I’ve had nightmares over getting this dental crown, and that wasn’t until after I got it! The procedure itself was fine. However, ever since he placed it, it’s been unbelievably painful. I’ve gone back and he adjusted it, but it didn’t help. The next day it broke. He replaced it but the pain stayed. He told me I’d adjust and now, a piece of it has broken off again. I decided to see a different dentist scheduling with an emergency dentist. I just wanted it repaired and hopefully in a way which would minimize the pain. He said he won’t repair it. It’s replacing it or nothing. I already spent a fortune on this. I don’t think I can afford anymore. Why won’t he just fix it? What would you do in my place?
Serena
Dear Serena,
I don’t think it’s a matter of the emergency dentist being unwilling to repair someone else’s work. It’s likely unrepairable. I’m not too keen on your current dentist’s skill. There are usually two reasons for pain with a dental crown:
First, is a continued infection. You didn’t mention if your first dentist re-did your x-rays. That would have revealed any further problems. Hopefully, the emergency dentist took that step and eliminated that as a potential problem.
Second, poorly placed crowns. This is likely your problem. The fact that it’s broken more than once, backs this up. Generally, your bite stress is spread out over all your teeth, However, when your crown is seated too high, it takes all the pressure from your bite which can damage the crown.
You can either give your dentist another try or allow the emergency dentist to re-do it. Either way, it needs to be replaced. In your place, I’d go with the emergency dentist or a completely different third dentist if you weren’t comfortable with him. Your dentist obviously doesn’t care enough.
However, the upside is, because it broke in such a short period of time you’re owed a refund. You won’t have to spend extra.
This blog is brought to you by Parma Dentist Dr. Rebecca Gecovich.