How to Care for Your Temporary Dental Crown

When you need a permanent dental crown, part of the process is the placement of a temporary prosthetic. This temporary crown is usually made from acrylic material and helps restore your tooth while the permanent, custom-fit crown is created. 

A temporary crown only stays in place for a short while, but giving it the care and attention it needs helps you avoid pain and discomfort while you wait for your permanent crown. It also helps you avoid dental complications in the future. 

At his private practice in Butte, Montana, Robert F. Wilcox, DMD, specializes in providing new dental crowns of all types and restoring and replacing existing crowns for patients of all ages. 

While Dr. Wilcox provides you with personalized aftercare instructions when he places your temporary crown, knowing what to expect and how to care for this prosthesis could help you feel confident and at ease.

That’s why our team put together this helpful guide. Keep reading to learn what you need to know about caring for your temporary crown

Brush and floss carefully

If you have a temporary crown, you might feel like skipping brushing and flossing around the affected area. But keeping the tooth and gums clean is essential, since the seal around your natural tooth isn’t as tight as it will be with your permanent crown. 

This means particles of food and bacteria can more easily move beneath a temporary crown if you don’t keep it clean. For this reason, brush and floss twice a day, but using special care. 

Brush very gently when brushing near the crown. To avoid dislodging or damaging your temporary crown or natural tooth, don’t floss up and down along the side of the tooth with the prosthetic in place. Instead, push the floss between the teeth, then gently slide it out from the side. Do not pull the floss. 

Don’t worry — our team won’t let you leave without knowing what you need to do. We show you how to brush and floss correctly. 

Watch what you eat

Dr. Wilcox adheres your temporary crown in position using dental cement. But he doesn’t use permanent cement, since your temporary crown needs to come out after a few weeks. 

For this reason, you need to avoid chewing food using the side of your mouth with a temporary crown. You also need to avoid sticky and hard foods, as these foods can pull the crown out or crack it. 

Dr. Wilcox talks to you in detail about the types of foods to stay away from while your temporary crown is in place. Some of the most common foods to avoid include:

• Nuts 
• Hard candy and caramels
• Hard fruits (e.g., apples)
• Hard veggies (e.g., carrots)
• Crusty or hard breads
• Chewy breads
• Popcorn and corn on the cob
• Tough meat and steaks
• Ice and chewing gum

Be careful with very hot or cold foods, as they can affect the temporary cement, making it easier for the crown to get dislodged.     

Know what to do if something goes wrong

If you lose a temporary crown, don’t wait until we call about your permanent crown before making an appointment to see us. 

Because of how we must prepare it for the permanent crown, your natural tooth is vulnerable. It can move out of place without the temporary crown to keep it stable, and it can be difficult to eat and drink due to increased sensitivity. 

Even the most careful dental patients sometimes have something go wrong with a temporary crown. Remember, temporary crowns are designed to be removed without too much difficulty. 

As such, they can become loose or come off completely. This can cause problems with the permanent crown if not addressed quickly. If this happens, knowing what to do can protect your natural tooth. 

Gently placing the crown back. If this isn’t possible or if your temporary crown gets lost, call us to schedule an appointment. In most cases, we can replace the missing crown with a new temporary crown. 

Do you want more information about caring for your temporary crown? Get the expert help you need by scheduling an appointment with Dr. Wilcox in Butte, Montana.