How to Care for Temporary Dental Crowns
For major tooth decay or fractures, the ideal treatment option is the use of dental crowns. These caps for teeth protect the underlying tooth structure from further damage or harm. Dr. Eugene D. Stanislaus and Dr. Lisa Reid have helped numerous patients at our Brooklyn, NY practice using dental crowns.
Most crowns are crafted at an off-site dental lab. This means that patients will need to wear temporary dental crowns for about a week or two as the custom crowns are being created. Because of this, there are certain care instructions that have to be considered. Below are some basic tips on how to care for temporary dental crowns.
Don’t Eat for 30 Minutes After the Crown Is Placed
Even though the temporary crown will be replaced eventually, it’s important that it remain secure. To avoid problems, avoid eating for 30 minutes after the temporary crown has been cemented and set at the office.
Foods to Avoid
Certain foods may dislodge a temporary crown. Avoid the following:
- Caramel
- Taffy
- Chewing gum
- Bagels
- French bread
- Corn nuts
- Granola
- Corn on the cob
- Apples
Stick with a Soft Foods Diet
Given the harm caused by crunchy and sticky foods, it’s best for Brooklyn Heights Dental patients to have a soft food diet while their temporary crown is in place. That means yogurt, mashed potatoes, oatmeal, applesauce, bananas, soup, smoothies, and so forth. If the food doesn’t require major effort to eat, that’s best for you.
Avoid Hot and Cold Temperatures
Hot and cold temperatures can lead to acute bouts of tooth sensitivity. Try to stick with lukewarm or room temperature foods and beverages while your have temporary dental crowns in place.
Chew on the Opposite Side of Your Mouth
As an added precaution, we recommend that patients try to chew on the opposite side of the mouth from where the crown is located. This is especially helpful in the first couple of days in reducing discomfort and keeping that temporary crown in place.
Oral Hygiene with Temporary Crowns
It’s important for patients to brush their teeth at least three times a day and floss at least once a day when a temporary crown in is place. Ideally, brushing and flossing after each meal is best. Rinsing your mouth a few times a day with an antibacterial mouthwash is also a good practice. This all helps reduce the risk of infection and inflammation when the temporary crown is in place.
Returning to Our Practice for Your Permanent Crowns
Once the permanent crown is ready, you’ll come back to our practice to have the temporary crown removed and the permanent crown set in place. Again, that will be about a week to two weeks after getting the temporary crown.
What About Same-Day Dental Crowns?
Some patients may be eligible for same-day dental crowns. Rather than getting crowns fashioned at an off-site dental lab, same-day dental crowns can be created at the practice using advanced digital scanning and custom milling technology. There’s no need for temporary crowns, and the process just takes one visit.
During your consultation, we can determine if same-day dental crowns or traditional dental crowns are better for you and your needs.
Learn More About Your Treatment Options
For more information about treating damaged teeth and serious cavities, be sure to contact our team of cosmetic and restorative dentists. You can reach Brooklyn Heights Dental by phone at (718) 857-6639.
