My throat and mouth have been dry, irritated, and burning since I got zirconia crowns. Could the crowns have caused burning mouth syndrome? My dentist struggled to prepare my teeth for the crowns and to get them to fit correctly. Two crowns are loose again, so the drama is unresolved. Neither my dentist nor an ENT found anything suspicious. My dentist asked me to get an allergy test. Could I be allergic to zirconia? – Thanks. Abygayle from CA
Abygayle,
While allergies to dental materials are uncommon, they cannot be completely ruled out. There have been isolated reports of reactions to zirconia, but the evidence remains limited because those cases have not been well documented or confirmed. Until stronger evidence is available, zirconia allergy should be viewed as a rare possibility rather than a likely diagnosis.
The patient’s symptoms and dental history suggest another condition deserves closer consideration.
Do Your Symptoms Fit Burning Mouth Syndrome?
Rather than dental crown allergies, traumatic dental experiences are more often the cause of burning mouth symptoms.
Although the medical literature frequently states that the cause of burning mouth syndrome is unknown, many clinicians have observed that symptoms sometimes begin after highly stressful dental procedures. Emotional stress and previous traumatic dental experiences may play an important role for some patients.
Some patients have reported experiencing similar symptoms, including dry mouth and a burning tongue, after stressful dental treatment.
What May Help With Future Dental Appointment?
Sedation dentistry may provide a much more comfortable experience. Patients who have experienced significant dental trauma often benefit from reduced anxiety during treatment. Choosing the right level of sedation can gradually improve your dental experience.
Sedation options may include:
- Oral conscious sedation for moderate anxiety
- IV sedation for severe dental anxiety
- A thorough discussion with the dental team about previous traumatic experiences
- A treatment plan designed to minimize stress throughout each appointment
Some patients experience lasting improvement in their dental anxiety, while others find that future appointments become easier to manage.
The Monroe, Louisiana, dentists at Bayou Dental Group sponsor this post. Please read how Dr. Finley and his team offer some of the best dental care in Monroe.
