Temporary Crown Post-Operative Instructions

You have just received a temporary restoration at Hutchinson Family Dental. It typically takes 2 weeks before we can place your permanent crown or bridge. Please follow these instructions to minimize the chance of post-operative discomfort, dislodging or breaking the temporary restoration:

• Avoid eating sticky foods such as gum, caramel, hard candy, etc.…
• Do not floss the area around your temporary crown. Should you feel it necessary to do so, carefully slide the floss between your teeth and then pull it out from one end. Do not pull the floss up as it can cause the temporary crown to come loose or to be damaged.
• Your temporary restoration plays an important role in protecting your tooth and holding the space for your permanent crown or bridge.  Should it need to  be recemented or become damaged, please call or visit our office during business hours and we will be happy to recement it.
• Should your temporary become uncemented on the weekend or while you are out of town, purchase temporary dental cement from a drugstore. Remove any cement left in the temporary and replace it with a “teardrop” amount of cement.  Do not leave any cement on your gums.
• It is normal to have significant changes in response to temperature and soreness after dental restorations.  This typically subsides within a few days but may take up to a few weeks.  If your pain gets progressively worse or is causing more than mild discomfort, please call our office.
• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) is very effective for dental pain. Two to four tablets (200 mg each) may be taken three times a day for the next 3-4 days to help control the sensitivity in this area.
• Should the gums around the temporary crown become sensitive, rinse 4 times a day with a warm saltwater solution (1 tsp salt to 1 cup water).

If you have any additional questions, please call our office at 620-663-9119.