Dental Crowns - Advice please

EtaPhiZTA · #1 06-30-2006, 02:15 PM

Earlier this week, I had a root canal done and I now have a temporary crown on that tooth. At the same time, the dentist put a temporary crown on another molar (that didn't need a root canal). I underwent conscious sedation, so I didn't encounter any pain during the procedure. There has been some minor discomfort (probably from adjusting to the new biting surfaces on the temporary crowns).

Anyway, my question is about the adhesive that is used to attach the temporary crowns. Evidently when the crowns were put in, the dentist must use an adhesive to hold them in place. However, some of the adhesive seems to be on the outside of the tooth (like a very thin layer of hard plastic). It is driving me crazy! My tongue keeps going to those spots because it feels funny. I want to go to town with my toothbrush trying to scrub my mouth clean, but I am so afraid that I will loosen one of the temporary crowns (which could be painful).

Am I crazy or has anyone else had this happen before? If so, what did you do to help? Thanks.

kstar · #2 06-30-2006, 02:57 PM

It's actually acrylic and I wouldn't personally try to remove it myself.

They're supposed to remove all the excess when they seated the temp. crown, so I would go in and have them fix it.

AKA_Monet · #3 06-30-2006, 07:27 PM

You need to make an appt to see your dentist age so that he can shave off some of the parts that are bothering you...

He made them a little "too high" for you. That means your crowns are "longer" than your "teeth line" of all your teeth... It is really difficult to get it "squared and straight", especially when your numb and cannot feel the line when he asks...

If you do not go within the next couple of weeks, you will grind your temps down and dislodge them or you could set off your biteIf you set off your bite (how your teeth set when your mouth is closed), then you can ruin the proper placement of your permenent porcelain to metal crowns... That's why you need to make an appointment to go as soon as you can...

He can do a quick shaving with "articulation" paper--kinna like the "carbon copy" paper from back in the day that you'll bite/grind on and get the "teeth line" straightened out for you. It is about a 10-15 minute procedure.

If you do dislodge your temps, and they are molars, you need to cover them back up. They sell the "sticky adhesive" stuff in most "drug stores" like "Walgreens". You just stick the stuff to the top of the crown, make it contoured to the crown and push rather hard when you lost it on your tooth. Set it the way your tooth should look and if you cannot stand the "in between" stuff--like food in between your teeth, use floss to remove it. If you can get a "scaler" and some drug stores sell these things, you can remove the "extra adhesive" around the tooth. But don't pull up or down depending where the tooth is located.

My father is a dentist. I used to work in his office as a dental assistant since I was 14 years old. I have assisted him with numerous "crown preps". I had to have "articulation" done on my teeth because he made my fillings "too high" before... But my bite is off because I grind my teeth and I wear a bruxism device (nightguard).

EtaPhiZTA · #4 07-01-2006, 08:24 AM

Thanks so much for the advice. Because this was my first time dealing with crowns, I wasn't sure what was normal. I have called my dentist, and I will be seeing him first thing this morning.