Dental Crowns & Fillings San Diego

Keep it — do not throw it away, as it can often be re-cemented. Rinse it, store it somewhere safe, and call us; this is usually a quick fix rather than an emergency. Do not use superglue, which contaminates the fitting surface and can turn a re-cementable crown into a remake. Until you are seen, chew on the other side and keep the exposed tooth clean; it may be sensitive to cold. What we check at that visit is why it came off, because a crown that loosened because of decay underneath needs more than re-cementing.

Yes, and this surprises people. The restoration itself cannot decay, but the natural tooth at its margin — the join where restoration meets tooth, right at the gumline — absolutely can. That margin is where recurrent decay almost always starts, and it is often invisible until it is well established, which is why we X-ray restored teeth periodically rather than just looking at them. Flossing matters more around crowns and fillings than around untouched teeth, not less.

Mild cold sensitivity for a few days up to a couple of weeks is normal — the tooth is settling after being drilled and the nerve is briefly irritated. What is not normal is sharp pain when you bite down, which usually means the filling is a fraction high and your bite is landing on it first. That is a two-minute adjustment and there is no reason to endure it. Also worth calling about: sensitivity that is getting worse rather than better after two weeks, or pain that lingers well after the cold is gone.

With a white composite filling, straight away — it is fully set before you leave. With a crown, wait about an hour before eating and avoid anything very sticky for the first 24 hours while the cement fully cures. The bigger limitation is the anaesthetic: while your lip and tongue are numb you cannot feel how hard you are biting, and biting your own cheek is the most common way people hurt themselves after a routine appointment. Give it two to three hours, or stick to something soft and lukewarm.