Dental Implants: What To Expect From Your Temporary Dental Crown

21 December 2021
 Categories: Dentist, Blog


Although numerous consultations and follow-up appointments can be expected when receiving dental implants, there are two main stages of the process. There's your implant surgery, when the titanium alloy bolt (the artificial tooth root) is placed in your jaw. Your jaw then heals around the implant to secure it (a process called osseointegration). After several weeks to a few months (once osseointegration has been successful), you will be fitted with a permanent prosthetic tooth. Since there's a gap between these stages, many patients might not like the idea of having a gap in their smile for this period. This is where a temporary dental crown proves its usefulness.

Temporary Usage

The temporary dental crown is prefabricated. It will be acrylic, color-matched to your teeth, and will have the same approximate dimensions as the tooth it's replacing. This differs (considerably) from the final prosthetic tooth, which is custom-made for you. The temporary crown is strictly cosmetic and serves no functional purpose (other than disguising the temporary gap in your dental arch). 

Anterior Teeth

Because it's a cosmetic addition, your dentist may advise against using a temporary crown on a molar, as the absence of a posterior tooth isn't all that obvious. They're generally reserved for anterior teeth (which are visible when you talk and eat). The crown will be cemented to the implant, although this bonding is deliberately weaker than a permanent crown, to allow for easy removal.

Excess Pressure

Some patients may experience issues with a temporary crown fitted to their new dental implant. Although your dentist will explain the importance of avoiding pressure on the temporary crown (as it cannot withstand much bite pressure), you might find that the mildest stimulation causes a feeling of pressure on the crown. This should be reported to your dentist.

Solutions

If a temporary dental crown is too high, it can place excessive pressure on the underlying implant. As the implant is vulnerable during osseointegration, this pressure on the temporary crown elevates your risk of implant failure. Your dentist may opt to remove the temporary crown. For esthetic purposes, it can be replaced with a dental flipper (a type of denture with a single tooth) or a clip-on retainer that is fitted over the entire upper or lower dental arch. These options don't apply pressure to the implant as it heals. 

A temporary dental crown certainly isn't mandatory and is more about preserving the appearance of your smile during osseointegration. Be sure to report any unexpected outcomes (such as excessive pressure caused by the temporary crown) to your dentist.


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