A temporary crown is a provisional placeholder, protecting a prepared tooth while the permanent restoration is fabricated in a dental lab. These caps are secured with a weaker dental cement chosen to allow for easy removal during the final appointment. When the temporary crown dislodges, often due to sticky foods or cement wear, a short-term, at-home fix is required before you can reach your dentist. Quickly re-seating the crown protects the underlying prepared tooth structure and prevents adjacent teeth from shifting.
How Long Toothpaste Can Secure the Crown
Toothpaste offers a non-toxic, accessible, and provisional solution for re-seating a dislodged temporary crown. Its efficacy is extremely limited, as it functions only as a thick, viscous filler that creates friction between the crown and the prepared tooth surface. This physical property helps hold the crown in place until a professional can re-cement it properly. In most cases, toothpaste can secure the crown for only a few hours, typically lasting up to a maximum of one day. Saliva, drinking, and biting pressure quickly degrade and wash away the paste, making the crown highly susceptible to falling out again. Eating is strongly discouraged, even with soft foods, as chewing can easily dislodge the temporary cap.
Safe Application Steps for Temporary Re-Seating
Using toothpaste for a temporary fix requires careful preparation of both the crown and the tooth to maximize the short-term hold.
- Thoroughly clean the inside of the temporary crown to remove any old cement or debris.
- Gently rinse the prepared tooth structure, but avoid scrubbing the sensitive area.
- Once both surfaces are clean and dry, apply a small, pea-sized amount of plain, non-gel toothpaste, as gel formulas lack the necessary viscosity.
- Spread the paste thinly around the inner rim of the crown, ensuring the material is evenly distributed.
- Carefully orient the crown over the prepared tooth, noting that it only fits one way.
- Gently press the crown firmly into position, then lightly bite down to ensure it is fully seated and comfortable.
- Immediately wipe away any excess toothpaste that oozes out around the edges.
- Avoid using household superglues or other non-dental adhesives, which can damage the crown or tooth and pose a health risk.
When to Seek Professional Dental Attention
Temporary re-seating with toothpaste is only a stopgap measure; immediate professional dental attention is necessary. Contact your dental office as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours, to have the crown re-cemented with proper materials. Delaying care leaves the sensitive tooth exposed, increasing the risk of hypersensitivity, irritation, and infection. Leaving the crown off for an extended period allows adjacent teeth to shift, which can compromise the fit of the final permanent crown. If you cannot get into the office right away, consider purchasing temporary dental cement or denture adhesive from a pharmacy, as these offer a slightly more stable hold than toothpaste.