CEREC Crowns and Jaw Pain

[jwetsu]

Five days ago I had two CEREC crowns placed (no root canal). The day after getting the crowns I didn't have any pain. However, the next day (two days after getting crowns) I started feeling a dull achy pain in my jaw. I have taken Aleve and Advil as well as using warm salt water rinses. I called my dentist today and he said to continue with the Advil for four more days. He seems to think it's just from the trauma and my mouth hasn't settled down yet. My gums are not sore and my teeth aren't sore, either. My bite seems to be fine as well. I can chew and it's fine. I'm just feeling pain in my jaw. I have terrible anxiety, so I'm thinking the worst! Please help! Anyone else ever experience this? I've had three root canals and had no issues. I'm hoping it's just something temporary.

 

[ScaredyCat22]

Five days ago I had two CEREC crowns placed (no root canal). The day after getting the crowns I didn't have any pain. However, the next day (two days after getting crowns) I started feeling a dull achy pain in my jaw. I have taken Aleve and Advil as well as using warm salt water rinses. I called my dentist today and he said to continue with the Advil for four more days. He seems to think it's just from the trauma and my mouth hasn't settled down yet. My gums are not sore and my teeth aren't sore, either. My bite seems to be fine as well. I can chew and it's fine. I'm just feeling pain in my jaw. I have terrible anxiety, so I'm thinking the worst! Please help! Anyone else ever experience this? I've had three root canals and had no issues. I'm hoping it's just something temporary.

Since your bite is good and the crowns fit well and your teeth are not hurting at all and you have no sensitivity to hot and cold and your gums are fine, my guess would be your jaw is just stiff from having held your mouth open so long for the crown prep and placement and probably some soreness from the numbing as well. I would expect you will start to feel a little better every day.

 

[jwetsu]

Thank you! It's weird because it only seems to hurt at night. It started earlier tonight around 6:30 and eased up again around 11:00 (thank goodness). I'm just scared. I have generalized anxiety disorder which causes me to have chronic worrying. I'm hoping it's nothing serious!

 

[ScaredyCat22]

does it seem to be getting a little better every day? or staying the same? or getting worse? I would only worry if it seems to be getting worse.

 

[jwetsu]

It seems to be staying the same. I did notice tonight while using my Waterpik that it seemed more sensitive around those two teeth. The main issue is my jaw hurting. I had both crowns put on the upper right back teeth. My lower right gums directly below my two new crowns also hurts when my jaw hurts. I'm so confused. All I can do is cry! I don't know what is going on and it's driving me insane.

 

[ScaredyCat22]

It seems to be staying the same. I did notice tonight while using my Waterpik that it seemed more sensitive around those two teeth. The main issue is my jaw hurting. I had both crowns put on the upper right back teeth. My lower right gums directly below my two new crowns also hurts when my jaw hurts. I'm so confused. All I can do is cry! I don't know what is going on and it's driving me insane.

I'm sorry to hear that. If it is still no better all this time and the pain is bad enough that it's making you cry, you need to go back to the dentist and tell them that. Tell them advil is not relieving your pain and you want some answers and some pain pills.

 

[jwetsu]

ScaredyCat22, thank you for talking to me. When I take the Advil, the pain goes away, but I don't like taking so many. I'm afraid they'll mess my stomach up. I did call my dentist back today and they are almost certain it's from holding my mouth open for so long. They also think my bite may be off since my lower gums are irritated. I go back Wednesday for my cleaning and the dentist is going to check everything out then. I will definitely keep you updated. I just get so scared!

 

[ScaredyCat22]

Oh well that very well may be, crown appointments are long and that is a strain on the jaw. But since you have no pain on biting it is not likely to be a bite adjustment, but I'm glad they are going to check it for you anyway.
You should be ok with the advil as long as you don't take it on an empty stomach.

 

[blackhound]

I have a lot of CEREC in my mouth and it is a lot of 'stuff' in one very long appointment. I generally have some kind of jaw pain after most dental appointments because I have problems with my jaw joint but I haven't had any kind of extraordinary difficulty due to CEREC.

I'm glad you are going back in and having it checked. I'll bet it's going to be as simple as a bite adjustment.

Good luck.

BH

 

[jwetsu]

ScaredyCat22, I went back to the dentist this past Wednesday for my cleaning. They did x-rays and thoroughly checked everything and found nothing. He said he's positive I've pulled a muscle in my jaw. He told me to continue on the Advil for every six hours and apply heat when it does hurt. My hygienist told me the exact same thing happened to her once and it took a month before everything calmed down. That helped ease my mind! My bite was good, so you were right about that. I noticed tonight when I was using my Waterpik it's still sensitive around one of my crowns. I didn't have any type of sensitivity while at the dentist. I hope it's nothing to worry about.

Blackhound, thank you for your comment! How long does your jaw pain usually last if you don't mind me asking? I love the CEREC option, because I like getting it all done in one appointment. When I had my root canals done, they put some sort of thing in my mouth to help hold my mouth open. I didn't get that with these two newest crowns, so I think that's why I'm having jaw pain this time.