Caring for a Temporary Dental Crown

A temporary crown is the placeholder crown used for a tooth, while a permanent dental crown is made in a dental lab to match your smile. Once the tooth is prepared to accept the dental crown, a temporary dental crown is used as a short-term solution. Temporary dental crowns are more delicate than permanent crowns, so it is essential to take extra care when brushing and flossing them. 

Why is a temporary dental crown needed?

Because it takes a week to several weeks for a permanent crown to be made, a temporary dental crown is a necessary step in the process to help protect the tooth until the permanent dental crown can be cemented in place. The temporary dental crown helps to:

• Protect the tooth, roots or implant screw
• Allow you to smile, eat and chew as usual
• Maintain proper spacing between the teeth 

A temporary crown is needed whenever a permanent crown is being used. Crowns are recommended for teeth with large fillings or breaks, teeth that have been root canal treated and dental implants. 

A temporary dental crown will blend in well with the rest of your teeth. It will be roughly the same shade, shape and appearance as your past natural tooth but won’t look as aesthetically pleasing or be as strong and resilient as the permanent crown. It will be able to function like normal, with a bit of extra care given to it. It is best to avoid very hard, sticky and tough-to-chew foods.

A temporary crown is made from weaker plastic materials such as ethyl, methacrylates and bisacrylics. It is cemented using weaker cement because it has to be removed in 1-2 weeks. Therefore it is essential to treat a temporary crown with care. 

Foods to avoid with a temporary crown:

• Popcorn
• Tough and chewy meat
• Crusty pieces of bread
• Crunchy fruits and vegetables
• Nuts and seeds
• Hard candies and gum
• Very hard or cold foods

If your temporary crown becomes loose or is lost, it is crucial to call your dentist to book an appointment to have another temporary crown placed. Leaving the open space can lead to problems such as gum overgrowth and tooth shifting, even in a matter of one week. 

If you have any questions about temporary crowns, we encourage you to contact us today to schedule an appointment.