Temporary Crown

Despite the active development of dentistry, aesthetic restoration of a tooth is only possible if it is damaged by less than 50%. If a larger portion has to be removed, prosthetics are required. Teeth are shaped, depulped, and crowns are made for them. This process takes a significant amount of time (considering several fittings). To protect the prepared teeth from aggressive effects, temporary crowns are used. What they are and the materials used to make them. How long they can be worn and why they cannot be installed for permanent use?

What are temporary crowns?

Temporary crowns help to conceal defects of teeth and tooth enamel, protecting the prepared base from sensitivity to temperature changes. They partially participate in chewing functions. They are typically made within 2 to 24 hours (depending on whether the dental office has its own laboratory for manufacturing dental prosthetics).

Naturally, from their name, it is clear that temporary crowns are not intended or suitable for permanent use. First, they are made from less durable materials than metal or ceramic. Second, they are not permanently cemented, remaining removable for future prosthetics. Their main task is to protect the prepared tooth for prosthetics and to slow down the process of “filling” the created cavity by the gum’s growth.

Additional functions of temporary crowns:

• protection of the pulp from potential penetration by pathogenic bacteria;
• prevention of tooth row displacement when a gap occurs between them (after grinding or removal of several teeth);
• providing normal speech (or with minimal changes);
• helping acclimate to a foreign body in the oral cavity (the patient will adapt faster to permanent prosthetics later);
• maintaining usual oral hygiene routines;
• forming an aesthetic smile during dental treatment.

Pros and Cons

Temporary crowns have the following advantages:

• low cost (as they are made from inexpensive materials, commonly plastic and similar polymers);
• quick fabrication (in some clinics, they are prepared within 1 hour after the dentist’s request and impression taking);
• the installation process takes minimal time, just up to 15 minutes, after which the patient can continue their daily activities;
• attractive aesthetic appearance (the shade can be matched to natural teeth, making the “replacement” hardly noticeable).

The drawbacks include:

• not suitable for permanent use;
• over time, they may slightly change color compared to the original, so it’s advisable to avoid foods with contrasting substances and dyes;
• a temporary crown may have minor deviations from the optimal anatomical shape for prosthetics, causing discomfort in the mouth during wear.

Types

Based on the materials used, temporary crowns are classified into:

1. Plastic. The simplest to manufacture and cheapest. They use polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), acrylic, and similar materials in production. They can be easily colored in any shade, are flexible, easy to work with mechanically, and lightweight. Moreover, they do not cause allergic reactions, do not chemically react with acids or alkalis, do not create an aftertaste, and do not promote pathogenic microbial growth (which aids in healing damaged gums).
2. Composite. More reliable and long-lasting option, but more expensive. These crowns are used for 1 – 2 months. For example, during preparation for implantation (during implant survival). Or when a bridge is installed for a significant part of the dental row (e.g., 3 or more missing teeth).

Which option is better is determined individually by the dentist based on the patient’s clinical picture, the task at hand, and the patient’s wishes. Based on practice, most orthopedic dentists choose temporary plastic crowns. They can be made promptly in almost any laboratory, are cost-effective, and require no special preparation before installation.

Care for Temporary Crowns

Regardless of the quality, temporary crowns require care. Otherwise, there could be gum inflammation and bacterial penetration into the pulpal area (causing severe tooth pain). The prosthetic may fall out or break. To minimize these risks, the following care recommendations should be followed:

• follow oral hygiene rules using products recommended by the treating dentist;
• avoid eating overly hard foods;
• temporarily refrain from sticky foods (e.g., chewing gum, candies);
• try not to heavily load the jaw area where the temporary structure is located (but distribute the load evenly);
• if possible, quit smoking because saliva mixed with nicotine quickly dissolves cement, causing the “cap” to potentially fall out at any moment.

If any issues arise with the prosthetic, contact a dentist as soon as possible. Otherwise, it may require re-preparation of the tooth and manufacturing a new “cap,” leading to additional costs, time loss, and in complex cases, tooth loss.