Temporary Restorations in Brentwood, CA

At Fairview Dental Brentwood, we believe that every step of your dental journey deserves precision and care. When you undergo a procedure that requires a custom-fabricated restoration—such as a crown, bridge, or inlay—there is typically a two-week period while a professional dental laboratory crafts your permanent piece. During this time, Dr. Thuc Luu places a Temporary Restoration to protect your tooth and maintain your smile’s function.

A temporary is not just a “placeholder”; it is a vital clinical tool that ensures your final result is successful, comfortable, and beautiful.

The Purpose of a Temporary Restoration

Many patients ask why a temporary is necessary. These short-term restorations serve several critical functions:

• Protection of the Dentin: When a tooth is prepared for a crown or bridge, the outer enamel is reduced, exposing the sensitive dentin. A temporary seals the tooth to prevent sensitivity to hot and cold.
• Maintaining Position: Teeth are constantly in motion. If a prepared tooth is left “open,” it or the surrounding teeth can shift by fractions of a millimeter. This would cause your permanent crown to not fit correctly.
• Gumboil Health: The temporary helps shape and support the gum tissue around the tooth, ensuring the gums are healthy and in the correct position when it’s time to seat the permanent restoration.
• Functional Chewing: It allows you to continue eating and speaking naturally while you wait for your final restoration.
• Trusted Resource: Learn more about the importance of dental crowns and temporaries from the American Dental Association.

What to Expect During the “Temporary Phase”

Because temporary restorations are designed to be removed easily by Dr. Luu, they are held in place with temporary cement. This means they require a bit of extra care compared to your natural teeth.

1. Appearance and Feel

Most temporaries are made of a tooth-colored acrylic or composite resin. While we match the shade to your natural teeth, keep in mind that the surface may feel slightly “rougher” to your tongue than your natural enamel or your final porcelain crown will.

2. Sensitivity

It is normal to experience some minor sensitivity to cold temperatures or slight gum tenderness for a few days after the tooth is prepared. This is usually due to the manipulation of the gum tissue and the tooth’s reaction to the shaping process.

How to Care for Your Temporary Restoration

To ensure your temporary stays in place and your gums stay healthy, follow these essential guidelines:

• Watch Your Diet: Avoid “sticky” or “chewy” foods (like gum, taffy, or caramel) which can pull the temporary off. Also, avoid very hard foods (like ice, raw carrots, or hard bread) that could crack the acrylic material.
• Floss with Caution: You should still floss around the temporary, but do not pull the floss back up through the contact point. Instead, slide the floss through and pull it out to the side to avoid “popping” the temporary off.
• Oral Hygiene: Continue to brush the area gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Keeping the gumline clean is essential for a smooth transition to your permanent restoration.
• Trusted Resource: See the CDC’s recommendations for oral hygiene to keep your gums healthy during restorative work.

What to Do If Your Temporary Comes Off

Since temporaries are held with light cement, they can occasionally become dislodged. If this happens to you in Brentwood:

1. Don’t Panic: This is not a dental emergency, but it does need to be addressed within 24–48 hours to prevent your teeth from shifting.
2. Call Our Office: Contact Fairview Dental Brentwood at (925) 240-7253. We will get you in quickly to re-cement it.
3. The “Home Fix”: If you cannot reach us immediately (such as over a weekend), you can find temporary dental cement at local Brentwood pharmacies (like CVS or Walgreens). You can also use a small dab of toothpaste or Vaseline inside the crown to hold it in place temporarily until you can see us. Never use superglue.

Why Choose Fairview Dental Brentwood?

Dr. Thuc Luu takes great pride in the quality of his “temporaries.” We believe that a well-fitting temporary leads to a better permanent result.

• Digital Accuracy: We use high-resolution imaging to ensure the margins of your temporary are as precise as possible.
• Custom Shaping: We adjust the bite of your temporary so it feels comfortable and doesn’t interfere with your natural jaw movement.
• Patient Education: We provide every patient with a detailed “Care Sheet” so you know exactly how to manage your smile between appointments.

Your Journey to a Permanent Smile Starts Here

Temporary restorations are the bridge to your new, stronger smile. At Fairview Dental Brentwood, we ensure every step of your restorative treatment—from the first prep to the final seat—is handled with the highest level of expertise.

Do you have questions about an upcoming restorative procedure?Contact us today at (925) 240-7253, book online, or visit our office in the Shops at Fairview.