My dentist placed crowns on my six front teeth in August. Before the crowns, I had a large gap between my two front teeth, which the treatment closed. However, the crowns have changed my speech. Trying to adjust has caused ongoing jaw and neck discomfort. My mouth also stays dry, and my lips feel numb.
Could the shape or position of the new crowns cause these symptoms? Can the dentist put some space back between my two front teeth? – Thanks. Ishmael
Ishmael,
The thickness, length, or contours of your new crowns may be affecting your speech. Your tongue and lips rely on the shape and position of your front teeth to form certain sounds, so significant changes can change the way you speak.
You also mentioned that a large gap between your two front teeth was completely closed. That required a noticeable change in the shape and width of those teeth, which may be contributing to the difficulty you are experiencing.
What Can Cause Jaw and Neck Pain?
Your jaw and neck pain could be related to a change in your bite. If the crowns are too thick or otherwise interfere with how your teeth meet, your jaw muscles may work harder to find a comfortable position.
There are several things we would want a dentist to check. Your symptoms suggest that the evaluation should include more than simply looking at the appearance of the crowns:
- How your upper and lower teeth meet
- Whether the crowns are too thick or long
- Whether your lips close naturally without effort
- How you speak with the new tooth contours
These factors are closely connected. A change in one area can affect the muscles you use to speak, chew, and hold your jaw at rest.
Could the Crowns Be Contributing to Dry Mouth?
If the crowns prevent your lips from resting comfortably, you may be experiencing what dentists call lip incompetence. This means your lips don’t close naturally when your jaw is at rest.
Your dry mouth and lip symptoms make this worth investigating. Persistent dry mouth can increase your risk of tooth decay because saliva helps wash the teeth, neutralize acids, and protect against cavity-causing bacteria.
Why Get a Second Opinion?
We recommend getting a second opinion rather than continuing to struggle with these symptoms. Restoring six front teeth at once can significantly change your bite, speech, tooth proportions, and the way your lips relate to your teeth.
A dentist experienced in cosmetic and restorative dentistry can evaluate the crowns and determine whether their length, thickness, or position needs to change. If you prefer some space between your front teeth, ask whether that space can be partially restored. Depending on the crown design, a dentist may need to replace the two front crowns rather than adjust them.
Dr. James Gavrilos, an accredited cosmetic dentist from Barrington, Illinois, sponsors this post. Read about how he strives to provide some of the best dental care in Barrington.
Dr. Gavrilos restored this patient’s smile and bite