It is okay to eat and drink, but keep in mind that sensation to biting forces and temperature is impaired. Please be careful.
Temporary Crowns
Temporary crowns are temporary! They protect teeth, prevent space closure, and help guide esthetics and occlusion prior to final crown cementation. Temporary crowns can be in place for weeks to years and may need to be adjusted if they feel "high" or a patient's bite does not feel correct.
We recommend brushing temporary crowns as usual, but to avoid flossing around them unless necessary to prevent pulling them off. If flossing is necessary, pull floss down between teeth then pull floss out to the side to remove.
Avoid sticky or hard foods, like caramel, gum or nuts.
If the temporary crown does come off, call us. Most of the time, we will recommend you simply leave the temporary crown off, but if the tooth underneath is unbearably sensitive, we will have you come in to have it re-cemented.
PeridexTM antibiotic rinse should be used for 5 days before and after both appointments if multiple teeth are crowned.
Crown Aftercare
Almost all discomfort associated with dental procedures postoperatively is due to injections and/or trauma to the gum, and not the actual procedure to the tooth itself. Swelling, bruising and generalized discomfort at the injection site as a result of soft tissue trauma are common for up to 10 days. The discomfort may radiate and spread. Most patients feel little or no discomfort by the following day.
Peridex rinse should be started 24 hours after the procedure and last for 5 - 7 days. When used, Peridex rinse is to be swished for 2 minutes, twice a day. Staining of the tongue and/or teeth should be expected, but will self-reverse after discontinuation.
Antibiotics will often be prescribed for 7 days. Vicodin may also be prescribed, but should only be taken as needed. Minimal swelling and tenderness should be expected. Maintain excellent oral hygiene and a soft diet while healing. Post-operative appointment will be scheduled following surgery.
Sensitivity
One possible result from the process of removing the bacteria associated with decay and/or fractures from teeth is "sensitivity" after the procedure. After a period of months this sensitivity tends to subside or resolve completely. In cases where a tooth is still "sensitive" and the crown is fine, the sensitivity is derived from nerve damage caused by the process of removing bacteria and/or bad tooth structure that was present prior to the procedure.
In cases where the sensitivity is more than a patient would like to deal with, we recommend devitalizing the tooth by removal of the nerve. A root canal removes the nerve(s) from teeth which eliminates discomfort and sensitivity almost immediately.
**For your comfort, we strongly recommend that all patients who are not contraindicated to use 600 - 800mg of ibuprofen (Advil(r), Motrin(r), etc.) every 8 hours for as long as 5 days following crown appointments. It is best to take the first dose of ibuprofen before the anesthetic wears off. **