A temporary crown is a cap placed over a prepared tooth while a dental laboratory fabricates the final, permanent restoration. It protects the underlying tooth structure, prevents surrounding teeth from shifting, and maintains normal function. Losing this covering is common because it is intentionally held in place with a weaker, provisional cement. This guide focuses on the immediate steps to take and how to manage the exposed tooth.
Immediate Actions After Losing the Crown
The moment you realize the temporary crown has detached, carefully retrieve the piece. Gently rinse the crown with lukewarm water, avoiding scrubbing, which could damage the thin margins. Also, gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water to clear away any debris from the exposed tooth preparation.
Inspect both the inside of the crown and the tooth preparation, which often looks like a small, tapered peg or “stump.” If the crown is intact and not visibly damaged, it may be possible to temporarily re-secure it. Contact your dental office immediately, even if the loss occurs after hours, so they can schedule you for a repair as soon as possible.
Eating Safely with an Exposed Tooth
You can eat after losing your temporary crown, but caution is necessary to prevent damage to the underlying tooth preparation. The exposed tooth is weaker and more susceptible to fractures or chipping, which complicates fitting the permanent crown. Chewing directly on the preparation can also cause the tooth to shift out of alignment, making permanent crown placement difficult.
Strictly avoid sticky foods, such as caramels or chewing gum, as they can pull the crown off or adhere to the tooth surface. Hard or crunchy foods like nuts, raw carrots, or hard candies risk fracturing the prepared tooth due to concentrated biting force. The safest diet consists of soft, lukewarm foods requiring minimal chewing, such as yogurt, mashed potatoes, well-cooked pasta, or blended soups.
Chew only on the side of the mouth opposite the exposed tooth, even when consuming soft foods. This minimizes the risk of physical trauma to the preparation site and keeps food particles away from the sensitive area. Avoiding extreme temperature changes, such as very hot coffee or iced beverages, also reduces the likelihood of painful sensitivity during meals.
Addressing Tooth Sensitivity and Pain
When the temporary crown comes off, the prepared tooth structure is often highly sensitive because the protective layer of dentin is exposed. Dentin contains microscopic tubules leading directly to the pulp, where the nerve resides. Exposure to air, temperature changes, or sweet foods causes a sharp, painful response as fluid moves rapidly within these open tubules.
Discomfort can often be managed using over-the-counter pain relief medications, such as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) like ibuprofen. These medications reduce localized inflammation in the surrounding tissues, offering relief from throbbing or persistent ache. Always adhere to the dosage instructions provided on the packaging for safe use.
Applying a small amount of desensitizing toothpaste directly to the exposed tooth can provide temporary relief by blocking the openings of the dentinal tubules. Holding the paste on the area for a minute allows the active ingredients to begin working. Rinsing with a non-alcoholic, fluoride-containing mouthwash helps soothe the area and provides protection against decay until the crown is re-cemented.
Stop-Gap Measures Until Your Dental Appointment
While professional re-cementation by your dentist is required, temporary measures can protect the tooth until your appointment. Re-securing the crown prevents adjacent teeth from drifting and protects the soft gum tissue from irritation. Before attempting reattachment, ensure the inside of the crown is clean of old cement debris, using a toothpick if necessary, and that the tooth preparation is dry.
Use an over-the-counter temporary dental cement kit, which is formulated to be biocompatible and easy for the dentist to remove later. If a kit is unavailable, a small amount of denture adhesive, dental wax, or petroleum jelly can serve as a short-term, provisional fix. Apply the chosen material only to the inner rim of the temporary crown, avoiding overfilling the space.
Gently seat the temporary crown back onto the prepared tooth, ensuring it fits completely and is correctly oriented. Bite down lightly for a few moments to fully seat it, then carefully remove any excess cement that oozes out from the margins. This fix is not a permanent solution and should only protect the tooth for a maximum of 24 to 48 hours until you see your dental professional.