Porcelain Crowns, Bridges & Onlays

Your Temporary

• You may have just received a temporary restoration that will serve you for a short period of time while your permanent crown is being made. This will protect the tooth and hold the tooth in position so the permanent restoration will fit properly.
• Temporaries are not strong. They may break or come off occasionally. If so, slip it back on the tooth with some Fixodent (Denture Adhesive) and call us for an appointment. Please do not leave the temporary out of your mouth because the tooth will move and the final restoration will not fit. Brush softly and floss carefully around your temporary. Be careful not to lift the temporary up when you floss - just pull it through. It is imperative that the gum tissue remains healthy or we may not be able to seat your new restoration.
• The size, shape, and color of the temporary does not resemble the final restoration.
• Temporary restorations may leak saliva or food onto the tooth. Sensitivity to hot, cold, pressure, or sweets is not uncommon. If you feel the bite is not correctly balanced, please call for an appointment for a simple adjustment.

Permanent Crowns, Onlays or Fixed Bridge

• After the final cementation of your restoration, it may take a few days to get used to the new crown or bridge. Hot and cold sensitivity is possible for a few weeks and occasionally lasts for several months. As with the temporary, if the bite doesn't feel balanced please call us.
• Do not chew hard or sticky foods on the restoration for 24 hours from the time they were cemented. The cement must set during this time to have optimum strength.
• Proper brushing, flossing, and regular 6-month (minimal) cleanings are required to help you retain your final restoration. The only area that a crowned tooth can decay is at the edge of the crown at the gum line. Often, small problems that develop around the restorations can be found at an early stage and corrected easily, but waiting for a longer time may require redoing the entire restoration.  You should use a floss threader, "Superfloss" or small brushes (Proxybrush) to clean under a bridge.  We can show you how to use these and give you samples.  These can be purchased at most drug stores.
• As with your natural teeth and other restorations, Porcelain restorations can crack or break under extreme situations.  You should avoid chewing very hard foods (ice, hard candy) and very sticky foods (taffy, Jolly Ranchers).  If you grind or clinch your teeth you should wear a protective bite guard, particularly while sleeping.
• You must remember that any tooth that has had a large restoration or crown may at some point need a root canal.  Symptoms may include hot or cold sensitivity, pain with pressure or biting, loose teeth, and swelling or a sore on the gum near the tooth.  If any of these appear, please have us check the tooth.