Why a temporary crown exists at all
Between the tooth being prepared and the final crown being ready, a temporary crown protects the exposed tooth, maintains your bite and keeps the appearance reasonably natural. It is designed to be a functional bridge between visits, not a corner-cutting placeholder.
How long a temporary crown stays in place
The wait depends on your case. Where a laboratory is on site, digital design and milling can shorten this considerably, sometimes to a matter of days for straightforward crowns. Cases involving an implant need to wait for healing before the final crown is fitted, which typically means a temporary solution for several months.
Caring for a temporary crown
- Avoid very sticky or chewy foods, which can pull a temporary crown loose
- Chew on the opposite side of your mouth where possible
- Brush gently around the area rather than avoiding it entirely
- Floss carefully by sliding the floss out sideways rather than lifting it upward
- Contact your dentist promptly if the temporary comes off, rather than waiting until your next scheduled visit
What determines the permanent crown
While you are wearing a temporary, your permanent crown is being designed and made, whether milled digitally in-house or crafted by hand for a particularly demanding aesthetic case. The shade, shape and fit are all finalised against your natural teeth before the permanent crown ever reaches your mouth.
Fitting the permanent crown
At the final appointment, the temporary is removed, the tooth is cleaned, and the permanent crown is checked for fit, bite and colour before being permanently bonded. At Dentalmed, this stage is often the same or very next visit thanks to our in-house laboratory, minimising the time you spend with a temporary at all.