Aftercare
Temporary crown, inlay or onlay aftercare
How to look after a temporary crown, inlay or onlay while your permanent restoration is being made, and what to do if it comes off.
This is general aftercare guidance, not a substitute for the specific instructions your dentist gave you. If their advice differs, follow theirs. If you are worried about your recovery, please contact us.
Quick guide
Do's and don'ts
Do
- Chew on the opposite side
- Brush and floss gently around the temporary
- Cut food into smaller pieces
- Attend your fitting appointment on time
- Use pain relief if you need it
- Contact the clinic if the temporary comes off
- Keep the temporary clean and protected
Don't
- Do not chew sticky or hard foods
- Do not pull floss upwards out of the gap
- Do not chew ice, nuts or caramel
- Do not delay the permanent restoration
- Do not eat very hot or very cold foods at first
- Do not throw the temporary away if it comes off
- Do not use superglue to reattach it
What it does
- Protects the prepared tooth and its nerve, if present
- Lets the tooth and gums settle
- Holds the space so nearby teeth do not shift
Caring for your temporary
- Numbness precaution: Until the numbness wears off, be mindful not to chew your lips or cheeks, and avoid hot food or drinks, as you may injure yourself without realising.
- Protect the temporary restoration: Avoid sticky foods such as chewing gum and caramel, and hard items such as nuts and ice. Cut food into smaller pieces and chew gently. It is best to chew on the opposite side until the permanent restoration is placed.
- Keep it clean: Brush well and keep up good oral hygiene. Floss carefully around the tooth to avoid trapping food. Do not pick at or pull on the temporary. When flossing, slide the floss out sideways towards the cheek rather than pulling it up.
- Mind temperature: For 24 to 48 hours, avoid very hot and very cold foods and drinks, as the tooth may be temperature-sensitive because the temporary sits close to the nerve, if present.
- Manage discomfort: Take prescribed pain medication, or over-the-counter pain relief such as ibuprofen or paracetamol, if needed.
- Keep your next visit: Please attend your fitting appointment on schedule. Delays raise the risk of complications such as the temporary loosening, tooth sensitivity, or a fracture.
If the temporary comes off or breaks
- Contact the clinic: Contact the clinic promptly to arrange a visit, and do not chew on that side until the dentist re-cements the cover.
- Keep it if it is not broken: If the temporary is not broken, keep it and do not throw it away.
- Refitting at home: You can place the temporary back if it fits securely. You may use temporary dental cement from a pharmacy if you have it. Do not use superglue.
When to contact us
Please contact us if:
- The temporary crown feels loose or comes off
- Your bite feels uneven or too high
- Sensitivity or pain to hot and cold food or drinks lingers
- You have severe, spontaneous throbbing pain, especially if it affects your sleep (root canal treatment may be needed)
- Hives or a skin rash, swelling of the lips or eyelids, wheezing or shortness of breath, or severe diarrhoea as an adverse reaction to any medication prescribed
Related treatments
Questions about your recovery?
Not sure if something is normal?
If anything about your recovery does not seem right, call or message us. We will advise you, and arrange a review if you need one.