A dental crown restoration performed at Gentle Touch Dental typically takes two separate appointments. The first step involves removing the tooth enamel layer, leaving behind a pillar of dentin that enrobes the healthy pulp and root of a tooth. Then an impression will be taken to serve as a guide for the off-site dental lab technician who prepares your final crown.
In the interim, Dr. Dexter Inniss will secure a temporary crown onto the dentin abutment. This hard, plastic cap is only meant to protect the dentin. It does not effectively restore the tooth’s ability to bite, grind or chew. If your temporary crown is damaged or if it falls out, it can seriously damage the abutment and lead to significant complications.
It’s best not to chew gum or eat sticky foods on that side of your mouth. The suction this causes could potentially pull the temporary crown loose. The same goes for biting down on hard, crunchy foods as this could crack the temporary crown and cause damage to the dentin abutment within.
It’s also important to maintain good oral hygiene practices. Healthy gums will seat the new crown comfortably in the socket. The temporary crown will still need to be brushed twice a day and flossed once a day as if it was a real tooth. Many people find that waxed floss is easier to work in and around tight spaces.
If you have a question about how to best maintain your temporary crown in Conyers, Georgia, you can always call 770-760-7566 to speak to a member of our Gentle Touch Dental staff.