Post-op instructionsTemporary crown or bridge

Post-treatment care

During your first appointment, one or more of your teeth was prepared for a crown or bridge. A temporary crown was fabricated for each prepared tooth. Temporary crowns are cemented with a temporary dental cement to allow for easy removal at your next appointment. Temporary crowns are of universal size and shade.

Until your next appointment:

• Whenever anesthesia is used, avoid chewing on your teeth until the numbness has worn off.
• You may experience sensitivity to temperature and pressure, gum soreness and slight discomfort on the tooth/teeth; such discomforts should subside after the placement of a permanent crown.
• Avoid hard or sticky foods that may dislodge temporary crowns, such as hard chewy breads like bagels or French bread, chewy candies like taffy, caramels or gum, hard and crunchy foods like corn, nuts or popcorn kernels. Do not bite into foods like corn on the cob or apples.
• If a temporary crown becomes loose or comes off, try to place it back onto the tooth and call the clinic at your convenience to get the crown re-cemented.
• Rinse your mouth with Listerine™ mouthwash or warm salt water to minimize inflammation of the gum tissue.
• Acrylic temporaries attract more bacterial plaque than natural teeth. It is therefore important to brush normally, at least three times a day. Floss at least once a day, but floss gently and avoid pulling up on the floss which may dislodge the temporary. Pull the floss out from the side of the temporary crown.
• You may experience sensitivity to hot or cold foods or beverages after treatment.
• Mild to moderate discomfort after dental work is common. An over-the-counter pain reliever/anti-inflammatory is recommended for patients who are able to tolerate them (Tylenol^TM, Advil^TM, Aleve^TM, etc.). If discomfort increases, please call the clinic.
• If your bite feels uneven, if you have persistent pain, or if you have any other questions or concerns, please contact us.