When anesthesia has been used, your lips, teeth, and tongue may be numb for a few hours after the appointment. Avoid any chewing until the numbness has completely worn off as you may bite your tongue, cheek, or lip.
TEMPORARY CROWNS:
Following the first appointment for a crown or bridge procedure, sometimes a temporary crown is placed on the tooth or teeth involved. This will protect them while the custom restoration is being made.
Temporary cement is used so that the crown can be easily removed at your next appointment. If your temporary crown comes off between appointments, do not worry. Call for an appointment.
Avoid chewing gum, sticky foods, and candy while the temporary crown is in place. The temporary crown is made of a plastic material and is not as smooth as the permanent crown and it will come off if these foods are eaten.
Temporary restorations can leak saliva or food onto the tooth. You may experience sensitivity to hot, cold, pressure, or sweetness. If you experience unusual discomfort or feel the bite is not correct, please call for an appointment for a simple adjustment. Your temporary’s size, shape, and color do not resemble those of your final restoration.
Your permanent crown will be custom shaped and shaded to match your teeth. The temporary crown is made to serve you for a short period of time, so its color and shape do not closely match your teeth.
PERMANENT CROWNS:
Please do not eat or drink for 30 minutes after your new crown is cemented. Do not eat hard or sticky foods for 24 hours while the cement completely sets.
After the final cementation of your fixed restoration, it may take a few days or weeks to get used to the new crown or bridge. If you feel the bite is not correctly balanced, call for an appointment for a simple adjustment.
The finished crown may be contoured slightly differently and have a different texture than the original tooth. Your tongue usually magnifies this small difference, but you will become accustomed to this in a few days.
Many crowns fit below the gum line. Therefore, you may experience some discomfort for a while due to the irritation of that area during the preparation procedure. Warm salt water rinses will speed up healing. Sensitivity to temperature or pressure is also possible.
Proper brushing and flossing are highly recommended to help you retain your final restoration. The area of a crowned tooth at the edge of the crown near the gum line can decay easily. With a bridge, you will need special floss threads or other aids to reach and clean all areas properly.
It is advised to not bite on hard or sticky food. Cracking of nut shells or similar kinds of activities with the crown or bridge has to be avoided, as it may end up damaging the prosthesis as well as may cause sore spots.
Please follow prescribed oral hygiene instructions- 45-degree angle brushing twice a day and flossing once a day to avoid getting a cavity or gum disease around your new crown. Flossing is very important in preserving the health of your crown or bridge.
Proper brushing, flossing, and regular 6-month cleanings are necessary to maintain your final restoration
