While you wait for your permanent crown or bridge, please follow these steps. If you have any questions concerning your temporary crown, please contact our office.
-Following dental crowns or bridges, it is very usual to experience considerable changes in tooth temperature sensitivity and discomfort at the injection site. This should fade within a few days, if not weeks. Please contact our clinic if your pain is getting worse or creating more than minimal discomfort.
-For tooth discomfort, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) is particularly useful. To assist manage the sensitivity in this area, take two to four pills four times a day for the next three to four days (if needed) or follow the prescription instructions if one was given to you.
-Avoid eating sticky items (Nuts, Caramel, Chewing gum, Hard candy) on that side of the mouth that got the temporary crown done as it can pull it out or break it.
-Brush the gums around the temporary crown but the region around your temporary crown should not be flossed. If necessary, insert your floss between your teeth and pull it out to the side. Removing the floss in an up or down motion will result in the loss and/or damage of your temporary crown.
-The temporary crown or bridge protects your tooth while also holding the space for your permanent crown or bridge. If it needs to be recemented or repaired, please contact our office during business hours and we will be pleased to do so.
-If your temporary crown becomes uncemented over the weekend or while you are out of town> you can Purchase Fixodent from a drugstore to cement the temporary back. Be sure to clean all previously left over cement remaining in the temporary crown and try it in first to make sure it seats back correctly, then place a small amount of Fixodent (over the counter temporary cement works as well) to recement the crown back. Make sure you don’t leave any excess on your gums afterwards.
-If the gums around the temporary crown become sensitive or sore> Rinse 4 times a day with a warm salt water solution (1tsp salt to 1cup water). If you need an immediate local relief, you may purchase Orajel or Anbesol to dab around the gums.
Finally, please bear in mind that your temporary crown or bridge that was placed on your tooth is an important step toward restoring your tooth back to normal, Please keep the temporary crown in your mouth at all times. Teeth may shift without it, and the permanent crown may not fit!
Dr. Mustafa Alani 