[purrle]

My old crown had been re-cemented several times in the last 1 1/2 yrs each time a splinter of old tooth crumbled away. I had a new crown done 11 days ago and I've been taking a cocktail (1 tylenol plus 1 ibuprofen) at least twice daily to manage the pain.
I worry that I am clenching my teeth at night and that may be irritating it.
I know that sometimes it takes a while for a tooth to settle down but am worried about taking these pain medications routinely as I have mitral valve regurgitation.
What should I do?
Thanks

[danielnoahsmommy]

That's a very long time. I would contact my dentist as soon as possible. It could not hurt to get a second look. I had a similar experience. It turned out a little piece of cement was under the gum line. A simple fix.

[jillianleab]

I agree, call your dentist and get in as soon as you can. You don't want to run the risk of getting an infection if, as danielnoahsmommy said, you have a piece of cement under the gum. If your dentist can't see you right away and you are worried about clenching, try a nightguard, you can pick one up at any drugstore.

[J_9]

I agree with everyone so far. I will ask if you took an antibiotic prior to the procedure due to the mitral valve. Also, do not worry about the tylenol and the ibuprofen (motrin) as they are not blood thinners as aspirin is.

Please make an appointment with another dentist for a second opinion if you have not done so already.

[purrle]

My old crown had been re-cemented several times in the last 1 1/2 yrs each time a splinter of old tooth crumbled away. I had a new crown done 11 days ago and I've been taking a cocktail (1 tylenol plus 1 ibuprofen) at least twice daily to manage the pain.
I worry that I am clenching my teeth at night and that may be irritating it.
I know that sometimes it takes a while for a tooth to settle down but am worried about taking these pain medications routinely as I have mitral valve regurgitation.
What should I do?
Thanks

Hi again, I went back to the dentist and he shaved some off the new crown changing my bite. Now the newly crowned tooth doesn't touch the tooth above when I bite... that was 4 days ago and I thought the pain has diminished much... its just pretty sensitive to cold. Just now I was awakened by much pain in my jaw (I have never felt pain when pushing or biting down on the teeth in that area but rather always in the jaw area). The pain had me feeling jittery inside. I took a tylenol & an ibuprofen and the pain quickly subsided in about 10-15 minutes. thank goodness.
Does this sound like an abscess? A friend of mine was told by a doctor that a root canal is a bad thing because it leaves the dead tooth and that is hard on a body.
Thanks

[flossie]

Usually when a tooth is sensitive to cold, it means the tooth is still alive (does not need a root canal). If the tooth is sensitive to hot or pressure it can mean the tooth is dying. It's not uncommon for crowned teeth to die. The nerve of the tooth should have been checked with an x-ray before the crown was redone.
Teeth don't like having their nerves irritated. It could take up to 2 weeks for the sensitivity to cold to subside after having your bite adjusted.
Do you wear a night guard to protect your teeth from clenching and grinding when you sleep? This could also solve your sensitivity problem.

[purrle]

Thanks, Flossie! You give me hope!
The tooth was xrayed prior to being prepped for the crown. I was given an injection to numb the area but at the very end of the procedure I felt the nerve being jolted like an electric shock. I have had no swelling or fever and the teeth don't hurt when I bite on them. Just bothered by the sudden arrivals of the painful jaw.
Since the high spot on the crown is now gone 5 days, I'm hoping it is just a sensitive nerve that will quiet down.
I looked at some night guards at the store but they on the box that they don't "cushion" so they wouldn't be much help with clenching.

[flossie]

The ideal night guard would be one made by your dentist. They should not be cushioning. Most professional mouth guards are made of hard acrylic and are made to not only protect your teeth but your jaw joints as well.
If you wake up in the morning with headaches in the temple area, have tender jaw joints, frequent ear aches, or a tooth that is hypersentive once it awhile you are most definitely clenching or grinding. Besides having the new crown done and discomfort following, have stress levels been high??