Getting a dental crown is a two-appointment process for most patients. Between your first visit, where the tooth is prepared, and the impressions are taken, and your second visit, where the permanent crown is placed, you will be wearing a temporary crown. That gap is usually one to two weeks. Following our Temporary Crown Care Guide will help ensure the best outcome.
Temporary crown care matters more than most patients realize. The temporary is not as strong as your permanent crown. It is held in place with a weaker dental cement by design, so it can be removed easily at your next appointment. That also means it is more vulnerable to damage, loosening, and coming off entirely if you are not careful.
At Hollywood Family Dentistry in Portland, we give every patient a thorough rundown before they leave with a temporary crown. This guide covers all of it so you have a clear reference to come back to.
This Temporary Crown Care Guide is designed to help you navigate the important steps in taking care of your temporary crown.
What Is a Temporary Crown and Why Does It Matter?
A temporary crown is a short-term restoration placed over a prepared tooth while the permanent crown is being custom-made in a dental lab. It protects the tooth from sensitivity, damage, and bacterial exposure for one to two weeks. Proper temporary crown care during this period is essential to avoid complications before your permanent crown is placed.
When your dentist prepares a tooth for a dental crown, a significant amount of the outer enamel is removed to create space for the crown to fit over the top. That leaves the underlying tooth structure exposed and vulnerable. The temporary crown serves as a protective shell during the waiting period.
It is typically made from acrylic or composite resin and fabricated either chairside during your appointment or from a pre-made form. It is functional but not built to last. Treating it with care for the one to two weeks it is in your mouth makes a significant difference to the overall outcome of your treatment.
What to Eat With a Temporary Crown
Diet is the biggest factor in keeping your temporary crown intact. The cement holding it in place is much weaker than the permanent cement that will be used for your final crown, and certain foods put that bond under significant stress.
Stick to soft foods throughout the one to two week period. Good choices include scrambled eggs, yogurt, soft-cooked vegetables, mashed potatoes, fish, pasta, soups, and smoothies. These require minimal chewing force and pose no risk to the temporary crown.
Whenever possible, chew on the opposite side of your mouth from where the temporary crown is located. This significantly reduces the pressure placed on the restoration and is one of the simplest and most effective protective habits you can develop during this period.
Temperature is also worth managing. The prepared tooth underneath a temporary crown can be sensitive to very hot or very cold foods and drinks. Lukewarm water, room temperature foods, and avoiding extremes will keep discomfort to a minimum.
Foods and Habits to Avoid With a Temporary Crown
There is a clear list of things that commonly dislodge or damage temporary crowns. Avoiding them for a short period protects the work that has already been done and keeps you comfortable until the permanent crown is placed.
Sticky foods are the most common culprit. Caramel, toffee, chewing gum, gummy candies, and even some dried fruits like dates and dried mangoes can grip the temporary crown and pull it off with a single bite. Avoid all sticky foods entirely during this period without exception.
Hard foods are the second major risk. Nuts, hard candies, crusty bread, raw carrots, ice, and anything that requires significant bite force can crack or dislodge the temporary. If you have to bite down hard, that food is off limits for now.
Crunchy snack foods like chips, popcorn, and crackers may seem harmless but they generate more bite force and debris than they appear to. Skip them for the short window the temporary is in place.
If you habitually chew on pens, bite your nails, or clench your jaw during the day, try to be mindful of these habits during this period. Any repetitive pressure on the temporary crown adds up over time.
How to Brush and Floss Around a Temporary Crown
Keeping the area clean is just as important as watching what you eat. Bacteria that accumulate around the margin of the temporary crown can affect the health of the gum tissue and the tooth underneath, which can complicate the final crown placement.
Brush gently around the temporary crown using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Do not scrub aggressively at the gum line near the crown. Use light, circular strokes and allow the bristles to do the work. Firm scrubbing can dislodge the crown or irritate already sensitive gum tissue.
Flossing requires a small modification. Instead of snapping the floss up through the contact point as you normally would, slide the floss in from the side and then pull it out laterally rather than lifting it back up. Snapping floss upward between teeth can catch the crown and pull it off. Sliding it out from the side avoids that risk entirely.
Interdental brushes or water flossers are good alternatives during this period as they clean effectively without the lifting motion that puts temporary crowns at risk.
According to the American Dental Association, maintaining oral hygiene around dental restorations is critical for both gum health and the longevity of the restoration itself. A clean margin is easier to seal and less prone to bacterial infiltration.
What to Do If Your Temporary Crown Falls Off
Even with careful handling, temporary crowns can come off. It happens. If it does, stay calm and act quickly.
First, retrieve the crown if you can and rinse it gently with warm water. Do not throw it away. Bring it with you to your dental appointment as it may be re-cementable.
Second, protect the exposed tooth. The prepared tooth underneath is sensitive and fragile. Avoid eating on that side entirely. If you have dental cement from a pharmacy kit, a small amount can be placed inside the crown to temporarily re-seat it. Petroleum jelly or even a small amount of toothpaste can also serve as a very short-term placeholder. These are stopgap measures only and do not substitute for seeing your dentist.
Third, contact Hollywood Family Dentistry as soon as possible. A fallen temporary crown is an urgent situation and most dental offices will accommodate you quickly. The longer the prepared tooth is left unprotected, the higher the risk of sensitivity, cracking, shifting, and bacterial infiltration.
Do not use household adhesives like super glue under any circumstances. This is a common mistake that damages the crown permanently and makes proper re-cementation by your dentist very difficult.
If your temporary crown has come off or you have concerns about your crown treatment, contact Hollywood Family Dentistry in Portland today.
Is Some Sensitivity Normal With a Temporary Crown?
Yes, and this is something many patients are not prepared for. The tooth that has been prepared for a crown has had its outer enamel removed. That exposes the dentin layer, which is more reactive to temperature and pressure.
Some sensitivity to cold, heat, and biting pressure is completely normal during the temporary crown phase. It usually settles down once the permanent crown is in place and the tooth is fully protected again.
Using a toothpaste formulated for sensitive teeth during this period can help manage discomfort. Avoiding temperature extremes in your food and drink also reduces daily sensitivity.
However, if you experience sharp, throbbing, or spontaneous pain that is not triggered by food or temperature, or if pain persists and intensifies rather than improving, contact your dentist. This can occasionally indicate that the nerve of the tooth has been affected and may require further evaluation or a root canal before the permanent crown can be placed.
How Long Will You Have the Temporary Crown?
For most patients, the temporary crown is in place for one to two weeks while the permanent crown is fabricated at a dental laboratory. The lab creates a crown customized to the exact shape, size, and shade of your natural tooth using impressions or digital scans taken at your first appointment.
Some dental practices use same-day crown technology such as CEREC, which mills the permanent crown chairside during a single appointment. In those cases a temporary crown may not be needed at all or is worn for a much shorter period while final adjustments are made.
In certain clinical situations, such as when a root canal or gum treatment is needed before the final crown is placed, the temporary may be worn for a longer period. Your dentist will give you a clear timeline at your first appointment so you know exactly what to expect.
Do not skip or delay your second appointment. The temporary is not designed for long-term use. The longer it remains in place beyond the intended period, the greater the risk of it coming loose, the cement degrading, or bacteria working their way underneath it.
What Happens at Your Permanent Crown Appointment?
When you return for your permanent crown appointment, the process is straightforward and relatively quick compared to the first visit.
Your dentist will gently remove the temporary crown and clean the temporary cement from the tooth surface. The permanent crown is then tried in for fit, color match, and bite alignment. Minor adjustments may be made at this stage to ensure the crown sits perfectly and does not affect how your upper and lower teeth come together.
Once you and your dentist are both satisfied with the fit and appearance, the permanent crown is cemented into place with a strong dental adhesive. You will be asked to bite down gently to confirm the fit before the cement fully sets.
According to Mayo Clinic, dental crowns placed correctly and maintained well can last ten to fifteen years or longer. The short period of careful temporary crown care is a small investment that protects a treatment designed to serve you for many years.
After the permanent crown is in place you can return to your normal diet and oral hygiene routine. Some mild sensitivity for a day or two after placement is normal and typically resolves on its own.
Quick temporary crown care reference to keep handy:
- Do eat soft foods, chew on the opposite side, brush gently, and floss by sliding out rather than lifting up.
- Do contact your dentist immediately if the crown comes off, feels loose, or you experience increasing pain.
- Avoid sticky foods like caramel and gum, hard foods like nuts and ice, and crunchy snacks like chips and popcorn.
- Avoid using household adhesives to re-attach a fallen crown and never delay your permanent crown appointment.
Need expert dental crown care in Portland? Contact Hollywood Family Dentistry today and our team will make sure every stage of your crown treatment goes smoothly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I take care of a temporary crown?
Eat soft foods, chew on the opposite side, brush gently, and floss by sliding out rather than snapping upward. Avoid sticky, hard, and crunchy foods for the one to two weeks it is in place.
Can I eat normally with a temporary crown?
Not quite. Soft foods are fine but you should avoid anything sticky, hard, or crunchy. Chewing on the opposite side helps protect the temporary crown from unnecessary pressure.
How long does a temporary crown last?
Temporary crowns are designed to last one to two weeks while the permanent crown is made. They are not built for long-term use and should be replaced at your scheduled follow-up appointment.
What if my temporary crown feels loose?
Contact your dentist right away. A loose temporary crown means the cement bond is weakening. Leaving it in place risks it coming off entirely and exposing the prepared tooth.
Can I brush my teeth normally with a temporary crown?
Brush gently around the crown using a soft toothbrush. Avoid aggressive scrubbing at the margin. Floss carefully by sliding out sideways rather than snapping the floss upward between teeth.
Is pain normal after getting a temporary crown?
Some sensitivity to temperature and biting pressure is normal. Sharp, spontaneous, or increasing pain is not and should be reported to your dentist promptly.
