A temporary crown is a provisional, tooth-shaped cap placed over a tooth prepared for a permanent restoration. This protective covering is typically made from a softer material like acrylic and is held in place with a gentle, temporary dental cement. The temporary crown shields the exposed, sensitive inner tooth structure, prevents surrounding teeth from shifting, and maintains the proper biting position while a dental laboratory fabricates the final, permanent crown. Because the temporary crown is designed for easy removal, it requires careful management, particularly concerning when and what you can eat.
The Critical Waiting Period: When to Start Eating
The most immediate concern after a temporary crown is placed is allowing the cement to achieve its initial set. Temporary dental cement is specifically formulated to be less tenacious than permanent adhesives, allowing for the crown’s eventual easy removal. The initial setting time for this cement often ranges from 30 minutes to one hour, though your dental professional will provide the precise time required for the specific material used in your mouth.
During this brief window, you must completely avoid chewing or biting down on the treated side of your mouth. This prevents dislodging the crown while the bond is weakest, as the mechanical force of chewing can compromise the cement’s integrity before it has adequately hardened. You can typically consume liquids during this period, but it is best to avoid anything that requires active chewing until the recommended setting time has passed. Once the time has elapsed, you can carefully introduce soft foods, but the tooth may remain sensitive to pressure for a few hours.
Long-Term Dietary Rules for Temporary Crowns
While the initial waiting period is short, specific dietary precautions must be followed for the entire duration the temporary crown is worn, which is usually one to three weeks. These restrictions exist because the acrylic material is not as durable as a permanent crown, and the cement bond is intentionally weak. Failure to follow these rules increases the risk of the crown fracturing or coming loose.
Foods to Avoid
Foods that are sticky, tacky, hard, or crunchy pose the greatest threat to the temporary crown. Sticky items, such as chewing gum or caramel, can adhere to the crown and exert a powerful lifting force, pulling it off the prepared tooth. Hard or crunchy foods risk chipping, cracking, or breaking the acrylic material. Specifically, you should avoid nuts, ice, hard candies, popcorn kernels, and very crusty breads.
You should also adjust your chewing technique to protect the provisional restoration. It is highly advisable to consciously chew food only on the side of the mouth opposite the temporary crown. Additionally, the prepared tooth beneath the temporary crown may experience increased sensitivity, making it wise to limit consumption of extremely hot or cold beverages and foods. This sensitivity occurs because the underlying tooth structure, which has been reduced in size, is more exposed to temperature changes.
Essential Care and Hygiene Practices
Maintaining meticulous oral hygiene is necessary to prevent gum inflammation and decay around the temporary crown, but the technique must be modified to prevent dislodgement. When brushing, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and apply gentle pressure, focusing on cleaning the gum line around the temporary crown without aggressively scrubbing. This gentle approach prevents excessive mechanical force from weakening the temporary cement or irritating the surrounding gum tissue.
The flossing procedure requires the most significant adjustment to protect the crown. Instead of using the traditional technique of pulling the floss back up or “popping” it out from between the teeth, which can catch the crown’s edge, you must slide the floss out sideways. After gently guiding the floss down between the teeth and cleaning the sides of the crown, release one end of the floss and thread it through the contact point, pulling it out horizontally from the gumline. Avoiding alcohol-based mouthwashes is also recommended, as the alcohol can potentially weaken the temporary cement over time.
Handling Common Temporary Crown Issues
Despite careful adherence to all guidelines, temporary crowns can occasionally present issues that require attention. Experiencing increased tooth sensitivity to temperature or pressure is common after the preparation appointment. For mild discomfort, over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can typically manage the symptoms effectively.
If the temporary crown becomes chipped, cracked, or falls off entirely, it is generally not considered a dental emergency, but it does require prompt attention. The first step is to locate the crown and clean it gently with warm water. You must contact your dental office immediately, as the underlying tooth needs protection from bacteria and shifting. If you cannot reach the dentist right away, you may temporarily reattach the crown using a small amount of over-the-counter temporary dental cement, denture adhesive, or even petroleum jelly, pressing it firmly back into place.