Urgent dental care · Open today
Temporary Crown Repairs
A temporary crown that has come loose, cracked or fallen out leaves a prepared tooth exposed and sensitive. We refit or replace it the same day so the tooth is protected until your permanent crown is ready.
Same-day appointments · No registration required · Evenings & weekends
What this treatment is
Your tooth protected again until the permanent crown fits
After a tooth is prepared for a crown, a temporary is fitted to protect it while the permanent one is made. Temporaries are held with a deliberately weak cement so they can be removed easily, which means sticky food, hard bites or grinding can dislodge or break them. An uncovered prepared tooth can become very sensitive, the teeth either side can drift into the space, and the gum can grow over the edge, which can stop the permanent crown fitting. At your appointment we clean the tooth and the temporary, check both for damage, and either recement it or make a new one in the chair.
- Same-day repair — a loose temporary is recemented, and a broken one is replaced at the same appointment.
- Sensitivity settled — covering the prepared tooth again stops the sharp pain from cold, air and sweet food.
- Your permanent crown still fits — the tooth and the space are held in position, so the crown your dentist ordered still seats correctly.
Signs you need it
Come in if your temporary crown has any of these
If you still have the temporary, keep it safe in a clean container and bring it with you. Do not use superglue or household adhesives to refit it yourself.
It has fallen out
01
The temporary came off while eating or brushing, leaving the prepared tooth uncovered.
It feels loose or moves
02
The crown rocks when you bite or press it with your tongue, or food is getting underneath.
It has cracked or chipped
03
Part of the temporary has broken away, leaving a sharp edge or an exposed area of tooth.
The tooth is sensitive
04
Sharp pain from cold drinks, air or sweet food on a tooth that is waiting for its permanent crown.
The gum is sore or bleeding
05
The gum around the tooth is tender, swollen or bleeds when you brush near the crown.
Your bite feels wrong
06
The temporary feels high when you close, or your teeth no longer meet the way they did.
What to expect
How the temporary crown is repaired
Assessment
STEP 01
We look at the prepared tooth, the gum and the temporary, and check for decay, fracture or anything that needs attention.
Cleaning the tooth
STEP 02
Old cement and debris are cleared from the tooth and from inside the temporary so it can seat fully again.
Refitting or remaking
STEP 03
An intact temporary is recemented. If it is broken or lost, a new one is made in the chair, usually in under half an hour.
Checking the bite
STEP 04
We adjust the height so your bite feels normal, smooth any rough edges and confirm the tooth is fully covered.
Price & appointment length
repair, from
The fee covers the assessment, cleaning, and recementing your temporary crown or making a new one. If the tooth needs any further treatment, it is quoted and confirmed with you before we start.
| Appointment length | 20–40 minutes |
| Recementing | Included |
| New temporary if needed | Included |
| Bite adjustment | Included |
| Registration | Not required |
Questions
Before you come in
Not sure whether it can wait? Call the practice and describe what has happened, and we will tell you how soon to come in.
Can I leave it until my permanent crown appointment?
If that appointment is only a day or two away and the tooth is comfortable, it may be fine. Any longer and the teeth can shift or the gum can grow over the edge, which can stop the permanent crown fitting. Call and we will advise.
Can I glue it back on myself?
Not with superglue or household adhesive, as these can damage the tooth and make the crown hard to remove. Temporary dental cement from a pharmacy can hold it for a short time, but have it checked and refitted properly.
I did not have the crown done with you. Can you still help?
Yes. We regularly repair temporaries placed by other practices. We will refit or replace it so the tooth is protected, and you return to your usual dentist for the permanent crown.
Will it hurt?
Usually not. The prepared tooth can be sensitive while it is uncovered, so we can numb it first if you need us to. Most repairs are comfortable without anaesthetic.
How do I stop it coming off again?
Avoid chewing gum, toffee and other sticky or hard foods on that side, and slide floss out sideways rather than pulling it up. If you grind your teeth at night, mention it so we can take that into account.
In pain today?
Call the clinic or book online. New patients are welcome, and no registration is required.