Temporary Crowns and Bridges Post-Operative Care

You have just received a temporary restoration. It typically takes 2-3 weeks before we can place your permanent crown or bridge. Please follow these instructions until that time.

1. Avoid eating sticky foods such as gum, caramel, hard candy, etc…

2. Do not floss the area around your temporary crown. Should you feel it necessary to do so, carefully slide the floss between your teeth and then pull it out from one end. Do not pull the floss up as it can cause the temporary crown to come loose or to be damaged.

3. Your temporary plays an important role in protecting your tooth and holding the space for your permanent crown or bridge.  Should it need recementing or become damaged, please call or visit our office during business hours and we will be happy to recement it.

4. Should your temporary become uncemented on the weekend or while you are out of town, purchase temporary dental cement from a drugstore. Remove any cement left in the temporary and replace it with a “teardrop” amount of cement.  Do not leave any cement on your gums.

5. It is normal to have significant changes in response to temperature and soreness after dental restorations.  This should subside within a few days and in some cases weeks.  If your pain gets progressively worse or is causing more than mild discomfort, please call our office.

6. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) is very effective for dental pain. Two to four tablets (200 mg) may be taken three times a day for the next 3-4 days (if needed) to help control the sensitivity in this area.

7. Should the gums around crown temporary crown become sensitive, rinse 4 times a day with a warm salt water solution (½ tsp salt to ½ cup water).

If you have any questions, please call our office.