After the 1st appointment – crown/bridge/veneer preparation:
Before your permanent restoration is cemented into place, you will have a temporary restoration. The temporary is not as strong as the permanent version, so do not chew on that side and avoid hard, crunchy, sticky and chewy foods which may damage or dislodge the temporary. If the temporary chips/cracks but isn’t uncomfortable and is still in place, it’s usually not necessary to replace it. If the temporary becomes dislodged, sometimes simply placing a little toothpaste or Vaseline in the temporary and placing it over the tooth will sufficiently hold it into place. If it is not uncomfortable and you are within a few days of your cementation appointment, it may not require replacement. Please call our office for further instruction. If you experience discomfort from a dislodged or damaged temporary, please contact our office to evaluate and replace.
Brush the area gently and gently pull floss out from the front of the tooth rather than pulling it up to prevent dislodging the temporary. There may be increased temperature sensitivity, generally cold, in the tooth, and the gums may be tender from the crown preparation process. Cold sensitivity should subside once the crown is cemented into place or within a few weeks afterwards. Expect the gums to be tender for 3-10 days. A warm saltwater rinse (1 tsp. salt/8 oz. water) 2-3 times per day will help. You may wish to take over-the-counter pain medication to reduce discomfort.
After the 2nd appointment – cementing the restoration:
When the restoration is cemented into place, it may feel awkward, tight and temperature sensitive for the first few days or more. Your mouth needs time to adjust to the new restoration, and it should feel like one of your natural teeth after a few weeks. If your bite feels abnormal in any way (e.g., if you can’t close all the way, if you are biting on the crown first, if you are chewing more heavily on the crown, if you feel a general dull achiness in the tooth) then call our office. Caring for your crown/bridge is like caring for your own teeth. Brush and floss regularly and, if you have a bridge, use bridge threaders, superfloss or other oral aides to properly clean underneath the restoration.
