Skip site navigation
Post-Cementation Instructions
A restoration (crown, laminate, inlay, onlay) has been cemented to your natural tooth with the use of an adhesive. The adhesive, and/or the tooth cleansing process prior to cementation, may result in a sensitive tooth. The discomfort or sensitivity may be brought on by hot/cold foods and liquids, or chewing. This is normal for the first 2 or 3 days and may take weeks to subside. This discomfort or sensitivity should decrease over time. If there are no signs of improvement, please inform our office so we can either make an adjustment or attempt to desensitize the tooth.
Following the cementation procedure, the gingival tissues (gums) are usually irritated and may be sore for 2 or 3 days. We ask that you take the analgesic prescribed, which has anti-inflammatory effects, for a few days until the tissues have healed. You may also use Listerine or warm salt water rinses (1 tsp of salt in a cup of warm water) several times a day.
Please use an extra soft or sensitive toothbrush to gently brush from the gum to the tooth in a sweeping motion. Do not use any electric tooth brushing devices for the first week. Do not brush vigorously, sideways or against the gum. This will only cause further irritation and recession of the gingival tissues.
Please do not brush with any baking soda, peroxide, or abrasive toothpaste.
Please do not floss for the first two days. Once you begin flossing, do not press the floss against the gum. Gently curve the floss around each tooth and move the floss up and down between the tooth and gums as high or as low as it will comfortably go beneath the gum line.
Please do not use any home bleaching agents for one week.
Schedule your regular maintenance visits and please remember that the restoration placed needs to be cleaned with dental instruments and does not need to be polished or air abraded, as do natural teeth during dental cleanings.
We hope that you will contribute to the longevity of this restoration by brushing and flossing.
Patients with Provisional Restorations
Provisional crowns, bridges, veneers, inlays and onlays are usually made of plastic and are cemented to the teeth with a temporary cement. Adjacent units are often connected to each other. Since they are both fragile and can come loose more easily than metal or porcelain, we advise caution when eating or cleaning.
Avoid chewing anything excessively hard, tough or sticky. Chewing gum will stick to and dislodge temporary restorations. Keep them clean. Brush thoroughly. If you use dental floss, let go of one end and pull the floss through to the cheek side. Do not “pop” the floss out from between the teeth. When you use a toothpick, be a little more gentle than usual, so as not to pry them loose.
If they should break or come loose, save them and call our office to come in for repair or recementing. Don’t panic. It’s not an emergency, but it should be done within a few days. You may push them back into place temporarily and call our office to have them cleaned and recemented. If a tooth becomes sensitive it might be a sign that the provisional has loosened, or the bite may be high and should be evaluated.
If you will be wearing provisional restorations for several months, unless otherwise instructed, you should have them recemented and checked periodically.