If your dentist can’t make your new crown in a single visit, you will be fitted with a temporary one until your next “seat” appointment. As you can imagine, this short term fix is in fact temporary space maintainer of sorts and not meant to last a long time so it should be treated as such. Follow these instructions and you should have no problems.
- If we used an injectable anesthetic, avoid eating and chewing until the numbness wears off completely.
- Avoid putting pressure on that tooth for a least 30 minutes to allow the temporary cement to set up completely
- To keep the temp in place, avoid eating hard or sticky foods and don’t chew on gum. Try to chew mainly on the opposite side of your mouth if possible.
- Brush normally but floss carefully by pulling the floss through the side, and not back out against the edge of the temporary. In some cases, you may be advised to avoid flossing the area completely.
- If your teeth are sensitive to hot, cold or pressure, you can use a desensitizing toothpaste but if it persists beyond a few days, call your dental office.
- You may take an anti-inflammatory medication as directed for soreness from the injection site.
- Rinse your mouth 2-3 times a day with warm salt water, especially if you are uncomfortable or swollen.
- If the temporary crown comes off, call right away to get it back on as the space is needed for your permanent crown to fit.
- Call your dental office if your bite feels unever, or is any discomfort lasts more than 3-4 days.
- Last but not least, don’t cancel the appointment for your permanent crown!