Temporary Crown – Types, materials, prices. Why do you need?

The provisional crown it is a small capsule that has the shape of a tooth and is fixed on the tooth or implant during the waiting period, before manufacturing the final crowns.

Although they are for provisional purposes, their functionality is very important. Below we have described the reasons why temporary crowns are ordered.

Why do we need the temporary crown?

• The temporary crown is needed to protect the tooth from pain in the event that the tooth is not devitalized (filed teeth are more sensitive and react to changes in temperature).
• To protect the tooth from microbes (filed teeth are more vulnerable to microbes). If the tooth is not covered, bacteria can adhere more easily, which would later lead to inflammation of the nerve (pulpitis).
• Temporary crowns offer better chewing for the entire period of treatment.

1. Temporary crown made directly in the doctor’s chair

Before filing, the impression is taken by the dentist. After finishing the tooth filing for the final crown, the doctor fills the impression with a liquid composite and fixes it on the filed tooth. After a few minutes, as soon as the material has become hard, the doctor removes the impression from the tooth, and the temporary crown is ready. Only possible adjustments remain to be done.

2. Provisional crown made in the laboratory.

The temporary crown is prepared by a dental technician in the laboratory based on the impression of the filed tooth. The dental technician prepares the plaster model on which he produces a temporary crown in acrylic resin. When the crown is ready, the dentist fixes it on the tooth with temporary cement.

The first method is not possible to carry out it in the case of crowns on implants or when some teeth are missing.

Type, duration and price of the provisional crown

The type of the temporary crown depends on the material chosen and the duration required for its use. Following these criteria, we later distinguish the 3 types of temporary crowns.

Temporary short-term resin crown
A short-term temporary crown has a short life span (a few days to a few weeks), and is usually used when the patient is waiting for the final crown in the laboratory. It is made of simple resin and is not very expensive. Its price depends on the technique used and the country where it is produced. In our dental clinic in Moldova, this type of crown is free.

Long-term temporary resin crown
The long-term temporary crown is used when the expected duration of treatment is a few months. The material used for this type of crown is always resin, but of a better quality, stronger and more durable over time. This crown has the possibility of replacing the tooth for a period of 3-6 months protecting it and ensuring better chewing and aesthetics until the final crown is fixed. This type of crown in our clinic has a price of 35 euro.

Temporary crown in metal-resin
The temporary crown in metal-resin, also called metal-acrylic crown, lasts between a few months – a few years, according to the doctor’s instructions. This type of crown is used both as a long-term temporary solution and as a permanent solution, for people who do not have the option to opt for crowns in metal-ceramic or zirconium-ceramic. The metal-resin crown in our clinic is priced at 50 euro.

Some precautions for the period when wearing the temporary crown:

As for the temporary crowns, you have to be very careful because they do not adhere perfectly as in the case of the final crowns. These are made of acrylic resin and are less durable than permanent crowns (metal-ceramic, pure ceramic, or zirconium). Temporary crowns are fixed with temporary cement, which is not as strong as the one used for permanent crowns, so we recommend that you:

1. chew as little as possible, on the side of the mouth, where the temporary crown has been fixed;
2. avoid putting pressure on the temporary crown when eating,
3. chew more on the opposite side,
4. avoid sticky foods (candy, gum), and hard foods on the side, where the temporary crown has been cemented;
5. be careful when using the toothbrush and floss.
6. do not worry if the temporary crown comes off, you just have to notify the dentist to put the cement back on.

In conclusion, temporary crowns are not made to last, one of its roles is to prepare the gum for the final crown. For this reason, dentists are unable to offer any guarantees, even if patients decide to wear them longer instead of the recommended period.