Temporary dental cement is used to secure temporary dental restorations, such as crowns or bridges, for a limited period until a permanent restoration can be placed. It acts as a temporary adhesive, protecting the prepared tooth and maintaining proper tooth alignment and bite function.
Using temporary dental cement, especially for temporary crowns, involves a precise sequence of steps to ensure the restoration is secure, functional, and comfortable for the patient.
Step 1: Prepare the Tooth and Temporary Restoration
Before applying the cement, both the prepared tooth and the inside of the temporary crown or bridge must be meticulously cleaned and dried. This ensures optimal adhesion and prevents contamination.
- Clean the Prepared Tooth: Remove any debris or previous cement residue from the tooth structure.
- Dry the Tooth: Ensure the tooth surface is dry to allow the cement to bond effectively. Saliva control is crucial here.
- Prepare the Temporary Restoration: Clean the inside surface of the temporary crown or bridge.
Step 2: Apply the Cement to the Temporary
Temporary dental cements often come in auto-mix syringes or require manual mixing of a base and catalyst paste.
- Dispense/Mix Cement: Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the specific type of temporary cement being used. If it's a two-paste system, mix thoroughly until a uniform consistency is achieved. For auto-mix systems, simply dispense directly.
- Load the Temporary: Apply a small, even amount of the mixed or dispensed cement to the inside surface of the temporary crown or bridge. Avoid overfilling, as excessive cement can be harder to clean and potentially irritate the gums.
Step 3: Seat the Temporary Crown
Carefully position the temporary crown over the prepared tooth.
- Positioning: Align the temporary crown correctly over the prepared tooth, ensuring it slides into place smoothly.
- Seating: Gently but firmly press the temporary crown down until it is fully seated.
- Excess Cement Indication: Once you see the temporaries over the teeth, you want to make sure that there is some excess cement coming out. This visible excess indicates that the temporary is fully seated and that the entire internal surface of the crown has been filled with cement, creating a good seal.
Step 4: Check the Bite and Clean Up
After the temporary is seated, the next crucial steps involve checking its fit and removing excess material.
- Bite Check: If the patient isn't over salivating, you can quickly check their bite. This step is vital to ensure the temporary crown does not interfere with the patient's occlusion (how their upper and lower teeth meet). An improper bite can lead to discomfort, damage to the temporary, or even jaw pain.
- Instruct the patient to gently bite down.
- Check for any high spots or interferences. If present, adjustments may be needed before the cement fully sets.
- Remove Excess Cement: Once the temporary is secure and the bite is checked, carefully remove any excess cement that has extruded around the margins of the temporary. This is typically done with dental instruments like explorers or scalers, and dental floss for interproximal areas. Removing all excess cement is important to prevent gum irritation and plaque accumulation.
Key Indicators of Proper Temporary Cement Application
Ensuring a successful temporary restoration depends on observing key indicators during the placement process:
- Visible Excess Cement: As noted, seeing cement extrude from around the margins of the temporary crown confirms it is fully seated and adequately filled with cement.
- Stable Bite: A quick bite check confirms that the temporary crown aligns correctly with the opposing teeth, ensuring comfort and proper function.
Important Considerations
- Patient Instructions: Always provide patients with clear instructions on how to care for their temporary restoration, including what foods to avoid and how to clean around it.
- Setting Time: Be aware of the cement's working and setting times. Work efficiently to seat the temporary and check the bite before the cement fully hardens.
Temporary Restorations
