are grinding your teeth while you sleep? Do you sleep on the side where the jaw is sore? You could ask your dentist to make you a night guard to see if that settles everything down. It may take a few nights of wearing it to find it works.
You could also try massage therapy or see a physiotherapist.

The only way a crown can give you headaches/neck pain is if it is too high... ask him to grind it down so that it doesnlt touch AT ALL. The tooth will eventually erupt into contact

I've had it adjusted several times now and I think perhaps they took too much off?? The bite does not come together well... it's almost like the teeth slip when they meet and if I'm not careful I bite my tongue. When I chew meat it sounds awful, squishy sound.