Temporary Crowns: What They Are, How to Care for Them, and When to Call

When a dental crown is made in a laboratory, there is usually a gap of days or weeks between preparing the tooth and placing the final crown. During that time, many people wear a temporary crown. It is a modest, short-term restoration, but how it is treated can affect comfort and the condition of the tooth when the permanent crown is ready.

This guide is general educational information, not individualized advice. Instructions vary with the tooth, the materials used, and the treatment plan, so the directions given by your own dental team should always take priority over anything here.

What a temporary crown does

To fit a crown, a dentist typically reshapes the tooth, removing a layer of its outer surface. The prepared tooth can be sensitive and more vulnerable than before. A temporary crown, often made from acrylic or a similar resin, covers it in the meantime. As MedlinePlus describes, a temporary crown protects the tooth while the permanent one is being made.

In general terms, it serves several purposes:

• Covering exposed tooth structure, which can reduce sensitivity.
• Helping keep neighboring and opposing teeth from shifting, so the final crown still fits.
• Protecting the gum around the tooth and supporting normal appearance and chewing.

Some offices make crowns in a single visit using in-office milling, in which case no temporary may be needed. Whether a temporary is used depends on the approach your dental team chooses.

How temporaries differ from permanent crowns

Temporary crowns are deliberately designed to come off. They are usually held with a softer, temporary cement so the dentist can remove them easily later. The material is also generally less strong and less wear-resistant than the porcelain, ceramic, or metal used for a permanent crown. Color and shape may be a close approximation rather than an exact match. These are normal features of a short-term restoration, not signs of a problem.

Everyday care

Common general recommendations, which your own dental team may adjust, include:

• Chew carefully. Favor the other side of the mouth where practical, especially for the first day.
• Avoid sticky and very hard foods. Caramel, chewing gum, taffy, hard candy, ice, and crusty or very chewy foods can loosen or crack a temporary.
• Keep brushing. Brush gently around the temporary twice daily with fluoride toothpaste. Plaque can still build up at the gumline.
• Floss with care. Many teams suggest sliding floss out sideways between the teeth rather than lifting it back up, which can catch the edge of the crown and pull it off.
• Mention grinding or clenching. If you grind your teeth, especially at night, tell your dental team, since added force can break a temporary.

What sensations are common

Some sensitivity to temperature, mild gum tenderness, or a slight awareness of the new shape is commonly reported in the first days after a tooth is prepared. These often settle. What is less expected, and worth reporting, is pain that is severe, worsening, throbbing, or keeping you awake; swelling of the gum or face; or a bite that feels high, meaning the crowned tooth hits first when you close.

A bite that feels uneven should be checked rather than tolerated. Persistent pressure on one tooth can cause soreness and may affect the tooth or jaw.

If the temporary crown loosens or comes off

This happens fairly often and is not usually an emergency, but it should not be ignored. The prepared tooth underneath can be sensitive, can shift, and can be damaged without its covering. General steps include:

• Keep the temporary crown if you can, and contact the dental office for advice.
• Avoid chewing on the uncovered tooth and keep the area clean.
• Ask the office whether temporary re-seating with an over-the-counter dental cement is appropriate in your situation. Household glues are not designed for use in the mouth and should not be used.
• If a piece breaks off or the crown is swallowed, let the office know. Seek medical help right away if there is any coughing, choking, or difficulty breathing.

How long a temporary is meant to last

A temporary crown is designed for the interval between appointments, commonly a few weeks. It is not intended to function as a long-term restoration. If an appointment for the permanent crown is postponed, ask the office whether the temporary needs to be checked or replaced, since temporary materials and cements can break down over time and allow leakage or decay at the edges.

At the permanent crown appointment

In broad terms, the temporary is removed, the tooth is cleaned, and the permanent crown is tried in so that fit, contacts with neighboring teeth, bite, and appearance can be checked before it is cemented or bonded. It is a reasonable time to mention anything you noticed while wearing the temporary, such as sensitivity or bite discomfort.

Questions you might ask your dental team

• How long should I expect to wear this temporary crown?
• Which foods should I avoid, and is flossing in a particular way recommended?
• What should I do if it comes off outside office hours?
• What symptoms would you want me to report right away?

The bottom line

A temporary crown is a short-term protective cover. Gentle chewing, avoiding sticky and hard foods, careful cleaning, and contacting the office promptly if it loosens or causes significant discomfort all help keep the tooth in good condition until the permanent crown is placed.

This article provides general educational information only and does not replace instructions or advice from a licensed dentist. No clinical services are offered through this website.