Full-fledged porcelain crowns can last patients for decades under the right circumstances. But how long do temporary dental crowns last? What is the difference? And when do you need them? Below, we cover the usual lifespan of temporary crowns and what to do if yours does not last as long as it should.

Dental Crowns versus Permanent Crowns

As the name suggests, temporary dental crowns are not meant as a final solution. Think of them like a spare tire. It will get you to the mechanic, but it will not win any races. Permanent crowns will be custom-made and designed to look and feel like a natural part of your smile.

Temporary crowns usually consist of an inexpensive material, like resin. Resin still allows for some stability, and it does have good durability. But the material works better for small fixes like fillings, which can last for years. Sometimes, a temporary crown could even consist of wax.

Permanent crowns will often have porcelain as the main component. Porcelain looks great, and it lasts for years. However, it can take several days for the dental lab to fabricate it.

How Long Do Temporary Dental Crowns Last?

Generally, patients will only need their temporary crown for 2 weeks (3 at most). By this point, your dentist should have your permanent crown ready.

A temporary crown could technically last beyond this brief period. However, the longer you wear a temporary crown, the greater the risk of damage. The crown could wear down, weaken, and even break when biting.

So while you could theoretically have a temporary crown last for a month (or a few), you will only need it for a couple of weeks. Simply come in and receive your permanent crown. It will look and feel better than a temporary crown.

When Would I Need a Temporary Crown?

Patients could need a temporary crown for a few reasons. A temporary crown’s purpose is to provide stability until a permanent solution can be found. In most cases, this will mean a permanent crown.

Patients may need a crown in situations like:

A weak tooth is at risk of breaking.
A large filling has fallen out.
A portion of the tooth has broken off.
A tooth has been treated with a root canal.

How to Avoid Damaging a Temporary Crown?

A temporary crown can handle some wear. However, patients should still take good care of them. Accordingly, we do recommend staying mindful of a few habits. These include:

Diet: Keep away from hard or sticky foods until you receive your permanent crown. In extreme cases, the wrong food item could break or remove the temporary crown. Your dentist should provide you with a list of examples of foods to avoid.
Sugar Intake: Sugary foods and drinks could let sugar into the gaps under your crown. Even brushing your teeth might not clear that out. It could then lead to decay or bacterial buildup under the crown.
Physical Activity: Contact sports or extreme sports could well see your crown knocked out or broken. We recommend pausing such activities until you have your permanent crown. Once you do, then you may also want to consider wearing a sports guard.

What If I Broke My Temporary Crown?

Knowing how long do dental crowns last might not be enough. Sometimes, you could have a damaged crown. First of all, we assure you that you need not panic. However, timely action will indeed work in your favor. Going a few hours without your temporary crown should not cause any notable issues.

Still, you will want your dentist to replace it sooner rather than later. The good news is that many dentists can replace a temporary crown within a day.

Steps to Take

If you have a broken temporary crown, you can take the following steps.

You can contact your dentist to see if you need a same-day appointment. You can discuss what happened and if you have any pain. Based on the situation, they may recommend coming in that same day.
Keep the exposed tooth clean with salt water rinses. This can help minimize the risks posed by exposure to bacteria.
Avoid chewing or biting down until you replace your crown. With a same-day appointment, you may also want to avoid food until treatment. Your dentist will inform you accordingly.
Bring the damaged crown with you. Depending on the situation, your dentist may simply repair it or reattach it.

Visit Riverside’s Top-Rated Dentist

At Cleopatra Dental, you can work with a leading dentist specializing in dental restorations, including crowns. Call our office to set up your visit today.