After forming the abutment that will later secure your permanent crown, your Kirkwood Dental dentist cemented a temporary crown in place. It’s worth noting that the hard plastic cap of your temporary crown is only meant to protect the abutment for a short time, while the dental lab is busy custom making your final permanent crown.
You need to always keep in mind that the temporary crown does not fully restore the full function of the tooth. If your temporary crown is damaged or falls off it could seriously damage the abutment leading to serious complications. Taking that into consideration, there are a few basic tips to keep in mind to help you take good care of your temporary crown.
It’s best to avoid eating sticky foods or chewing gum, as this has the potential to pull the temporary crown loose. You should also avoid biting down on hard or crunchy foods, as it could actually crack the plastic cap and significantly damage the abutment inside.
It’s important that you continue to brush and floss twice a day. This includes brushing and flossing around your temporary crown. Healthy gums will help ensure that your permanent crown will fit comfortably in place. If you’re having issues flossing the area, you might want to try using waxed floss. The waxy coating tends to allow the strand to slip between teeth and around the temporary crown easily.
If for some reason your temporary crown becomes loose, is damaged, or falls out, you need to call Kirkwood Dental immediately to set up an appointment to have the problem addressed.