We are now all together in this new reality, where we can no longer regularly receive patients, and our patients cannot get to their dentists any time they decide. For that reason, we have decided to share with you some advice on how to care for your prosthetic work, and when you need to call your dentist.
1) Temporary crowns – how to maintain then until you can visit your dentist?
Temporary crowns are teeth that are most often affixed using temporary cement to hold the crown temporarily in place. That means that this type of cementing enables simple removal of the tooth during trials or installing permanent crowns, but also presents a threat of unattachment.
Therefore, the recommendations for maintaining temporary crowns is as follows:
• maintain hygiene the same way as for natural teeth or permanent crowns,
• avoid pulling with floss or while using an interdental brush,
• avoid sticky foods such as hard candies or soft bread,
• avoid hard foods as they may cause the temporary crowns and bridges to come off or break.
2) Temporary teeth – what if they come loose?
Temporary teeth are removed when it is time to install the permanent teeth. For that reason, they are affixed with temporary cement. However, if these teeth become unattached in the meantime (which is possible as temporary cement is dissolved by saliva), you can try to reattach them. Before doing so, wash well in warm water and clean off cement.
If you are not able to return the temporary tooth and you are not able to come to the clinic, you can purchase temporary cement at the pharmacy and use it to reaffix the temporary teeth. Before doing it, be sure to clean any old cement from teeth using warm water.
3) Temporary prosthetics– maintenance tips
If you are not able to come to the clinic to have your prosthetic installed after three weeks, you will have to use denture adhesive cream (such as Corega).
Steps and tips on how to apply denture adhesive cream:
• apply adhesive cream at three sites on the denture: in the middle, on the right and left,
• three pea-sized dots are enough,
• if you have stitches, avoid the area where you have stitches.
The adhesive cream lasts about 6 hours. At first, it will feel strange to have the denture in your mouth, but don’t worry, it takes just a few days to get used to it. The typical initial feeling is that your mouth is full, especially if you have received an upper denture with palate, and if you have never worn dentures before.
You can more easily get accustomed to wearing dentures by practicing reading aloud – read a book or newspaper aloud.
4) Temporary dentures and implants
If you have received both implants and temporary dentures, wear the dentures as little as possible. When at home and you don’t need it, always take it out. Wear it only for aesthetic reasons when you need to be amongst people.
Steps for your temporary dentures before bed:
• remove dentures,
• clean them with a toothbrush and toothpaste,
• leave them in a glass with water (when not in the mouth, the dentures must be in liquid),
• once a week, leave dentures overnight in a glass with water and a Corega effervescent tablet for cleaning dentures.
Don’t forget: When the dentures are not in the mouth, they need to be in liquid.
5) Ceramic bridges – how should they be maintained?
Follow these tips in caring for ceramic bridges:
- When brushing, first brush using a circular motion, gently massaging the gums as you brush.
- At the end of brushing, pull the gums back (pull gums down in upper jaw and up in lower jaw). This will minimize any gum recession.
- Use oral irrigation (above all at the site where the implant is installed). Use every night before bed, after you brush. You can use water or mouthwash to irrigate, and position brush at a 45° angle to teeth, never direct. An interdental shower is the best way to clean the area between bridges and the gums, i.e. between the gums and the tooth structure.
- Floss (or use an interdental brush) where you can pass between the ceramic bridges.
If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us via e-mail or our Facebook page. We will add in the newest questions and answers to this text.
And don’t forget, we are here for any emergency cases for all Dentum patients!
E-mail:smile@dentum.com
TEL: +385 1 5802 333
DENMARK LINE:07667 05537
IRELAND LINE: 07877 2137
Number in case of emergency: 0038591 2999 333 or 0038591 2522 232
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