SERVICES / Home Care Instructions

Temporary Crown: Home Care Instructions

General Instructions

When an anesthetic has been used, your lips and tongue may be numb for several hours after the appointment. Avoid any chewing and hot beverages until the numbness has completely worn off. It is very easy to bite or burn your tongue or lips while you are numb.

If Temporary Crown Comes Off or Breaks
  • Temporary crowns are designed to be removed.
  • If the temporary comes off before your appointment, place the temporary back on the tooth with a small amount of Vaseline. This will give some retention until it can be re-cemented. Call our office to schedule an appointment.
  • Do NOT use any of your own cement or glue. We use special cement, designed to remove the temporary without damaging the tooth.
  • It is very important to put the temporary back on. This will keep the other teeth from moving, which could prevent the permanent crown from fitting.
  • If your temporary should break, please call the office and we will make a new one for you.
Sensitivity
  • If your temporary is sensitive to biting or chewing, please call us! Your temporary may be too high compared to the rest of your teeth. The temporary will not adjust itself due to the acrylic material it is made from.
In addition, please:
  • Chew food on the opposite side of your mouth from the dental work
  • Avoid sticky food
  • Brush teeth as normal
  • When flossing, push the floss in between the teeth as normal. However, do not pull floss back out! This may dislodge the temporary. Instead, pull the floss out to the side, like threading a needle.
  • If the tissue is sensitive around the temporary, rinsing the mouth with warm salt water may help.