A beautiful smile enhances your personality, but certain dental issues can affect it, prompting the need for restorative procedures like a dental crown. A dental crown procedure involves fixing a cap over the natural tooth to improve its function, shape, and overall appearance. The crowns can either be temporary or permanent. During a dental procedure, a temporary crown is usually placed over the prepared tooth. This protects your natural tooth from further decay until the new or permanent crown is ready.
While you have a temporary dental crown placed, taking proper care and precautions is vital to ensure its longevity. If you are wondering how to take care of the crown or why it is essential in the first place, this article is for you. In this article, we will learn why dental crowns require special care and how you can take care of them. Let us have a look.
Why Do You Need a Dental Temporary Crown?
Before understanding the care and precautions, let us first briefly discuss temporary crowns. As mentioned earlier, a temporary crown is generally placed over a prepared tooth during a dental crown procedure. A temporary crown protects your teeth from additional damage until the permanent crown is ready to be placed. You can consider this crown a transition period between the preparation of the tooth and the permanent crown’s placement. This temporary crown can be made of acrylic or resin to match the shape and size of your natural teeth.
What are the Common Problems with Temporary Dental Crowns?
While temporary crowns are usually durable, some patients may experience problems. The common issues that can occur with temporary crowns include:
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Crown Fracture
At times, a temporary crown may fracture or suddenly crack due to biting on hard food. Although this rarely happens, taking necessary precautions and avoiding eating hard foods is vital. In addition, if the crown cracks, contact your dentist in Blaine, MN immediately.
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Crown Decay
Like a natural tooth, a temporary dental crown is also prone to decay. Over time, plaque can accumulate around the crown’s edges, leading to gum disease or decay. Hence, practice good oral hygiene and clean your crown with floss.
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Crown Dislodgement
The temporary dental crown may also become dislodged due to biting too hard or eating sticky foods. If you notice a sudden shift in the crown, clean the area and try to place it back onto the tooth. If not, contact your dentist immediately.
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Crown Sensitivity
Several patients may also experience sensitivity or discomfort around the temporary crown. This sensitivity is caused due to exposure of tooth roots or nerves to the crown. You can manage this at home by desensitizing toothpaste or avoiding hot or cold foods. However, if the sensitivity persists, contact your dentist.
How to Take Care of Temporary Dental Crown?
Proper care of a temporary dental crown helps protect your tooth and ensures the crown stays in place. Follow these dos and don’ts to maintain your crown:
Dos of Specialized Care:
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Exercise Good Oral Hygiene
Ensure you maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing your teeth regularly to prevent plaque from building up around the temporary crown.
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Brush Gently
Refrain from over brush. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean the temporary crown and the area around it gently.
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Eat Sensibly
Eating hard and sticky foods can damage the temporary crown and even dislodge it in extreme cases. Hence, make sure to eat soft foods that are easy to chew and do not put much pressure on your teeth and the crown.
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Eat With the Other Side of Your Mouth
If you are used to biting hard or are forgetful, you can eat or chew on the opposite side of your mouth to avoid putting pressure on the crown.
Don’ts of Specialized Care:
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Do not Chew Hard Foods
Chewing on hard or sticky foods can damage the crown and become dislodged.
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Do not Floss Directly on The Temporary Dental Crown.
Using the floss directly can also damage the crown. Hence, use a floss threader and clean the area around the temporary crown without pulling it.
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Do Not Avoid Dental Hygiene
Avoiding oral hygiene can cause plaque to build up and lead to gum disease. Hence, make sure that you follow oral hygiene religiously to keep your teeth safe and healthy.
Takeaway
A temporary dental crown protects your prepared tooth until the new and permanent crown is ready. This transition phase is critical to safeguard your teeth from further decay or damage. Following your dentist’s instructions, maintaining oral hygiene, and avoiding certain foods can help ensure a smooth process.
Get Expert Care at University Ave Dental!
Whether you have a temporary crown or are considering one, our dentists at University Ave Dental can help you with both.
Contact us today at (763)-784-1242 or schedule an appointment for expert guidance. You can also visit us at 10155 University Ave NE Suite #112, Blaine, MN, for personalized care.
