Why Does One Tooth Feel Higher? Causes and Treatment

Have you ever had a tooth that feels raised when you bite down? This causes a painful feeling and can make it harder to chew. A small amount of difference can cause a tooth to feel raised and stand out.

This is referred to as a high spot or hyper-occlusion by dentists. Due to the complex nature of our teeth and joints, even a small issue can affect your bite. Knowing the reasons why one of your teeth feel raised can help to maintain good dental hygiene, prevent chronic joint pain and get treatment when needed.

What Are High Spots?

Our mouths have a very complex balance and this is referred to as dental occlusion. Occlusion is the way your upper and lower teeth meet each other during chewing, swallowing and closing naturally. During healthy function, your jaw muscles will distribute pressure evenly to all your teeth at once.

The teeth are held in place in your jaw bone by sensitive ligaments known as the periodontal ligament. These ligaments are full of thousands of nerve endings. If one tooth hits first, this causes the nerves to go into overdrive and alert the brain. This is why a small amount of difference can cause a big issue.

What Are the Common Reasons Why One Tooth Feels Higher?

Can New Dental Work Make One Tooth Feel Higher?

The most common reason for a tooth feeling raised would be because you have had new dental work done. When dentists place new fillings, crowns or bridges, they will shape them to fit your bite. However, during the fitting process you will likely have been numb and unable to feel your bite naturally.

• Too much filling – Dentists may leave an extra layer of composite resin or amalgam.

• Incorrect crown shape – Crowns are bespoke and should be shaped exactly like your original tooth. Small differences in the thickness of porcelain will change your bite.

• Numbness – The numbness caused by the anesthetic will reduce the natural nerve reflexes. You won’t notice the tooth is raised until the numbness has gone.

Can Trauma Cause a Tooth to Feel Raised?

Trauma can cause a tooth to become raised. This could be from falling accidentally, sporting injuries or biting down hard on an olive pit.

• Swollen Ligaments – Trauma causes the ligaments around your root to become inflamed, causing the tooth to become raised slightly.

• Slight Movement – The force from the trauma can cause the tooth to move slightly.

• Cracks – Cracks in the root will cause build up of liquid underneath the tooth.

Can Bruxism Make One Tooth Feel Higher?

Bruxism is the term used for when you grind and clench your teeth unconsciously. This puts huge amounts of pressure on your teeth and bones. Many people unknowingly grind their teeth whilst sleeping. This can cause a raised sensation and sore jaw muscles.

• Irritated Ligaments – The heavy grinding will cause certain teeth to become irritated. This will cause swelling in the area and raise the teeth.

• Uneven Enamel – The grinding will cause uneven wear to your teeth. Certain teeth will become shorter and others will feel raised.

• Jaw Muscles Spasms – Constant grinding will cause your jaw muscles to tighten. This will cause your lower jaw to move into unnatural positions and cause your normal teeth to feel raised.

Can a Hidden Abscess Cause a Tooth to Feel Raised?

A severe infection or abscess can cause a tooth to become raised. The bacteria will enter the pulp chamber (deep cavities or cracks). This causes a huge reaction from your body.

• Build up of Pus – The infection causes build up of liquid and pus at the tip of your tooth root.

• Raised Pressure – The build up of liquid causes high pressure and raises the infected tooth.

• Sensitivity – The raised infection will cause severe pain when you bite down.

Can Teeth Moving Cause One Tooth to Feel Higher?

The teeth aren’t fixed in the jaw bone. They will slowly move due to constant pressure. If you lose a tooth next to your raised tooth or do not wear your orthodontic retainer, the teeth will move.

• Supra-eruption – If you lose a tooth, the tooth opposite will no longer hit anything. It will slowly move upwards or downwards out of the socket.

• Relapse – If you do not wear your retainer as advised, your teeth will start to move back to their original position.

• Gum Disease – If your gum disease is advanced, the bone will start to break down. This will cause your teeth to become loose, tilted and out of position.

What Are the Risks of Leaving a High Tooth Untreated?

If you leave a high tooth, it will cause severe problems. Your jaw muscles will try to compensate constantly.

• Constant pain and bruising – The heavy pressure will cause bruising of the periodontal ligament and will cause constant aching and sensitivity.

• Fractured Enamel – The high tooth will cause heavy pressure on one spot. This will cause chips, cracks and breakages.

• TMJ – The uneven bite will cause strain on your jaw joints and muscles. This can cause pain, clicking and tension headaches.

• Increased bone loss – The lateral pressure will cause weakening of the bone around your teeth.

How Is a High Tooth Treated?

You should always have a professional assessment to fix a high tooth. Never try to file your teeth. This will cause permanent damage to your enamel and cause severe infections.

• Occlusal Adjustment – The dentist will use colored articulating paper to identify high spots. They will file down the tiny layers of material to create a perfect bite.

• Replace Crown/Filling – If the high tooth is due to a crown/ filling that is too high or incorrect shape, your dentist will file it down or replace it.

• Root Canal – If the tooth has become raised due to an infection, your dentist will clean out the infected part.

• Night-guard/Splint – A bespoke acrylic night-guard will protect your teeth from grinding at night. This will stop any ligament inflammation.

What Are the Top Tips for Managing a High Tooth?

• Book in to see a dentist as soon as possible.

• Avoid eating hard or sticky food on the affected side.

• Don’t grip your teeth together to check. This will increase ligament inflammation.

• Wear a bespoke mouth-guard when playing high impact sports.

• Wear your night-guard as advised.

What Are the Frequently Asked Questions About a High Tooth?

Can a High Tooth Correct Itself?

A high tooth will rarely correct itself. Whilst some ligament inflammation may settle, if there is a structural issue such as fillings, crowns or movement, the dentist will have to file down your teeth to protect your bite.

How Long Does It Take to Do an Occlusal Adjustment?

It usually takes under 15 minutes. The dentist will place thin colored paper between your teeth. They will ask you to bite down and file down the high spots.

Why Does My New Filling Feel Raised When I Eat?

During treatment, the area will be numb so you won’t feel the natural pressure sensors. Once the numbness has worn off, your jaw muscles will press against the restoration. This will cause very small high spots.

Can a High Tooth Cause Severe Jaw Pain?

Yes! A high tooth can cause severe pain in your jaw joints and muscles. The jaw muscles will subconsciously move your lower jaw into unnatural positions to avoid hitting the high tooth. This can cause muscle fatigue, spasms and TMJ.

A raised tooth will cause an immediate issue with your natural bite. This can be due to dental work, trauma, grinding or an infection. It is important to get high spots sorted quickly to prevent serious breakages, joint pain and expensive issues. Get in touch with your licensed dentist to get your natural bite back.