Crown lengthening helps you reveal the natural beauty of your pearly whites, which were previously covered by those pink gum tissues. Although the idea of reshaping your gum line might sound a bit scary, it’s usually much easier than people expect. After the numbness wears off, you might feel some mild to moderate pain for the first couple of days. It’s normal to have a bit of tenderness, slight swelling, and sensitivity to hot or cold. However, if you feel throbbing pain after crown lengthening, there must be a catch! So, let’s discuss.
Normal Pain Levels After Crown Lengthening
Crown lengthening is done with local anesthesia, so you won’t feel pain during the procedure. Some people choose sedation to feel even more relaxed, but the area will be numb either way. Once the anesthesia wears off, it’s normal to feel some pain and discomfort where the work was done. Most people say the pain is mild to moderate and is usually the worst during the first one to three days.
You might also notice some swelling, soreness, and sensitivity to hot or cold foods during this time. These symptoms typically improve after about three days. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or Tylenol are often enough to manage the discomfort, though your dentist may prescribe something stronger if needed. Swelling and tenderness usually peak within the first 48 hours and then start to go down as you heal.
Causes of Throbbing Pain After Crown Lengthening
Throbbing pain after crown lengthening can happen for a few different reasons, either from the procedure itself or the condition of the tooth. Some causes include:
- Nerve Irritation or Inflammation: During crown lengthening, gum tissue and sometimes bone are removed, which can irritate nearby nerves. This may lead to a throbbing or pulsing pain, especially if the problem (like decay or a crack) is close to the tooth’s nerve.
- Deep Decay or A Cracked Tooth: If the crown lengthening was done to reach decay or a crack below the gum line, the pain could mean the nerve is affected. In this case, a root canal may be needed.
- Infection: An infection can develop if bacteria get into the tooth or gums during or after the procedure. Signs include swelling, sensitivity to hot or cold, and throbbing pain.
- Poor Crown Fit or Bite Issues: If the crown doesn’t fit well or sits too high, it can put too much pressure on the tooth when you bite or chew, causing pain.
- Nerve Damage or Trauma: The nerve inside the tooth can sometimes be damaged during the procedure or from ongoing irritation, which may cause constant throbbing pain and might need a root canal to fix.
- Normal Healing: Some throbbing pain can simply be part of the healing process. The gums might feel sore and inflamed at first, but this usually gets better with time. Still, it’s important to keep an eye on it.
When to Return to Your Dentist?
Call your dentist if you have pain after crown lengthening that is very strong, doesn’t go away, or gets worse after a few days. This constant pain could mean something is wrong, not just normal healing. Also, watch for signs of infection like fever, swelling, pus, a bad taste or smell in your mouth, or redness around the treated area. If you have heavy bleeding that doesn’t stop or if your stitches come loose, you should contact your dentist right away. Getting help early can prevent problems and make sure everything heals properly.
Final Word
To sum it up, throbbing pain after crown lengthening can be caused by irritated nerves, deep decay, infection, a poorly fitted crown, or nerve damage. While some soreness is normal as you heal, ongoing or severe throbbing pain should be checked by your dentist to see if more treatment is needed.
Eager to get rid of your gummy smile? Visit Dr. Bader Abdeen at Cypress Periodontics & Dental Implants. Call us at (281) 677-0222 for a quick appointment.