Can I Eat Pizza with a Temporary Crown?

What Is a Temporary Crown?

A temporary crown, also known as a provisional crown. It is a temporary restoration that dentists in Phoenix employ to protect a prepared tooth until a permanent dental crown can be made and placed. Temporary crowns typically feature acrylic or composite materials designed to provide short-term coverage and protection for the tooth.

How Dentists Use Temporary Crowns

A local dentist near you may employ provisional crowns to serve several important purposes:

• Protection – to help protect the underlying structure of the prepared tooth in preparation for a permanent restoration. The provisional crown prevents sensitivity, damage, or infection while waiting for permanent restoration.
• Function – they provide temporary stability and functionality to the tooth, allowing you to continue normal chewing and speaking while the permanent restoration is being fabricated.
• Aesthetics – even temporary crowns resemble the shape and color of the natural tooth. While not as esthetically pleasing as the final crown, they can maintain your smile’s appearance during the waiting period.

When Do You Need a Temporary Crown?

Not every patient receives a temporary crown during their treatment at Brookstone Dental Care. Instead, the crown is suitable for the following instances:

• Between dental appointments – once a tooth has been prepared for a permanent dental crown, the dental laboratory may take about two weeks to fabricate the final crown. In the interim, a temporary crown protects the tooth and provides temporary function and aesthetics.
• Following root canal treatment, the tooth structure may be weakened and more susceptible to damage after a root canal procedure. A temporary crown helps provide immediate protection and support until a permanent crown can be made.
• Protecting a fragile tooth – a cracked, fractured, or tooth with a sizeable filling that needs replacement may benefit from a temporary crown for stability and protection from further damage until the final restoration is ready.
• Cosmetic reasons – sometimes dentists use a temporary crown for patients undergoing cosmetic dental procedures such as porcelain veneers or dental implants. The temporary crown can maintain its appearance while waiting for permanent restoration.

Foods to Avoid Eating With Temporary Dental Crowns

Before you leave the dental office with a temporary crown, your local dentist will give you a set of instructions to guide you during the period of having the crown. Certain foods that can potentially damage or dislodge the crown should be off your food list for the temporal period. Some of the foods to avoid include:

• Sticky or chewy foods like candies, caramels, chewing gum, and similar foods – can pull on the crown or get stuck to it, potentially loosening it.
• Hard and crunchy foods – exert excessive pressure on the temporary crown. Examples include hard candies, nuts, popcorn, ice cubes, and bread crusts.
• Hot foods and drinks – can cause the temporary crown to expand or warp, potentially compromising its fit or integrity. Instead of eating hot foods, allow them to cool to a comfortable temperature before consuming them.
• Tough or chewy meats like steak or tough cuts of beef – put excessive force on the temporary crown and increase the risk of damage or dislodgment.
• Foods that require biting into – like whole apples or carrots. Instead, cut them into small, manageable pieces and chew them with your back teeth.
• Carbonated and alcoholic beverages – may cause discomfort or sensitivity around the crown area.

Is Pizza a Safe Food When You Have a Temporary Crown?

Pizza very easily falls into hard, sticky, or chewy foods. Therefore, eating pizza may increase the risk of dislodging or damaging the temporary crown. If you doubt it, consult the dentist near you about specific foods.

What to Eat with Temporary Crown?

Some recommended foods to eat with a temporary crown are:

• Soft foods that require minimal chewings, such as mashed potatoes, cooked vegetables, soups, scrambled eggs, yogurt, and smoothies
• Tender and easily chewable meats like chicken, fish, or ground meats. Cooked or shredded meats that are moist and easy to break apart can be a good option.
• Soft and cooked grains like rice, quinoa, or couscous – provide nourishment without straining the crown.
• Soft varieties of fruits and vegetables, such as bananas, berries, steamed vegetables, or cooked apples
• Cooked pasta, noodles, or softer grains like oatmeal