After Crown and Bridge

After a Crown Preparation

There are many reasons to have a tooth (or teeth) prepared for a crown(s).  The tooth may have a large amalgam or composite (white) restoration (filling) that is failing or has recurrent decay. The tooth may have cracks that may be a result of excessive forces or stresses. The tooth may have had a root canal and so is now more likely to be brittle and fracture. Or, you may have a crown fabricated to improve the appearance of an unaesthetic tooth.  Whatever the reason, a crown is a significant restoration for a tooth and there are some precautions to take just after the procedure and while you have a temporary crown.

• Immediately after the procedure, you should wait to eat until the anesthesia has completely worn off. Otherwise, you risk biting your cheek or your tongue as the area of your mouth that has been anesthetized does not have normal feeling.
• Your tooth may be a bit tender for a few hours or a day or two after the procedure. This is normal. If you feel you need to, you can take aspirin, Tylenol (acetaminophen) or ibuprofen for the discomfort.  If the tooth is still uncomfortable, or frankly painful, a few days after the procedure, please call Dr. Forman/Fontillas to let us know. We may need to make some adjustments to the temporary crown to help the tooth settle down.
• Your gums may be sore a few hours or up to a day after your appointment. This is normal. Warm salty water or tepid tea can help the gums heal after the procedure.
• Avoid eating the first bite of harder foods such as nuts or raw carrots with the temporary crown. The plastic of the temporary crown could fracture.
• The tooth with the temporary crown may be tender to chewing harder foods such as nuts, or raw carrots or meat. As long as the discomfort is only present while chewing with the temporary crown and does not persist, the tooth is responding normally. The temporary crown is made of plastic that is slightly flexible. When chewing harder foods, the temporary crown may move across the tooth slightly, stimulating the nerves of the tooth.
• Be careful when flossing around the temporary crown. We recommend flossing toward the gum line around the temporized tooth and then pulling the floss through to avoid snagging the edge of the temporary crown and dislodging it.
• In general, avoid eating sticky foods such as caramels or chewing gum on the temporary crown as these may pull the temporary off the underlying tooth.
• If the temporary crown should come out for any reason, try to gently put it back on the tooth and contact the office at your earliest convenience. In general, the widest side of the temporary crown faces your cheek. If you cannot replace the temporary or if it is broken, please call the office so we can recement it or remake the temporary. The temporary crown is important not only in protecting the underlying tooth but it helps keep the prepared tooth and the surrounding teeth from drifting/moving. If the temporary is off the tooth for too long, the new final crown may not fit.

We hope this sheet answers most your concerns regarding your crown preparation and temporary crown.  If you have any further questions, please feel free to call us.