Once you break a tooth, it is forever vulnerable to decay and further damage. Fortunately, dental crowns are ideal for repairing badly damaged teeth. But dental crowns take time to prepare. Because of that, your dentist won't be able to place your permanent dental crown in just one visit.
It takes about 2-3 weeks for the lab technician to create your permanent dental crown. And during this time, you'll use a temporary crown. A temporary crown is necessary for several reasons.
Ability to Chew
Preparation for a dental crown usually takes two visits. During the first visit, your dentist will shape your broken tooth by removing some of the enamel. This is to prepare it for the permanent crown.
But you won't be able to chew on the remains of the tooth for obvious reasons. So your temporary crown will allow you to chew your food comfortably, at least to some degree, until your permanent crown is ready.
Protection for the Tooth
Your prepared tooth will also need protection, especially if you enjoy eating hard foods like nuts and boiled candy. And although temporary crowns are as durable as permanent crowns, they provide at least some protection to broken teeth for the 2-3 week period until the permanent crown is ready.
Sensitivity Prevention
Your broken tooth will also cause you some sensitivity if you leave it exposed. This is because the tooth's innards are open to your oral environment. Without the temporary crown, hot and cold temperatures, as well as some acidic foods, might cause the tooth to become sensitive and leave you in pain. A temporary crown will keep these things out of the tooth.
Movement Inhibitor
Teeth are always on the move. This means that the opposing and adjacent teeth could drift into the space left behind by the broken tooth while you wait for the permanent crown to be ready. This would obviously make placing the permanent crown more difficult. As such, it is necessary to place a temporary crown to act as a placeholder for the permanent crown.
Appearance Conserver
Naturally, if you are missing a large portion of your tooth after your dentist has prepared it for the permanent crown; your smile will be greatly affected. A temporary crown will help you to feel confident enough to smile and interact with others without worrying about your tooth.
Before you can get your permanent crown, you'll need to wear a temporary crown. But when done well, a temporary crown can provide the above benefits until your permanent crown is ready.
For more information, reach out to a dentist that offers dental crowns in your area.
