Dental treatment

I was just about to have a crown put on a molar when the dental surgeries closed because of coronavirus. I spoke by phone to the dentist who said that the temporary crown “should be alright”, but was not very convincing. Does anyone know how long a temporary crown is viable (this crisis could go on for months)?

[10gingercats]

I had a temp. filling for 7 months while pregnant as they need ed to take an ex ray and were reluctant to do it. It lasted well.A filling is prob. more fragile than a temp crown so I guess you will be ok.

[Hidden in reply to 10gingercats]

That’s reassuring- thanks!

[jeanjeannie50]

I'd buy yourself one of those emergency dental repair kits from Boots or Superdrug. Then if the temporary cap comes off you can stick it back on again.

Jean

[10gingercats in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Never heard of such a thing! I live and learn every day.Thank you.

[fallingtopieces]

I was told there are people who never go back for the permanent one!

No toffee or hard crunchy food stuffs on that side in the meantime

[Hidden in reply to fallingtopieces]

Thanks!

[pusillanimous]

Can last for months - the most likely thing is that since it is in place with a temporary cement, it can loosen easily, it is important that if it does come out that it is cemented back at once, as the prepared tooth can move and the permanent crown will not fit - ask your dentist for some temporary cement so that should the temp. come out you can put it back. Don't forget to clean out the old cement inside so that the temp crown fits properly and does it's job!

[angell1950]

Hi - I had a deep filling fall out last weekend and was wondering how to get it fixed.

I phoned the dentist and he told me to get a temporary filling kit. You can get them on line - Boots chemist do them. The kit covers fillings and crowns. Hubby has done mine and made a grand job. I know it’s not permanent but it’s good.

[Hidden in reply to angell1950]

I’ve seen these kits. Problem is it’s a back upper molar and difficult to access. Also last time I swallowed the temporary crown. Wouldn’t the dentist put a temporary crown on to prevent toothache and the need for more involved treatment?

[angell1950 in reply to Hidden]

My dentist told me there is no face to face treatment being performed. They were trying to set up an emergency dental treatment centres but as of last weekend that had not happened.

If the crown falls out I’m sure you will find a way to fit it back in.

[Suanna]

Whenever I have had a temporary crown, the dentist has often had a difficult job getting it off, so you should be ok for a fair while.

[Catavellunii]

My crown has dropped out so I will now have to live with a stump for months I guess.

[FicusElastica]

I had a filling start to crack up just as the dentists closed. I got information about using a filling kit, and have done. (They can work. Advice to put them in before bed to given them overnight to harden up undisturbed is good, I think.) The trouble is that I think this filling was leaking already for some time before I detected it, and is already sensitive and a bit achey. I can't get any treatment; I can't get any antibiotics, either, as the doctor isn't allowed to prescribe antibiotics for dental purposes unless you have no other resource (ie are in agony) (by which time, your tooth is dying or dead) and the dentist isn't allowed to prescribe antibiotics for preventative reasons - and because they can't see me, they can't inspect the tooth!

I think this shutdown will go on for weeks maybe months, so I am worried. I have lost a tooth before like this, and all the advice is aimed at people who will "see their dentist as soon as possible", ie within a few days or a couple of weeks. There's no advice or action plan for people whose teeth may be exposed for weeks.

About crowns, the filler kits are supposed to also work as an adhesive for loose crowns. I have never had to try that, but it is worth a go. They don't harden all at once, and IIUS once they have hardened, they can't be easily removed. You can also buy actual plastic crowns, if you lose yours. I have seen them on ebay - no idea how good they are.

Good luck we don't know how vulnerable teeth are till we have nobody to treat them! I now understand all those old cartoons with people with bandaged faces and trying to take a tooth out by tying it with string to a brick. That was real life before the NHS.

[irene75359]

This isn't a recommendation, just a story about my late father. When he was in his late 80s his crown fell off and he had difficulty getting a dentist's appointment. When my mother next looked, there was his crown back in place. He had used very strong Araldite epoxy glue. It stayed in place until he eventually got to see the dentist who was convulsed with laughter, he had seen many things but not that!

[Morzine]

Don’t know the answer but I do sympathize with the anxiousness of not getting to dentist..I’ve cracked my tooth in a baguette...some are lethally crusty here....I’m hoping it doesn’t start hurting ........sue

[Desanthony]

I have had a temporary crown for about 3 months and had no problems with it. Afriend of mine had a crown come off and couldn't get to her dentist and believe this or not stuck it back with gorilla glue (!), honestly and it lasted a year. Her dentist was amazed when she came back from working abroad and showed him. I am not sure I would recommend this but just shows what can be done.

[Bolander]

When I was unable to get to the dentist last year due to a viral infection, much like Covid , the only problem was for the dentist who took several minutes to remove the temporary crown,

[Hidden]

I had a temporary crown in place for nearly 6 months because my dentist was out being treated for cancer. No problems with it whatsoever. I wish I could say the same for the permanent crown. I had constant pain because they left some of the cement under the gum. It eventually worked its way out. On future crowns I insisted on an xray to make sure it was all cleaned out, prior to leaving the office.