After Your Veneer, Crown, or Bridge Preparation
Your teeth have been prepared for veneers, a crown, or a bridge. Temporary restorations may have been placed to protect the prepared teeth while your final restoration is being fabricated in the dental laboratory.
Proper care during this interim phase is important to prevent sensitivity, damage to the prepared teeth, or loss of the temporary restoration.
Immediately After the Preparation Appointment
- If local anaesthesia was used, avoid eating until the numbness has completely worn off.
- Mild tenderness of the gums or jaw is normal and typically settles within a day or two.
- Some sensitivity to cold, air, or pressure on the prepared teeth is common.
Caring for Temporary Restorations
Temporary crowns, veneers, or bridges are not as strong as your final restorations. They serve a protective role while the permanent prosthesis is fabricated.
- Avoid sticky foods such as chewing gum, caramel, and toffee, which can pull temporaries loose.
- Avoid hard or crunchy foods that could crack the temporary.
- Chew on the opposite side where possible.
- If a temporary comes off, keep it safe and contact our team promptly.
- Do not attempt to re-cement it yourself unless specifically advised.
Managing Tooth Sensitivity
Sensitivity to temperature and sweet foods is common after tooth preparation. This occurs because the protective enamel layer has been reduced to accommodate the restoration.
- Use a desensitising toothpaste (containing potassium nitrate or stannous fluoride) if needed.
- Avoid very hot or very cold foods and beverages during the temporary phase.
- Sensitivity should gradually reduce over several days. If pain persists or worsens, contact your dentist for review.
Oral Hygiene During the Temporary Phase
- Brush gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush around the prepared teeth.
- Floss carefully. Slide floss out to the side rather than pulling straight up to avoid dislodging the temporary.
- Maintaining good hygiene prevents gum inflammation, which ensures a better fit and healthier tissue for your final restoration.
Diet Recommendations
Until your final restoration is placed:
- Avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky foods.
- Avoid biting directly into hard foods with prepared front teeth.
- Reduce sugary foods to minimise sensitivity and decay risk on exposed tooth structure.
What Is Normal
- Mild gum tenderness around the prepared teeth
- Temporary sensitivity to temperature or pressure
- A slight difference in bite feeling due to temporary restorations
- Minor gum irritation around preparation margins
When to Contact Your Dentist
- Severe or worsening pain
- A temporary crown, veneer, or bridge that becomes loose or falls off
- A bite that feels significantly uneven or painful
- Persistent bleeding or gum swelling
- Signs of infection such as swelling, pus, or fever
Your final restoration appointment is essential to seal and protect the prepared teeth. Please attend as scheduled. If you have any concerns during the interim period, contact ArtSmiles on the Gold Coast.