When you go to your dentist for a dental crown, the process can rarely be completed in one visit. Unless your dentist mills crowns and veneers in-house, permanent dental crowns take a lot of time to make, sometimes several weeks. To keep your tooth from being vulnerable during that time, your dentist will likely apply a temporary one.

A dental crown can protect your tooth after a root canal, hold together the pieces of a cracked tooth, or replace the outside of a badly decayed tooth. Temporary crowns are necessary because the alterations made to your tooth allow it to accept a crown. The process is the same for restorative and cosmetic dentistry purposes.

Before your dentist can take a final mold of your teeth to base your permanent crown, your affected tooth will be filed down to make room for it. After filing, your tooth will be more sensitive and prone to further damage. A temporary crown protects it until the permanent crown can be affixed, allowing you to eat normally in the meantime.

While there are several differences between a temporary and a permanent crowns, such as material and color, the main difference is the material used to attach them. Your permanent one will be attached with a strong cement designed to last for years. Temporary ones, on the other hand, will be placed using a weaker cement, which your dentist will remove later. For this reason, avoid disturbing the temporary crown or eating sticky foods with it; otherwise, it may pull away from the tooth.

Although it’s temporary, it’s an essential tool in the transition from a damaged tooth to a fully restored one. With the appropriate care, your temporary crown will protect your tooth until the permanent one is ready.

Four Corners Dental Group in Anchorage and Wasilla, AK, offers family and cosmetic dentistry, as well as emergency dental care. Call them today to schedule an appointment. You can reach the practice at (907) 258-3384 for the Anchorage location and (907) 376-2790 for the Wasilla location, or learn more online.