Bridges and Crowns
Post-Operative Care
You have just had a crown or fixed bridge cemented onto your teeth. They will replace your missing tooth structure or missing teeth very well, and they should provide you with years of service, if you will observe the following suggestions:
- Chewing: Do not chew hard foods on the restorations for 24 hours from the time they were cemented. The cement must mature for up to 24 hours to have optimum strength.
- Sensitivity: It is normal for the tooth to be a bit sensitive to hot and cold for up to six weeks. If sensitivity lasts longer than six weeks, please call our office.
- Aggressive Chewing: Do not chew ice or other hard objects. Avoid chewing very sticky foods such as “hard tack” candies and caramels because they can remove restorations.
- Preventative Procedures: To provide optimum longevity for your restorations and prevent future dental decay and supporting tissue breakdown, please brush and floss your teeth after eating and before bedtime. Use a floss threader for flossing around the bridge or crown.
- Visit us for regular six-month examinations. Often, small problems that are developing around the restorations can be found at an early stage and corrected easily, but waiting for a longer time may require redoing the entire restoration. Inadequate return for professional examinations is the most significant reason for restoration failure.
We will contact you when it is time for your six-month check-up. - Problems: If any of the following conditions occur, contact us immediately to avoid further problems.
- Movement or looseness in the restoration
- Sensitivity to sweet foods
- A peculiar taste from the restoration site
- Breakage of a piece of material from the restoration
- Sensitivity to pressure
We have done our best to provide you with the finest quality of oral restoration available today. However, only your continuing excellent oral hygiene and professional check-ups can ensure optimum service longevity.
If you have any questions, please call our office.