Temporary dental crown typically costs $150-$300 at our office. This includes making and placing temporary crown to protect tooth while permanent crown is being fabricated (takes 2-3 weeks). Temporary crown is necessary when your original crown cannot be re-cemented due to damage, poor fit, or underlying decay. It protects exposed tooth from sensitivity, prevents food from getting stuck, maintains space so adjacent teeth don’t shift, and allows you to chew comfortably. Some dentists include temporary crown cost in total crown fee ($800-$1,500 for complete crown replacement). If your original crown is intact and fits properly, we can often re-cement it same day for only $50-$150 avoiding need for temporary or new crown entirely.

For emergency temporary use only, over-the-counter dental cements like Dentemp or Recapit can hold crown in place for day or two until you can see dentist. These products are available at most pharmacies and are designed specifically for dental use (unlike super glue which is toxic). Clean both crown and tooth thoroughly, apply small amount of cement, seat crown firmly, and bite down gently. However, these are TEMPORARY solutions only – they don’t create proper seal allowing bacteria to penetrate underneath. They often don’t hold crown securely during eating. Professional dental cement used by dentists creates much stronger, longer-lasting bond and proper seal protecting tooth from decay. Never use household glues or adhesives on dental work. Call us at (410) 987-1600 for same-day professional crown re-cementing.

If dental crown breaks or falls out, you can use temporary measures until seeing dentist: Save the crown and bring to appointment. Use over-the-counter dental cement (Dentemp, Recapit) to temporarily hold crown in place – clean crown and tooth first, apply small amount of cement, seat crown carefully. Avoid chewing on that side. Stick to soft foods. Take ibuprofen for pain and sensitivity. DO NOT use super glue or household adhesives (toxic if swallowed and prevent proper professional repair). These temporary fixes should last only 1-2 days maximum. Call us immediately for same-day professional repair. Prolonged use of temporary cement allows bacteria underneath causing decay and infection. Broken crowns cannot protect tooth properly and tooth can fracture further requiring extraction instead of simple crown replacement.

When filling falls out, call us immediately at (410) 987-1600 for same-day or next-day appointment. While waiting: Rinse mouth with warm salt water to clean area. Take ibuprofen for pain and sensitivity. Avoid chewing on affected side. Don’t eat very hot, cold, or sweet foods that trigger sensitivity. Keep area clean by brushing gently and rinsing after meals. If you find the filling (unlikely as they often break or get swallowed), save it but know we’ll place new filling. DON’T try to replace filling yourself with drugstore temporary filling material – these don’t seal properly and allow decay. DON’T pack cavity with gum, wax, or other materials. Get professional filling replacement within 24-48 hours to prevent bacteria from causing decay and infection in exposed tooth.

Yes, pharmacies like Walgreens, CVS, and Dollar General sell temporary tooth filling materials (Dentemp, Temparin) in dental care section. These cost $5-$15 and can provide very short-term protection for lost filling until you see dentist. However, these products are meant for EMERGENCY temporary use only (1-2 days maximum), not as substitute for professional dental care. Temporary filling materials don’t bond to tooth like professional fillings, don’t seal properly allowing bacterial penetration, fall out easily during eating, and don’t restore proper tooth strength or shape. They’re useful if you lose filling Friday night and can’t see dentist until Monday, but should be replaced with professional filling as soon as possible. Prolonged use allows decay to develop in exposed tooth. Call (410) 987-1600 for same-day professional filling replacement.

No, absolutely do NOT use super glue (cyanoacrylate adhesive) or any household glue to reattach dental crown. Super glue is toxic if swallowed and can cause serious harm to oral tissues. It creates incorrect crown positioning leading to bite problems and jaw pain. It bonds so strongly that dentist cannot remove crown without damaging it and tooth, making professional repair impossible. It doesn’t create proper seal allowing bacteria underneath causing decay. Use ONLY dental-specific temporary cement from pharmacy (Dentemp) for emergency temporary hold until seeing dentist. Better yet, call us at (410) 987-1600 for same-day professional crown re-cementing using proper biocompatible dental cement. Professional re-cementing costs only $50-$150 and creates proper seal and fit. Using super glue can turn simple $50 re-cementing into $800-$1,500 crown replacement if crown and tooth are damaged.

Ibuprofen helps dental pain from lost filling because it’s anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID) that reduces both pain and inflammation around exposed nerve. When filling falls out, tooth’s inner dentin and possibly nerve become exposed causing inflammation and sensitivity. Ibuprofen reduces this inflammation more effectively than acetaminophen (Tylenol) which only blocks pain without addressing inflammation. Take 400-600mg every 6 hours (don’t exceed 2400mg per day). Combine with cold compress on outside of face for additional relief. However, ibuprofen only masks symptoms temporarily – it doesn’t fix exposed tooth or prevent decay and infection from developing. If you need ibuprofen for more than 1-2 days, call us at (410) 987-1600 for professional filling replacement. Exposed tooth without proper filling will eventually become infected requiring more expensive root canal instead of simple filling replacement.

For very short-term temporary protection (1-2 days), you can use over-the-counter temporary filling material from pharmacy (Dentemp, Temparin). These products are designed specifically for emergency dental use. Clean area thoroughly, dry it, press small amount of material into cavity following package directions, and bite down to shape it. This provides temporary protection until you can see dentist. DO NOT put: sugar-free gum (doesn’t seal and traps bacteria), wax or candle wax (not meant for oral use), cotton or tissue (promotes infection), food (obvious problem), super glue or household adhesives (toxic). DO NOT leave cavity unfilled for extended period – bacteria will penetrate causing decay and infection. Call (410) 987-1600 for same-day professional filling replacement with BPA-free composite that actually seals tooth and prevents further damage.

Dentemp and Recapit are the most effective over-the-counter dental cements available at pharmacies for temporary crown or filling repair. Both products are designed specifically for dental use and are relatively safe if small amounts are swallowed (unlike household glues). They provide temporary hold for 1-2 days until you can see dentist. However, even the “strongest” OTC dental cement is significantly weaker than professional dental cement used by dentists. OTC cements don’t create proper seal allowing bacterial penetration underneath, fall out easily during eating especially with sticky or hard foods, don’t bond as strongly to tooth, and can’t restore proper bite alignment. They’re meant for EMERGENCY temporary use only – not as substitute for professional repair. Call (410) 987-1600 for same-day professional crown re-cementing with proper biocompatible dental cement that creates lasting seal and bond.

To use Dentemp or similar temporary crown cement: Remove any old cement from inside crown and from tooth surface (clean thoroughly with toothbrush). Dry both crown and tooth as much as possible (moisture prevents bonding). Apply small amount of cement inside crown (don’t overfill). Seat crown onto tooth in correct position. Bite down firmly for 60 seconds to set cement. Remove excess cement from around edges with toothpick or floss. Wait 30 minutes before eating. Avoid sticky or hard foods. This temporary repair should last 1-2 days maximum. Call us immediately at (410) 987-1600 for professional crown re-cementing. Temporary cement doesn’t seal properly and allows bacteria underneath causing decay. Professional re-cementing costs only $50-$150 and provides proper seal lasting years instead of days.

No, lost filling should not be left untreated even if tooth doesn’t hurt currently. Lack of pain doesn’t mean tooth is fine. Exposed cavity allows bacteria to penetrate toward nerve causing infection over time (days to months depending on cavity size and location). Tooth without filling is weakened and can fracture during normal chewing requiring extraction instead of simple filling. Food packs into cavity promoting rapid decay. Opposing teeth may shift into space or tooth may move causing bite problems. Small filling replacement now ($150-$350) prevents expensive root canal ($800-$1,500) or extraction plus implant ($3,000-$5,000) later. Timeline varies – some exposed teeth become infected within days while others take months. Don’t gamble on timeline. Call (410) 987-1600 for filling replacement within 24-48 hours to prevent complications and higher costs.

Emergency steps for lost crown before dental visit: Call us immediately at (410) 987-1600 for same-day appointment. Save the crown and bring it to appointment (we can often re-cement it). Clean crown gently with water and toothbrush. If you need temporary hold, use over-the-counter dental cement (Dentemp) following package directions – not super glue. Take ibuprofen for pain and sensitivity. Avoid chewing on that side. Stick to soft foods. Don’t eat very hot or cold foods. Keep exposed tooth clean by brushing gently. Don’t delay getting crown re-cemented – exposed tooth is very weak and can fracture requiring extraction instead of simple crown replacement. Most crown re-cementing costs only $50-$150 and takes 15-30 minutes when crown is intact. Waiting can turn simple repair into $800-$1,500 crown replacement or worse.