Temporary Crowns

Dental prosthetics is a process that requires time. Between the first visit to the dentist and the installation of the final construction, it usually takes from several days to two weeks.

A temporary dental crown is used so that the patient does not experience discomfort during this period. A temporary crown is an orthopedic construction that is installed on a preliminarily ground tooth or implant for the period of manufacturing a permanent prosthesis.

Patients in our clinic often ask: a temporary dental crown — what is it, a mandatory stage or an unnecessary waste of money? In fact, it is a full-fledged functional element of treatment.

Some believe that this stage can be skipped, especially if the tooth is not located in the smile zone. However, the necessity of a temporary crown is determined not only by aesthetics, but also by medical indications.

Let us examine in detail why temporary crowns are needed:

Protection of the prepared tooth

When the doctor prepares a tooth for a crown, he removes the upper layer of enamel. As a result, dentin (the inner tissue of the tooth) remains unprotected.

Sensitivity

Without enamel, the tooth reacts extremely sharply to cold, hot, sour, and sweet. Temporary crowns on implants isolate tissues from external irritants.

Protection from bacteria

A prepared tooth is vulnerable to caries. The crown hermetically closes the tooth stump, preventing infection of the tissues under the future prosthesis.

Psychological comfort

The patient does not need to be ashamed of their smile or avoid communication while the technician creates the final masterpiece from ceramics.

Prevention of tooth displacement

The dental arch is a dynamic system. As soon as free space appears between the teeth or the height of one of them changes, neighboring teeth begin to “tilt” toward the empty space, and the antagonist tooth on the opposite jaw begins to move forward toward it.

Gum shaping before implantation

After implant placement, soft tissues may subside. The necessity of a temporary crown lies in creating the correct contour of soft tissues: due to the convex base, it gently pushes the gum apart, forming a neat socket. This makes it possible to avoid “black triangles” and achieve the effect of natural tooth eruption.

Let us consider the main categories of temporary crowns:

Plastic / Acrylic temporary crowns

This is the most common and budget option of “fast” prosthetics. Most often, temporary acrylic crowns are made directly in the dentist’s chair (clinical method) or in a laboratory based on an impression.

• Aesthetics: temporary plastic crowns imitate the color of the tooth well, but over time may become dull.
• Service life: designed for a short period (from 2 weeks to 1 month).
• Pros: a temporary acrylic crown is installed at a budget price, ease of correction (the doctor can quickly grind or build up the crown).
• Cons: porous structure (absorbs dyes and odors), low strength, a possible allergic reaction to the plastic monomer.

Composite temporary crowns

A temporary crown made of composite is a modern and aesthetic alternative to ordinary plastic. They are made from materials close in composition to light-cured fillings.

• Strength: significantly stronger than acrylic, less prone to chipping.
• Aesthetics: have a pleasant shine and translucency, as close as possible to natural enamel.
• Comfort: composite for temporary crowns gives less shrinkage during curing, therefore the crown fits more precisely and irritates the gum less.
• Pros: minimal risk of allergy, high wear resistance, do not absorb plaque as much as acrylic.
• Cons: cost more than ordinary plastic crowns.

Milled long-term temporary crowns (PMMA)

A milled temporary crown belongs to the premium segment of temporary prosthetics. It is indispensable when a permanent prosthesis cannot be installed quickly (for example, during implantation, when it is necessary to wait 3–6 months)/

• Precision: ideal fit to the gum margins, which eliminates inflammation.
• Durability: a long-term temporary crown can be worn from 6 months to one year without loss of properties.
• Strength: the material is very dense and almost has no pores.
• Pros: the highest aesthetics, color stability, possibility of long-term wear without harm to the gums.
• Cons: high cost and the need for a laboratory stage (manufacturing takes from 1 day).

Temporary butterfly crown (immediate prosthesis)

This is a special type of construction that is used not to protect a prepared tooth, but to replace a completely missing tooth during the period of gum healing (for example, after extraction or implant placement).

• Construction: the temporary butterfly crown is equipped with “wings” made of pink plastic or nylon, which wrap around neighboring teeth, holding the construction in place. Externally, it resembles a butterfly.
• Removable construction: the patient can (and should) remove it for hygiene.
• Function: primarily aesthetic (to close the “hole” in the smile); chewing on it is not recommended.
• Price: the price of a temporary butterfly crown is usually higher than that of a simple temporary crown, since it is a micro-prosthesis requiring impressions and the work of a dental technician.
• Pros: no need to grind neighboring teeth, allows immediate masking of the defect after extraction.
• Cons: requires adaptation, may be felt as a foreign body in the mouth.

Temporary crowns on an implant

When is a temporary crown placed on an implant:

• Immediately (0–3 days): with immediate implantation (in the smile zone).
• After 3–6 months: after implant osseointegration, before installing the permanent tooth.

Why a temporary crown is needed during implantation:

• Gum: forms a beautiful, even edge of soft tissues (so that the tooth looks natural).
• Aesthetics: closes the gap in the dental arch.
• Load: gradually prepares the bone and muscles for chewing.

How much does it cost?

The price of a temporary crown on an implant is always lower than that of a permanent one, since it is made of plastic (acrylic or composite). The cost depends on the manufacturing method: ordinary plastic is cheaper, milled on a 3D machine (PMMA) is more expensive and stronger.

Manufacturing a temporary crown is a jewelry-level job that can be performed either directly in the doctor’s chair or in a specialized laboratory. The choice of method depends on aesthetic requirements and the wearing period.

Direct method of manufacturing temporary crowns

This is the fastest method: the doctor creates the construction directly in the patient’s mouth.

How is a temporary crown placed?

 Before tooth preparation or implant placement, a silicone impression key is made. After the surgical stage, fast-hardening plastic (composite) is poured into this impression, and it is placed back on. After a couple of minutes, the material hardens, taking the shape of the tooth.

• Pros: speed, low price.
• Cons: the material is more porous and may change color faster.

Indirect (laboratory) method

The crown is made by a dental technician outside the oral cavity.

How does this happen?

 The doctor takes impressions and sends them to the laboratory. There, the technician casts a plaster model and models the crown on it (often using 3D technologies — CAD/CAM).

• Pros: high strength, ideal fit, and aesthetics (indistinguishable from a real tooth).
• Cons: several days are required for manufacturing.

1. Impressions: taking dental impressions.
2. Creation: manufacturing the construction by the selected method.
3. Try-in: checking the bite closure.
4. Fixation: screw fixation to the implant or fixation of the crown with temporary cement to the abutment.
5. Grinding: bite adjustment and polishing.

Time: installation of the finished product takes 20–30 minutes.

How long a temporary crown lasts depends on the material from which it is made and the clinical situation.

Ordinary plastic crowns (acrylic): 2–4 weeks. This time is sufficient while the laboratory is manufacturing the permanent construction. It is not recommended to wear them longer than one month, since plastic is porous, absorbs odors, and wears out quickly.

Milled crowns (PMMA): manufactured on CAD/CAM machines from dense polymethyl methacrylate blocks.

The service life of temporary crowns is from 3 to 6 months, and in some cases (for example, during long-term implantation or TMJ treatment), the doctor may allow wearing up to 1 year.

Since the crown is fixed with temporary cement, it holds less securely than a permanent one. To prevent it from falling out or breaking, it is important to follow proper care for temporary crowns.

Dietary recommendations (what is not allowed with a temporary crown):

Nutrition:

• Exclude sticky foods: chewing gum, toffees, caramel (can remove the crown).
• Limit hard foods: nuts, crackers, seeds. Do not bite whole apples or carrots.
• Temperature regime: avoid contrast of hot and cold (coffee with ice cream) to prevent cracks.

Hygiene and Care:

• Gentle brushing: a medium-hard toothbrush without strong pressure.
• Special floss: do not pull the floss upward — pull it out only from the side so as not to catch the crown.
• Color protection: limit coffee, tea, and wine (plastic darkens quickly).
• Rinsing: rinse the mouth with water after each meal.

Important: if the temporary crown has fallen out or cracked, do not try to glue it yourself (especially with household glue!). Place it in a container and contact a doctor as soon as possible — the exposed tooth may begin to hurt or shift, which will complicate the installation of the permanent crown.

Falling out ordetachment

Why this happens: temporary cement is deliberately made weak. The crown can be “removed” by sticky foods (toffees, chewing gum), intensive brushing, or saliva.

Your actions:

1. Save the crown. Rinse it and place it in a container.
2. No glue. Using household glue is prohibited — it is toxic and destroys the tooth.
3. Urgently see a doctor. Without a crown, the gum may deform and the tooth may shift. If delayed, the permanent crown may not fit.

Darkening and staining

Do temporary crowns turn yellow? Yes, this is a material feature.

Why a temporary crown darkens:

• Reasons: porous plastic easily absorbs dyes (coffee, wine, tobacco). A dark margin near the gum may indicate plaque accumulation or loss of seal.
• What to do: home cleaning will not help. If aesthetics are important, the doctor can polish the crown or replace it.

The price for the simplest temporary crown starts on average from 800–1,200 UAH. This refers to an ordinary plastic product that the doctor manufactures using the direct method in the office.

If we consider more aesthetic and durable options, temporary crowns with a higher cost are manufactured in a laboratory. A composite laboratory crown will cost 1,500–2,500 UAH. It is stronger and better imitates a natural tooth.

For long-term wear (up to six months), a milled option is recommended. The price of such a temporary crown (Kyiv) ranges from 2,000 to 3,200 UAH. It is created on a digital machine from a durable PMMA block and fits perfectly to the tooth tissues.

The price of a temporary crown on an implant is significantly higher and averages 2,500–4,500 UAH. This difference is explained by the need to use special adapters (temporary abutments) and a more complex fixation protocol.

As a result, answering the question of how much a temporary crown on a tooth costs, one should rely on a budget from 800 to 4,500 UAH per unit, depending on your clinical situation.

Our clinic in Kyiv offers a premium approach to prosthetics:

• Digital modeling (CAD/CAM): we create aesthetic crowns indistinguishable from real teeth, with perfect accuracy.
• High-quality materials: durable polymers retain shape and color throughout the entire wearing period.
• Comfort and painlessness of treatment: we use modern anesthesia methods and gentle preparation protocols.

Installation of a Temporary Crown on a Tooth or Implant in Kyiv

If you need the installation of a temporary crown on a tooth or implant, Crystal Dent specialists will perform the procedure quickly, safely, and aesthetically. Sign up for a consultation and receive an individual restoration plan.