When getting a crown in North Houston, your procedure may require two appointments. At the first visit, we’ll adjust your tooth to fit a crown. Then we’ll send a replica of the prepped tooth to our dental laboratory for a technician to design and fabricate your permanent one. Typically it takes about 2-3 weeks for a crown to be completely designed. In the meantime, we’ll make you a temporary crown to wear. At your second visit, your provisional crown will be removed and we’ll cement your permanent one into place.
Since you’ll be wearing your temporary for a while, you’ll need to know the ins and outs of caring for it.
Taking Care of Your Temporary Crown
A temporary crown is made from a plastic-type material and is held in place with a mild cement. Therefore, you’ll need to be careful with it throughout the entire time that you have it, so that it doesn’t come off or break.
Food To Stay Away From
To prevent your temp from breaking, it’s best to avoid chewing on it too much. We recommend chewing on the other side of your mouth. If for some reason you can’t do that, then be careful with what you decide to eat. Avoid eating very hard and crunchy foods like peanut brittle, carrots, and chips.
If your temporary is on a front tooth, biting into certain things can cause it to break or pop-off. Therefore, it’s best if you cut your food into smaller bite-sized pieces and start out with your bites further back in your mouth.
Sticky foods, such as candy or gum, should also be avoided because they can stick to your temporary or create a suction that pulls it off.
Cleaning Your Teeth
Brushing your temporary and the gum tissue surrounding it is very important. When you do, do so gently while using a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Flossing is also recommended, but it’s best to avoid floss picks and instead use a traditional flossing string. To floss, slide the string between your teeth, clean the sides of each tooth, and then pull the flossing string through at the gum line to remove it. Don’t pop the floss back out because this can loosen your temp or even make it come off.
What To Do If Your Temporary Breaks or Comes Off?
If your temporary crown breaks or comes off, you’ll need to come to see us to get it repaired. It’s very important that your tooth stays covered, so give our North Houston dentist a call right away.
In the meantime, check to see if the crown can go back on your tooth. If it does, then you can keep it in place by putting a bit of temporary cement underneath it. This product can be found in the toothpaste aisle of most stores. Whatever you do, don’t use a permanent adhesive like super glue as doing so can damage your tooth.
If your temporary broke when it came off, then there may not be much that you can do to salvage it. When you call, be sure to mention that your crown is broken so that we can get you in right away to make you a new one.
Not Sure What To Do About Your Temporary Crown?
If you’re ever at a loss and don’t know what to do about your tooth, just ask Dr. Bastani of North Houston Dentistry. Our favorite family dentist is always here for you, so don’t hesitate to come see us.
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