Understanding Temporary Crowns
by Christy Long
If you have a chipped or broken tooth, then you will likely require a dental crown to repair it. Before the permanent crown is secured, a temporary one is affixed. If you want to know more about the temporary crown, what it is, and how you should treat it, keep reading.
What Is A Temporary Crown?
A temporary crown is exactly what it sounds like. It is a temporary device that sits on a tooth as you wait for your permanent tooth covering to be created. This crown is added to your tooth after a root canal is performed and the tooth is shaped and molded. When this happens, the dentin is exposed and the temporary crown is used to protect the tooth.
A temporary crown is formed using a mold of the tooth and it is made from a material like acrylic or stainless steel. They are made right in the dental office and they are often not an exact fit for your tooth. Also, the temporary crown is not nearly as strong as the finished porcelain one. This means that it may have a slightly loose fit and it may not remain strong against hard foods and strong bites. After all, the crown is temporary and even though some people choose to leave temporary crowns in place far longer than they should, this is rarely a good choice for your overall dental health.
How Do You Treat Crowns?
Since the dental crown is temporary and not made to withstand a great deal of wear and tear, you should watch the foods that you eat. Do not eat extremely hard foods and do not chew on non-food items like pen caps. Also, the crown will be secured with an adhesive that can be easily released, so chewy items can easily pull the crown off your tooth. They should be avoided as well.
While you do need to be careful about your diet, you should clean the crown like you would your natural tooth. Use toothpaste and dental floss and make sure to clean around and underneath the lip of the crown. A slight space may sit along this lip due to the loose fitting nature of the crown, so consider using a device like a water flosser to clean underneath it. Rinses can work well for cleaning as well.
If you want to know more about temporary dental crowns, then speak with your local dental professional.
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About Me
I was very unhappy with the way that my front teeth looked. They were crooked and stained with an ugly yellow tint. I asked my dentist if there was anything that could be done to improve them. After discussing the options with my dentist, I decided to have crowns put on my front teeth. The procedure was painless and I wish that I had done it sooner. My name is Constance Graham and I am writing this blog to inform others about cosmetic dentistry. If you don’t like the way your teeth look, speak to your dentist about improving your smile. There are various cosmetic procedures that you can have done such as veneers, crowns, teeth whitening, and dental implants. I hope you use the information in this blog to learn more about cosmetic dentistry and how it can help you.