What do I do after my teeth have been shaped and fitted for a crown or bridge?
Please wait until any numbness wears off before eating. This may take 2-4 hours after you leave the dental office.
Expect some gum discomfort and tooth sensitivity for a day or two. Our teeth are living human tissues with blood vessels and nerves in them. Shaping a tooth for a crown is like surgery we would get elsewhere on our body so some post-op discomfort is normal. Over-the-counter pain medications or warm salt water rinses may help.
The temporary crown that's covering the tooth is made of plastic so it is easy to break. Temporary cement is only holding the tooth on with a suction like pressure so it may come off easily. Please avoid hard, chewy, or sticky food.
What is a temporary crown and why do I need it? What happens if it falls off or breaks?
It is a plastic temporary crown that covers your tooth while we wait for the dental lab technicians and ceramists to make your permanent crown or bridge. It acts like a band aid to cover and insulate the shaped tooth. Without it on, your tooth will be very sensitive. It also keeps the shaped tooth from shifting. If the temporary comes off, your tooth might shift, the permanent crown may not fit, and we will need to start the process all over again.
If the temporary falls off or breaks, please call us at 808-488-1988.
How do I clean it?
Brush gently, and when flossing, please pull the floss out to the side of the tooth rather than pulling up or pushing down to remove the floss. Be very careful using electric brushes or the water flossers.
I have my permanent crown or bridge. What can I expect after the procedure?
Expect some sensitivity again for a couple days. If it persists past 3 days, or if your bite feels off or "high" after 2 days, please call us at 808-488-1988. Leaving a "high" bite will cause persistent sensitivity and can even cause the tooth nerve to die.
Please avoid hard or chewy food for another day as the permanent cement will continue to set after you leave the dental office.
Your tooth is now protected from cracking as best as it can be, but it is still not as strong as a natural tooth. Please be careful eating hard food, especially if you have a porcelain crown. If your tooth has a root canal under the crown, be very cautious eating hard or chewy food, and if you clench or grind your teeth, a nightguard would help to protect the tooth from fracturing.
How do I care for my crown or bridge?
Please clean and care for your crown or bridge like you would your natural teeth as they can still decay. We recommend twice a day brushing with the Oral B electric toothbrush, once a day flossing, a water flosser like the Waterpik, water rinsing after eating or drinking anything, xylitol mints between meals, and ACT Anticavity mouth rinse or Fluorimax toothpaste before bed.
If you have a porcelain crown, water rinsing is very important to keep the custom stain and glaze from wearing away or discoloring from foods and drinks. Be careful not to use an abrasive toothpaste or a hard bristled toothbrush on any porcelain crowns.
Floss threaders and the Waterpik will be needed to clean under a bridge. Occasional rinses with a basic Listerine will help keep the gums around a bridge healthy.
How long will my crown or bridge last?
While crowns will last longer than a filling, they will not last forever. They may chip, wear down, decay, or fall off as the cement that holds them on our teeth will eventually fail. Bridges on our back teeth usually last 7-10 years since there is extra pressure placed on the teeth holding up the bridge and bridges are harder to clean.
We can think of it like a car. A car that's driven 40 miles a day in harsh weather conditions will not last as long as a car that's driven 5 miles a day, parked in the shade with regular maintenance. With our teeth, we can think of mileage as how much we put pressure on our teeth from chewing, clenching, or grinding. Harsh weather conditions would be sugary and/or acidic food and drinks. Maintenance would be regular dental visits, proper brushing, flossing, rinsing with water, xylitol, and fluoride.
A nightguard or retainer may help our crown or bridge last longer if during sleep we: clench or grind our teeth, have dry mouth, mouth breathe, have acid reflux or untreated sleep apnea.
What happens when they break, decay, or need replacement?
Existing crowns/bridges may be repaired, or replaced with a new crown/bridge. Your dentist will help you make a decision based upon the tooth's remaining structure, your bite, habits, home care, diet, risk of future decay, and health.
As your dentist, we can control the quality of materials used, how well we shape your tooth to fit the crown, and how your teeth come together when you bite. We cannot control the size of the decay or any pre-existing fillings or crowns, or what happens after the crown is placed. Please consider your "mileage" (including any clenching or grinding when we are sleeping) and "maintenance" regarding how long your dental work lasts. Some flexibility may be provided if your crown breaks or falls out up to 5 years after it is placed.
Please contact us at 808-488-1988 or [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns.