After reading other people's posts, my suggestion is going to be a little different. Why would you let a baby who is in pain cry it out? When I read those words, my heart sunk! Maybe I am just a different kind of mom. I can understand letting a baby do a little crying if you know they are just fighting sleep or being stubborn, but to let them cry knowing the reason why (and that reason is pain), I just can't understand! Have you tried a dose of Tylenol or Motrin and/or teething tablets before bed. We use the Humphries teething tablets and I really like them. If baby can't keep them under his tongue, you can disolve 3 tablets in a tsp of water and pour it on the area where the teeth are coming in.
Sure adults can put themselves back to sleep, but they can also get up, take some Advil, get a glass of water, and go back to sleep. Babies cannot do this. I believe that sleep (and self soothing) is a developmental milestone like sitting up, crawling, walking, etc. We don't force our kids into doing these things, so why do we feel like we should force our kids self soothing? Each child will get the hang of it...some sooner than others. Personally, it doesn't make since to me.
If you are serious about laying the baby down awake to put himself to sleep, do this when baby isn't hurting. Even adults can't go to sleep when they are is pain. Seems unreasonable to think babies can who don't know whats going on with their body. Teeting, illnesses, etc. or a time when baby needs comfort doesn't seem like the right time. But, when this isn't an issue anymore, then try sleep methods if that is your style of parenting.
Personally, I rock my son to sleep every night. Usually only takes me 10 to 15 mins. When hes out, I lay him down. He wakes up usually once a night, and I'll either rock him or bring him in bed with me. Other nights, he sleeps til morning in his crib. I think a combination of methods works best, not just one, depending on what's going on with baby!
Also, one more thing. Teething (and all of the extra solber that comes with it) can bring on ear infections! These are also very painful for babies. I would make sure that you are also not dealing with a painful infection as well! When my son has ear infections, he is up multiple times a night...like 4 to 6 times per night! And trust me, I know about infections. We just got tubes after 8 infections in 4 months!