Crown prep still hurts after 6 weeks. desperate for relief. willing to get a root canal if there's a small chance it will help. i had a crown prep done 6 weeks ago. for a week afterwards, i felt a sharp pain when biting down on food and an ever-present d

The : The fact that it getting better may be an indication that you wil be ok if you can hang in. If you can't, a root canal will probably give you immediate relief but you will have cut a hole in a new crown. This is a choice that you will have to make. If you want a second opinion ask to be referred to an endodontist who will do some basic tests to determine the problem and help predict the outcome.

It : It sounds like the nerve in the tooth was inflammed, but is now healing. If you can hang in there, do so. You don't want to have rooth canal therapy unless you absolutely have to. From what you have written, i think you will be fine.

Based : Based on the case presented, it maybe a cracked tooth syndrome that occured prior to permanent crown cementation. It can be hard to diagnose sometimes if it is not visibly obvious. Assuming that the extent of fracture is covered by the permanent crown cemented and no direct pulp involvement, the hyperemia will recover if the surface of the crown is not causing trauma during forward, lateral movement, and biting so the nerve will reverse back to a normal conditon (and hopefully you have no grinding habits). You should be fine. If the pain is persists and is getting worse (sensitive to hot and cold besides dull pain), the nerve may have given up and already turned into irreversible pulpitis. Even if you'll need a root canal, the accessed hole can still be covered by a core build up and a hard filling material.

From : From what you wrote, it seems the tempory crown was a bit too high and that situation was corrected with the permanent crown. If you feel there is improvement, i suggest waiting a few more weeks to see if the tooth starts to feel completely better. If not, there is a chance the nerve has started to die and a root canal may, in fact, be required. See your dentist if things do not continue to improve and don't avoid using the tooth. Otherwise you won't really know if it is improving.

See Endodontist: Should not still hurt. Likely irreversible pulpitis which needs root canal treatment. The Endodontist can evaluate the condition of the tooth regarding cracks as well. Go get seen by the specialist and get some relief. Good Luck.

2 options: It might be a reversible pulpitis which will heal itself, or it might be an irreversible pulpitis which might require root canal treatment. See your dentist for evaluation, x-ray and treatment if needed.