A temporary crown is essentially just a placeholder for a permanent crown, protecting the space and the prepared tooth until the permanent crown can be installed. Temporary crowns are generally made out of acrylic or composite resin, both of which are relatively easy to work with and can be shaped to fit the prepared tooth perfectly. Temporary crowns can become damaged or break during the weeks in which they are in place, in the event of which it is best to take appropriate measures to ensure your oral health is maintained and further damage avoided.
Here’s what to do if you find yourself with a broken temporary crown:
Contact Your Dentist
The first step in any dental emergency is to contact your dentist. Our Gainesville dental clinic provides 24/7 emergency support for patients, and we recommend getting in touch with your dentist as soon as possible if you notice damage to your temporary crown. They will likely offer to see the patient for an emergency dental visit, to assess the level of damage and advise on the best course of action.
Examine the Crown
It is important to take a close look at the broken crown, to determine the cause and the nature of the damage. Depending on how the crown broke, different options will be available to repair or replace it. A common cause of temporary crowns breaking is due to biting and chewing on hard or crunchy foods, or excessive force when brushing the teeth. It’s important for patients to take care and avoid using excessive forces with their temporary crown, to safeguard it from breaking.
Avoid Chewing on the Affected Tooth
While waiting for a dentist appointment or prior to getting your crown repaired, avoiding chewing on the affected tooth can help to prevent further damage or irritation. Temporary crowns are not as strong as permanent crowns, and therefore the more we can protect them from further damage the better.
Protect the Tooth
If the temporary crown is completely dislodged, it’s important to protect the tooth as much as possible while waiting for a new cementation. Cover the tooth with temporary cement or adhesive while waiting for your dentist appointment. Over the counter temporary cement can be found at most drugstores and pharmacies.
Do Not Attempt to Fix the Crown Yourself
While it may be tempting to try and fix a broken temporary crown yourself, it is important to allow a dental professional to fully evaluate the damage. Attempting to fix the crown yourself can lead to further damage, and possibly cause infections. Letting a dentist manage the issue will ensure that the crown is professionally repaired or replaced and that your oral health is in safe hands.
Conclusion
A broken or damaged temporary crown can be concerning, but there is no need to panic. Contacting your dentist is the best course of action, followed by careful examination and protection of the tooth until it can be repaired or replaced. Remember to avoid chewing on the affected tooth and resist the temptation to try and fix the crown yourself. Your dentist will be able to offer you the best advice for your situation and restore your oral health to its full strength.
FAQ
Is it OK if temporary crown breaks?
A temporary dental crown is typically placed when a dentist needs to prepare a tooth for a permanent crown. The purpose of a temporary crown is to protect the tooth and keep it in place until the permanent crown is ready to be placed. However, in some cases, the temporary crown may become damaged, cracked, or even fall out entirely before the permanent crown is placed, leaving the underlying tooth exposed and vulnerable.
If you find yourself in this situation, it’s essential to contact your dentist as soon as possible. Leaving the underlying tooth exposed can expose it to bacteria, food debris, and other harmful substances that can compromise the integrity of the tooth. In some cases, the tooth may even become infected or damaged to the point where it needs to be extracted.
When you contact your dentist, they will advise you on what to do next. In some cases, they may recommend that you come in for an emergency appointment so that they can replace the temporary crown. If the damage is minimal and the tooth is still in good condition, your dentist may be able to cement the temporary crown back in place.
However, in some cases, the temporary crown may be too damaged to repair, meaning that a new temporary crown will need to be made. This process may take several days, during which time you’ll need to be careful about what you eat, how you brush your teeth and how you protect the underlying tooth until the new temporary crown is in place.
While it’s not ideal to have a temporary crown break or fall out, the good news is that it can be repaired or replaced relatively easily in most cases. The most important thing is to contact your dentist as soon as possible when the problem arises, so they can take appropriate action to protect your underlying tooth.
How long can I go without my temporary crown?
When a tooth is prepared for a permanent crown placement, a temporary crown is usually put in place to protect the tooth until the final crown is ready. Temporary crowns are made of plastic or resin material that is not as sturdy as the final crown, but it helps keep the tooth safe from further damage and sensitivity while the final crown is being prepared. While temporary crowns are designed to stay in place until the final crown is ready, there are times when they might come off or get damaged before that.
If you are wondering how long you can go without your temporary crown, then the short answer is that a tooth can survive for several weeks without a crown. However, this is not advisable as your teeth remain exposed, which could make your teeth sensitive to hot or cold temperatures and cause further damage. In the meantime, you may need to be careful not to bite or chew on the affected tooth until you get a new temporary or permanent crown in place.
If your temporary crown did come off or get damaged and you are having trouble finding an emergency dentist, there are a few things you can do to help relieve any discomfort and protect the tooth until you can see your dentist. These include:
1. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to help keep the area clean and prevent infection.
2. If you are experiencing any pain, you can take over-the-counter pain medication to manage the discomfort.
3. If you can, you should avoid eating or drinking anything that is too hot or cold, as your tooth will be more sensitive without the temporary crown.
4. You could also try temporary dental cement or adhesive to help hold the crown in place until you can see the dentist.
While temporary crowns are not meant to last forever, they are an essential part of protecting your teeth while your final crown is prepared. If you need a temporary crown replacement or have any concerns about your dental health, you should speak to your dentist or dental professional as soon as possible.
Is losing a temporary crown an emergency?
Losing a temporary crown is a situation that can cause panic and worry, but rest assured, it is not considered a dental emergency. Although it is important to handle the situation promptly, losing a temporary crown is not a cause for alarm, as long as you receive the necessary treatment in a timely manner.
Temporary crowns are typically placed over the tooth after a tooth preparation procedure until the permanent crown is ready. These temporary crowns are designed to protect the tooth from sensitivity and discomfort, as well as to maintain the space created by the tooth preparation process.
You may lose a temporary crown due to various reasons:
– Eating hard or sticky foods
– Using your teeth to open packages, etc.
– Brushing or flossing too vigorously.
In the event of losing a temporary crown, it is important to schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible, usually within two weeks. It is vital to have a temporary crown replaced before any surrounding teeth start to shift around due to the empty space left by the missing tooth.
The longer you wait to have a temporary crown reinstalled, the more difficult it will be for your dentist to reattach it, and in some cases, they may need to create a new crown altogether. So you should not delay in seeking dental care to replace a lost temporary crown.
While it can be alarming to lose a temporary crown, it is not considered an emergency situation, and your dentist can usually provide a suitable solution quickly. Ensure that you seek appropriate dental care as soon as possible to prevent further complications and to ensure that the treatment is effective, and your dental health is maintained.
