Temporary crowns and bridges
During your first appointment, one or more of your teeth were prepared to receive a crown or bridge. A temporary crown was made for each prepared tooth and is held in place with temporary cement, making it easier to remove at your next appointment.
In the meantime
Chewing: Avoid chewing until you regain full sensation in the anesthetized area.
Sensitivity: You may experience increased sensitivity to hot, cold, and pressure, as well as some discomfort in the gums and the treated tooth. These sensations should diminish once the permanent crown is in place.
Diet: Avoid hard or sticky foods such as tough breads (bagels, baguettes), chewy candies, and crunchy items (corn, nuts). These could dislodge the temporary crown. Also, avoid biting into hard foods like corn on the cob or apples.
Temporary Crown: If your temporary crown comes loose or feels loose, try to reposition it and call us to have it recemented at your convenience.
Oral Hygiene: Plaque adheres more easily to temporary acrylic crowns than to natural teeth. Therefore, maintain your usual brushing routine and brush at least three times a day. Use dental floss once a day, but do so gently and avoid pulling the floss up to prevent dislodging the temporary crown. Pass the floss around the edge of the temporary crown.
Sensitivity: You may experience increased sensitivity to hot or cold foods and beverages after the treatment.
Discomfort: A mild to moderate level of discomfort is common after dental procedures. We recommend taking an over-the-counter pain reliever or anti-inflammatory (such as Tylenol®, Advil®, Aleve®, etc.), provided you tolerate these medications well. If discomfort increases, please contact us.
Bite Adjustment: If you experience discomfort when biting, if pain persists, or if you have any other questions, please contact us.