How to Take Care of Your Temporary Crown

Dentists often place temporary crowns while permanent ones are prepared. They can provide protection for a weak tooth, can improve the appearance of your smile, and can maintain a tooth’s position. 

At Bayside Dental Arts in Queens, New York, Dr. Andrey Ilyabayev and our team provide dental crowns to restore your smile. We provide you with a temporary crown until your permanent crown is ready. Here’s what you need to know about caring for your temporary crown.  

Why you might need a crown

Dental crowns can protect and preserve damaged teeth, extending their lifespan and maintaining your smile. If you need an implant to replace a missing tooth, we can also place a temporary crown on the implant, giving you a functional tooth while you wait for the permanent replacement. 

Broken or chipped tooth

A broken or chipped tooth is both a practical and cosmetic concern. If we cannot repair the tooth with dental bonding, you may need another kind of coverage. Dental crowns customized to match the rest of your smile can cover exposed teeth and gaps.

Root canal

Root canals can salvage damaged teeth, giving them a new lease on life. Following the procedure, we may protect the vulnerable tooth with a crown to prevent further damage and decay. This not only protects your tooth, but hides the filling as well. 

Dental implant

If you opt for a dental implant, the actual implant is a titanium post within the jawbone. Once the implant has fused with your jawbone, we place a dental crown on top to finish the restoration. 

Complete implants look and function exactly like real teeth. You won’t feel the difference. 

Caring for your temporary crown

Whether you have a temporary crown placed over a broken tooth, root canal, or implant, you need to treat it gently. Temporary crowns are firmly fixed in place, but not permanently bonded. To avoid accidentally pulling your crown off, you need to floss carefully and avoid certain foods, including: 

• Tough meat
• Caramel or taffy
• Hard bread 
• Popcorn
• Nuts 
• Ice 

Temporary crowns often leave a slight gap along the gumline, so avoid eating sugar on that side to prevent decay. You’ll likely need to wear your temporary crown for 2-4 weeks until you can return to the dentist for the permanent crown. 

What to do if you lose a crown

Lost fillings and crowns are considered dental emergencies, especially if you lose a temporary one covering recent dental work like a root canal. There is a risk of decay and infection, and the inner structures of your teeth can become damaged. 

You may also experience sensitivity to temperature and pressure, making it uncomfortable and even painful to chew. 

If you lose a temporary crown, get in touch with us right away. If you can find the crown, rinse it out and bring it with you. Our team at Bayside Dental Arts can determine if we can reset it or if it needs replacement. 

To learn more about dental crowns, call us at 315-908-0804 or book an appointment online. We’re located in the Bayside neighborhood of Queens, New York City.