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Caring Tips for Temporary Crowns When your smile needs repair, your dentist has many different options available to help you look your best. Among these options is the dental crown, a tooth-shaped cap used to cover your natural tooth, restoring the shape, size, appearance, and strength of a tooth that has been damaged. Dental crowns can sometimes be placed in a single visit, but in some cases, it can take a few weeks for your permanent dental crown to be made in the lab. In that case, your dentist may fit you with a temporary dental crown until your permanent crown is ready. Because they are not as sturdy as permanent crowns, it’s important to know how to care for a temporary crown.

When Do You Need a Temporary Crown?

There are many different reasons you might need a dental crown. Used to protect and restore a damaged tooth, crowns protect weak teeth from decay, replace a broken tooth, cover a filling, keep a dental bridge in place, or cover teeth that are discoloured or have an otherwise unpleasant appearance. Dental crowns are also used to cover a tooth that has had a root canal. Because a permanent crown is custom made for your mouth, it can take a few weeks to be ready. Your dentist will put a temporary crown in place to protect the natural tooth and gums, fill in a gap in your smile, limit sensitivity or pain, help your teeth retain the proper spacing, allow you to chew and eat normally, and help the dentist ensure that the permanent crown will function properly.

How Long Do You Keep a Temporary Crown?

The amount of time that your temporary crown stays in your mouth can vary, based on your treatment plan. No temporary crown is used for very long since they are not meant for long-term use. Generally, the temporary crown will remain in place for two to three weeks, but this depends on the extent of the necessary dental work. If you are getting implants, for example, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months for the bone to heal enough to allow the placement of a permanent crown.

What Are Temporary Dental Crowns Made Of?

Temporary crowns are not made to last, because they are only needed for short-term use. While permanent crowns are made of sturdy materials, temporary dental crowns are made of relatively weak acrylic or metallic materials. They’re fitted to your tooth with a temporary cement that’s not designed to last, so the temporary crown should be removed in two to three weeks. While it is in your mouth, though, it will resemble your natural teeth.

How Do You Care for Temporary Dental Crowns?

The first step in temporary crown care is to be very careful when cleaning it. Brush gently, and slide the floss gently in and out, rather than pulling it down. Temporary crowns, like natural teeth and permanent crowns, need to be kept clean, but by taking care to be gentle with your temporary crown, you can avoid dislodging it. Another part of after care for a temporary crown is being careful when you eat. Chew gently and avoid tough, hard, sticky, or crunchy foods. Steer clear of very hot or cold liquids, as these can affect the adhesive holding your temporary crown in place, and don’t consume sweet foods and drinks because this can cause decay between the temporary crown and the gumline.

What If the Temporary Crown Falls Off?

Sometimes, despite your best effort, a temporary crown can become loose or slip out of place. If this happens to you, call your dentist as soon as possible to make an appointment to reglue or replace it. It is very important to act promptly because if the space in your mouth is left empty, the tooth or gum under the crown can become infected or damaged. Additionally, a missing crown throws off your bite, and this can cause issues with your permanent crown.

A Dentist You Can Trust

If you have any questions or concerns about your temporary crown, the team at Smile n Shine is happy to address them. At Smile n Shine, we have been creating beautiful smiles for the last 70 years. Previously known as Cousins Dental Practice, we’re one of the oldest dental practices in the Newbury Town Centre, and our practice is conveniently located, easily accessible by bus and railway. Recently, our practice has had a makeover, focusing primarily on providing our patients with new, well-equipped treatment rooms, as well as a pleasant ambience. Our team has the experience, artistic skills, and education necessary to give you a healthy mouth and a confident smile, positively altering the way you look and feel about yourself. Our dentists and nurses are governed by the General Dental Council and the practice as a whole by the Care Quality Commission, and we take great care of all the Personal Data we hold, to ensure we comply with best professional practices and with the law. Our makeover has upgraded our ambiance, but we have also added new services, extending our patient care to include Invisalign, Smile fast veneers, Aligners, Implants, Facial Aesthetics, and intravenous sedation, in addition to the conservative, preventative, and cosmetic services we have always provided. Smile n Shine offers UK’s leading dental payment plan, Denplan Essential, Denplan Kids and Denplan Care, and we have recently introduced a 0% interest-free finance option at our practice. We take part in clinical governance and have quality assurance systems in place to help maintain our high quality of patient care and we are always delighted to welcome new families into our practice. To learn more about all we have to offer or to make an appointment, call 0163543170 or contact us through our website.