Molar Extraction next to a Crowned Tooth
 

Three weeks ago, I had my back molar extracted. The tooth next to the extracted molar had a crown on it, which the dentist removed for the extraction and then put back in place. The hole left from the extraction extended a little bit under the replaced crown, but the dentist said that wasn't a problem.

The site seems to be healing fine, but the crown is right over the edge of the extraction site and so chewing with it has been pretty sore/tender at times. Is this normal? Should I just continue to avoid chewing at all on that side of my mouth until the gum is more solidly healed next to the crown or is it possible that the gum under the crown has become infected or inflamed?

Also, the entire area of the extraction still gets achy from time to time - including the crowned tooth and the gum and cheek above it. Just sore, not extremely painful, but Advil and Tylenol don't seem to help. Any advice as to if this is all just a part of the healing process or if I need to go back to the dentist would be appreciated. I took a full round of antibiotics before and after the extraction, so I am hoping to avoid another round.

Hi thatcher,

I am in the dental field and can offer you some help here.

It sounds like the crown on that molar is over extended, meaning it may not be fitting very well on that tooth. This could have been a problem for a very long time and/or the bone loss from the extracted tooth could have resulted in this crown fitting poorly.

It also sounds like you have inflammation there. Could be food impaction, could be plaque build up, could be decay, could be infection.....

I would suggest that you see your dentist this week for evaluation of that area and discuss the fit of that crown on that molar. He should take a periapical x-ray at the onset of the visit before he goes poking around too much to see if there is any radiographic pathology present. If you can and want to .... post the x-ray here.

You can also rinse a few times a day with warm salt water. That won't cure the problem but it may help it to feel better. And avoid chewing in that area for another week or so depending on what the dentist sees at your visit.

Questions.... was the extracted tooth a root canaled tooth? Is this crowned molar a root canaled tooth?

Please check back with us....
Bryanna

THANK YOU Bryanna! I will def. check back with my dentist asap. The extracted tooth was a root canaled tooth that developed a crack - excruciating pain, I am glad to have it gone! The crowned molar also was root canaled almost 20 years ago and the dentist thinks it may need to be re-root canaled. I am nervous about this plan because of what I have read about root canals and infection. The tooth also extends into my sinus so I want to be extra careful. He has said that he is concerned that extraction followed by an implant might impact the sinus more than trying to re-root canal. What are your thoughts on this? I really appreciate your work here!

I hope I am not repeat replying here, but I did not see my response:

The extracted tooth was root canaled, then escalated to a very painful cracked tooth according to my dentist. I am happy to have it extracted, but I am a little concerned that he may have perforated my sinus - not very big, but I am having a small bubbling sensation in the extraction hole and today I had a little nosebleed. It's been three weeks - can a perforated sinus take that long to present??

The crowned tooth was root canaled almost 20 years ago, but has recently been causing problems. The dentist says I will need to either have it re root canaled or extracted. It extends into my sinus, so I am nervous about either option.