Permanent and temporary dental crowns: Common problems, sensitivity and pains.

Minimize the usage of the side of your mouth that has the temporary crown.

There's no need to look for trouble, give the temporary dental crown some consideration when eating. As much as possible, shift the bulk of your chewing activities to other areas.

Keep sticky foods away from the temporary dental crown.

Anything sticky (caramel, chewing gum, etc...) has the potential to grab onto the temporary crown and pull it off its tooth.

Avoid chewing hard foods with the temporary dental crown.

Chewing exceptionally hard foods, such as raw vegetables (carrots), can dislodge or break a temporary dental crown.

Brushing and flossing suggestions for temporary dental crowns.

A tooth with a temporary dental crown can usually be brushed and flossed in normal fashion, with the following consideration. After flossing it may be best to remove the dental floss by way of letting loose of one end and then pulling it out to the side. Pulling the floss back out in normal fashion might snag the temporary crown and pull it off its tooth.

If you notice any pain or discomfort with your tooth it's best that you let your dentist know so they can evaluate your symptoms. Here are some of the types of problems that can occur:

A) The tooth has increased thermal sensitivity.

It is within normal limits that a person will notice some increased sensitivity to both hot and cold foods and beverages during that time during which their temporary dental crown is in place. This can be related to the fact that the edges of the temporary dental crown cover over the tooth less precisely than a permanent dental crown's edges will, thus providing a space by the gum line where these thermal irritants can get at your tooth. Just to play it safe however, in this situation go ahead and contact your dentist's office, report your symptoms, and let them make a determination.

B) The gums around your tooth hurt.

It might be expected that the gum tissue around a tooth that has been prepared for a dental crown will be tender for a day or so. Since the edge of most crowns end at or below the gum line your dentist will have to perform dental work in this area. It is very easy for a person's gums to get roughed up during the crown making process. As a solution a dentist will often suggest that rinsing with warm salt water up to three times a day may speed up the healing of this gum tissue. However, in all cases, if something seems amiss you should feel free to report to your dentist and let them evaluate your situation.

C) The bite on your temporary dental crown seems incorrect.

After your numbness wears off you may find that when you bite down your temporary crown touches its opposing tooth before its neighboring teeth do. When this situation exists your dentist will probably be very eager to adjust the bite of your temporary crown. Don't expect this situation to take care of itself or improve with time. Allowing this condition to persist can seriously aggravate or even compromise the nerve in a tooth.

D) Tooth pain.

It is not out of the ordinary that a tooth might feel a little aggravated after having been shaped for a dental crown. If you do notice some pain go ahead and let your dentist know so they can evaluate your symptoms. As a solution for minor reversible conditions, a dentist will often suggest that their patients take an anti-inflammatory analgesic (such as ibuprofen or aspirin) so to help their tooth settle down. (You will need to read and evaluate the directions and precautions that accompany these products so that you know that their usage is appropriate for you.)

A) The tooth has sensitivity to both hot and cold stimuli.

It's not uncommon that after a dental crown has been cemented into place that a person notices that their tooth has sensitivity to both hot and cold foods and beverages. Typically the location of this sensitivity is at the edge of the crown, by the gum line.

In some cases a dentist might have a very simple solution for this problem. The remedy might be as easy as using a tube of one of those toothpastes marketed as a treatment for "sensitive teeth" (the active ingredient in these products is usually potassium nitrate). However, rather than make an incorrect treatment decision yourself, let your dentist know you are having a problem so they can evaluate your situation and make a recommendation.

B) The bite of the dental crown seems off.

Your dentist will have evaluated the way your dental crown touches against your other teeth when you bite down during that visit when they cemented your dental crown in place. Even so, you may find, especially after your numbness has worn off, that some aspect of your crown's shape is not quite right. Possibly when you bite down you feel your crowned tooth makes contact first, or maybe as you slide your teeth from side to side you can feel some aspect of the crown which seems too prominent.

This type of problem is usually an easy fix for your dentist, they simply need to buff your dental crown down so its shape is more in harmony with your bite. Don't expect this type of problem to take care of itself because it won't. In fact, if this condition is not remedied promptly it can lead to serious consequences related to the health of the nerve in your tooth.

C) Other difficulties with dental crowns.

The same events and circumstances that have led to the need for your dental crown (a broken or cracked tooth, a large cavity, etc...) can have a detrimental effect on other aspects of your tooth's health. Possibly your tooth was asymptomatic initially and now that the crowning process has been begun (or completed) problems seem to have popped up. While this set of circumstances is disappointing, it is not an indication that all was well with your tooth initially. It simply suggests that the full extent of the tooth's problems could not be identified beforehand.

Sometimes after dental crown treatment has been begun or completed a problem with the tooth's nerve becomes apparent and subsequently root canal treatment is needed. Some teeth are cracked seriously enough that even a crown cannot hold the tooth together sufficiently. These are not circumstances your dentist can predict with certainty, they can't see the future and know all outcomes. If you have found that a problem has developed, or has persisted, after your dental crown has been placed simply report to your dentist, sooner rather than later, so they can evaluate your current situation and suggest a treatment solution.

D) What to do if a dental crown comes loose.

If your dental crown comes off contact your dentist's office promptly so they can provide you with specific instructions and make an appointment for you where they will evaluate your situation and then, if possible (and it very often is), recement the crown on your tooth.

During that time which exists before your dental appointment your dentist may suggest that you simply place the crown back on your tooth. The idea here is that wearing the crown will protect your tooth from irritating stimuli such as hot or cold liquids. Placing the crown on your tooth will also keep the tooth from shifting. (A tooth without its crown can shift in position so much that a dentist may not find it possible to recement the crown but instead will have to make you a new one.)

Sometimes when a person places a dislodged crown back on their tooth they will find that the crown's bite seems to be off. This condition must be reported to their dentist so a revised recommendation can be made. Usually in this instance a dentist will feel that is best just to leave the crown off, but that is for them to decide.

If your uncemented crown doesn't seem to stay in place very well your dentist might suggest that you fill it with petroleum jelly, toothpaste, or else denture adhesive (this solution should only be used for a few days duration). As a more permanent temporary fix, your local pharmacist can probably help you find one of the temporary dental crown cements that are sold.

Of course your dentist will no doubt advise you that you will need to be careful with your crown until they get an opportunity to recement it. Especially in those cases where the crown is easily dislodged, your dentist will probably suggest that it should be removed when you eat or sleep.