Crowns are one of the most effective and versatile dental treatments available. They help us address cosmetic issues, repair cracked and chipped teeth, and put the finishing touch on a root canal.
But they’re not an instant fix.
To make sure your crown fits properly and blends in flawlessly with the rest of your teeth, we send an impression to a lab where they custom-make your crown. In the meantime (around 2-3 weeks), you wear a temporary crown to protect your vulnerable tooth.
Here, our team of dentists at Rifkin Dental equips you with a few practical strategies to protect your temporary crown while you wait.
The glue we use to hold your temporary crown in place is only meant to last for a short time. That means you can eat normally, with a few exceptions. The glue is no match for hard, crunchy, and sticky foods like nuts, steak, raw veggies, and candies. Until you get your fully functioning permanent crown, we recommend taking a break from those tougher treats.
The temperature of your food also matters. Too hot or too cold, and you could compromise the glue’s grip on your temporary crown.
Sugary foods and beverages can also interfere with your temporary crown. There’s a natural gap between your temporary crown and your gum line. This opens the door for sugar to find its way under the crown and cause decay.
Keeping up your oral hygiene routine is important, no matter what’s happening in your mouth. But you do have to take a little extra precaution when you have a temporary crown.
Try gently sliding floss in and out between your teeth, instead of pulling it up and down. When your toothbrush makes its way to your temporary crown, it’s a good idea to let off the gas and brush with gentle strokes.
Despite your best efforts, your temporary crown can still come loose or get lost altogether. When that happens, your first step is to call our office right away. We can reglue your wiggly crown or replace it.
It’s important to know that even though this crown is temporary, it’s a crucial step in restoring your smile. Leaving an empty space in your mouth risks damage to the tooth and gum tissue underneath.
If you’d like more information, or if you’re worried that something’s happened to your temporary crown, don’t hesitate to request an appointment at either our Carmel or Yorktown Heights, New York, offices today.
