Congratulations on taking a big step toward a restored smile! Whether you’ve just received a temporary crown or bridge, you are well on your way to better oral function and aesthetics. At Pearl Dental, we want to ensure your recovery is as smooth as possible. While the procedure happens in our chair, the healing happens in yours.
Proper aftercare is essential for protecting your investment and ensuring your final restoration fits perfectly. This guide will walk you through exactly what to expect, from navigating life with a temporary restoration to managing sensitivity.
Living with Your Temporary Restoration
After we prepare your tooth, we place a temporary crown or bridge. Think of this as a placeholder. It isn’t just cosmetic; it serves a crucial purpose. It protects the prepared tooth—which can be quite sensitive—from temperature extremes and bacteria. Perhaps even more importantly, it holds the space for your permanent restoration. Without it, your surrounding teeth could shift, causing your final custom-made crown or bridge to fit poorly.
Immediately after your appointment, your lips, tongue, and the roof of your mouth will likely feel numb due to the anesthetic. This can make eating tricky. We strongly recommend you refrain from eating or drinking hot beverages until the numbness has completely worn off. This prevents accidental bites to your cheek or tongue and avoids burning your mouth without realizing it.
The First 24 Hours: Dietary Recommendations
Your temporary restoration is held in place with temporary cement. This cement is designed to be weak enough for us to remove easily when your permanent crown is ready, but strong enough to hold for a few weeks—if you are careful.
For the first 24 hours, you should stick to a soft food diet. Hard, crunchy, or sticky foods are the enemies of temporary crowns. They can crack the material or pull the restoration right off the tooth.
Safe Foods to Enjoy:
- Dairy & Soft Proteins: Greek yogurt, scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, and finely chopped chicken.
- Comfort Foods: Mashed potatoes, macaroni & cheese, and oatmeal.
- Cool Treats: Ice cream, pudding, Jell-O, and applesauce.
- Liquids: Cooled soups (avoid anything piping hot while numb) and smoothies.
Foods to Avoid:
- Sticky candies like caramel or taffy.
- Hard nuts, ice, or crunchy chips.
- Chewy breads or bagels.
If your temporary crown is on a front tooth, be extra mindful. Do not bite directly into foods like apples or sandwiches. Instead, cut your food into small, bite-sized pieces and chew primarily with your back teeth to reduce pressure on the temporary.
Keeping It Clean: Oral Hygiene Tips
You might be hesitant to brush around your new temporary crown, but keeping the area clean is vital for gum health. You should continue to brush regularly, but be gentle around the gum line of the treated tooth.
Flossing requires a specific technique during this interim period. Normally, you pop the floss in and pull it back up. However, pulling up can catch the edge of the temporary crown and dislodge it.
The “Slide” Technique:
- Gently insert the floss between your teeth.
- Clean the area as usual.
- Instead of pulling the floss back up, release one end and pull it out through the side.
This simple adjustment ensures you remove plaque without removing your crown!
Managing Sensitivity and Discomfort
It is completely normal to experience some sensitivity to temperature and pressure after your procedure. Your tooth has undergone a significant change, and the nerve inside may be temporarily inflamed.
If your gums feel tender around the temporary crown, a warm saltwater rinse can work wonders. Mix ½ teaspoon of salt into ½ cup of warm water and rinse your mouth gently four times a day. This helps reduce inflammation and keeps the tissue healthy.
For general discomfort, over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen is usually sufficient. Most sensitivity subsides within a few weeks after the permanent restoration is placed and the tooth settles down.
What If the Temporary Comes Off?
Despite your best efforts, a temporary crown may occasionally come loose, break, or fall off. If this happens, please do not panic, but do not ignore it.
Because the temporary holds the space for your permanent tooth, leaving it off can cause your teeth to shift. If this happens, your final crown may not fit, requiring a new impression and delaying your treatment.
Contact Pearl Dental immediately if your temporary needs recementing or repair. We will happily get you back in to fix it.
When to Contact Pearl Dental
Most patients recover with zero issues, but it helps to know the warning signs. Please contact our office if:
- Pain increases: If discomfort turns into sharp pain or gets progressively worse instead of better.
- Uneven bite: Once the numbness wears off, if your bite feels “high” or uneven, let us know so we can adjust it.
- Loss of temporary: As mentioned, if the temporary falls out, call us right away.
At Pearl Dental, your comfort and long-term oral health are our priorities. By following these simple instructions, you are setting the stage for a successful, beautiful smile restoration.