Does Your New Crown Feel Too High? Here's What to Expect
Getting a new crown should feel like a relief—not a source of worry. But if you're sitting there thinking, "Something feels weird when I bite down," you're experiencing something we see nearly every day at our practice.
The good news? Most of the time, it's either temporary or fixable in about ten minutes.
Let me walk you through what's actually happening and when you should come back in.
The First 48 Hours: Your Mouth Is Adjusting
Even when a crown is placed perfectly, your bite might feel strange at first. Think of it like breaking in a new pair of shoes—there's an adjustment period while your jaw muscles and proprioception (your body's spatial awareness) recalibrate.
During this window, try:
Chewing evenly on both sides – Babying one side can actually create muscle soreness on the other
Eating normally, but avoid the really hard stuff – Let your system ease into the new surface
Paying attention to specific spots – If one particular point feels like it's hitting first every single time, that's useful information
Understanding Occlusion: Why Microns Matter
Here's something most patients don't realize: your bite operates in a remarkably precise system. We're talking about tolerances measured in microns—that's one-thousandth of a millimeter. Your periodontal ligament (the tissue that suspends each tooth in its socket) contains thousands of nerve endings that can detect pressure differences as small as 20 microns.
When a crown is even 50–100 microns too high, those nerves fire constantly, telling your brain "something's wrong here." That's why a high spot that looks invisible to the naked eye can feel enormous in your mouth. Your natural teeth have a slight cushioning effect when you bite—about 28 microns of movement in the socket. A crown on an implant has zero give. That's why precision matters so much, especially if your new crown is implant-supported.
The TMJ Connection: How One Tooth Affects Everything
Your temporomandibular joint isn't just a hinge—it's a complex system that relies on balanced input from all your teeth. When one crown sits too high, your jaw unconsciously shifts to avoid it. That compensation happens hundreds of times a day while you're eating, swallowing, even talking.
Over days or weeks, that repetitive shift can strain the muscles around your TMJ, leading to headaches, ear pressure, or clicking sounds that weren't there before. As a dentist in Kansas City, Kansas, I've seen patients develop symptoms that seemed unrelated to their dental work, only to find relief within hours of a simple crown adjustment. Your body is brilliant at adapting, but that doesn't mean it should have to.
When "Different" Becomes "Wrong"
Here's the distinction: A crown that feels different for a day or two is normal. A crown that causes pain when you bite, makes you shift food to avoid it, or gives you jaw tension? That needs attention.
I use articulating paper—those thin blue or red sheets—to identify high spots down to the micron. Often, we're talking about polishing away a contact point that's just barely too tall. The relief is immediate.
Signs you need a quick adjustment:
Sharp discomfort when chewing on that tooth
Constant urge to "guide" food away from the crown
New headaches near your temples or jaw fatigue
Why We Don't Just "Wait It Out"
I've had patients ask, "Will it wear down on its own?" Technically, yes—over months. But in that time, you're putting uneven pressure on that tooth, the opposing tooth, and your jaw joint. That can lead to cracks, lingering sensitivity, or even shifting your bite in ways that cause problems elsewhere.
A ten-minute appointment now beats weeks of compensating.
If You Grind Your Teeth
Bruxers and clenchers feel bite discrepancies more intensely. If you're someone who wakes up with a tight jaw or finds yourself clenching during the day, even a small high spot can feel like a mountain. We'll check your bite carefully and may talk about a night guard to protect not just your new crown, but everything else in your mouth.
How We Handle It at State Avenue Dental Office
When you come in for a bite check, here's what happens:
Visual and tactile exam – We look at margins, height, and how the crown sits
Articulating paper test in multiple movements – You'll tap, slide side-to-side, and move forward while we mark the contacts
Micro-adjustments – We polish only what needs it, preserving the crown's anatomy and strength
Re-check and walk-through – You leave comfortable and clear on what to expect
No drama, no major rework. Just precision.
Your Bite Shouldn't Be a Guessing Game
Here's the thing about dental discomfort: it doesn't get bonus points for toughing it out. I've had patients wait weeks, convinced they just needed to "get used to it," only to realize in about ninety seconds of adjustment time that they'd been compensating for no reason.
A crown that feels high isn't a character-building exercise. It's feedback. And we'd rather hear about it on day three than month three, when you've developed a whole compensation pattern we now have to unwind.
Call State Avenue Dental Office and let's take a look. If it turns out your bite is fine and you're just in that normal adjustment window, at least you'll know. And if there's a micron-level tweak that'll make you forget the crown is even there? That's what we're here for. Ten minutes, one quick polish, zero regrets.