A temporary crown protects your tooth while the permanent crown is being made. It is held with weaker cement on purpose, so it needs a little extra care.
Eating
- Avoid chewing, hot drinks and biting your cheek, lip or tongue until the numbness wears off, usually within 2–5 hours. Watch children closely.
- Chew mostly on the other side. Avoid sticky, chewy and hard foods (gum, caramel, nuts, hard bread crusts).
Cleaning
- Brush normally. When flossing around the temporary, slide the floss out sideways instead of pulling it up, so the crown is not lifted off.
Sensitivity
- Some sensitivity to hot, cold or biting is common with a temporary.
If it comes off
- Keep the temporary and call us. Your tooth should be covered so it does not shift or become sensitive.
- Do not use household glue. Your dentist may suggest a pharmacy temporary cement as a short-term fix until you can be seen.
Next visit
- Keep your appointment for the permanent crown. Temporaries are not designed to last long.
Call our office right away if
- The temporary comes off or breaks
- Your bite feels high
- Pain or swelling that gets worse
This handout is general information. Always follow the specific instructions your dentist gives you, which may differ from this sheet. For a medical emergency, such as trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling spreading toward the eye or neck, or bleeding that will not stop, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Content last reviewed: 2026-10.