What are temporary fixes for a broken dental crown?

Temporary Fixes for Broken Dental Crowns

For a broken dental crown, immediately cover exposed dentin with temporary dental cement (zinc oxide-eugenol or glass ionomer) and seek dental care within a few days, while managing pain with NSAIDs and avoiding temperature extremes. 1

Immediate Pain Management

• Use ibuprofen as first-line pain control, with acetaminophen as an alternative when NSAIDs are contraindicated 1
• Apply cold compresses to reduce swelling and discomfort 1
• Avoid extremes of temperature with food and drink to prevent sensitivity 1
• Maintain a soft diet for the first 10 days after injury 1

Temporary Crown Protection Based on Fracture Type

Enamel-Only Fractures

• Smooth sharp edges if possible or leave untreated if the fracture site is smooth to touch 2
• These fractures cause minimal sensitivity and don't require immediate dental referral 2, 1
• Monitor for signs of pulpal necrosis (tooth discoloration, gum abscess) 2

Enamel and Dentin Fractures (Most Common Crown Breaks)

• Cover exposed dentin immediately to reduce discomfort and prevent bacterial contamination 2
• Use temporary dental cement if available - zinc oxide-eugenol provides pain relief, bacteriostatic properties, and good sealing 3
• Seek dental referral within a few days - the more sensitive the tooth, the more urgent the referral 2, 1
• If the crown fragment is available, store it properly in milk or saline for possible reattachment 1

Crown Fractures with Exposed Pulp (Complicated)

• Seek immediate same-day dental referral to preserve pulp vitality 2, 1
• Do not attempt temporary fixes beyond pain control - appropriate pulp therapy must be rendered by a dentist immediately 2
• Delaying referral can lead to pulpal necrosis 1

Temporary Cement Options (If Available)

Zinc oxide-eugenol cement is the preferred temporary material due to its pain-relieving, bacteriostatic, and sealing properties 3. However:

• Apply a protective liner or calcium hydroxide base over exposed dentin before using zinc oxide-eugenol to prevent pulpal irritation 4
• Avoid zinc oxide-eugenol if permanent resin-based restoration is planned, as eugenol reduces adhesion of subsequent composite restorations 5
• Glass ionomer cement is an alternative that doesn't interfere with future resin bonding 6

Critical Timing for Dental Referral

• Immediate (same day): Crown fractures with pulp exposure, severe mobility, or significant pain 1
• Within a few days: Enamel and dentin fractures with sensitivity 1
• Within a week: Enamel-only fractures with minimal symptoms 1

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Never use water to store tooth fragments - it causes osmotic lysis of cells; use milk or saline instead 1
• Don't underestimate pain from dentin exposure - prompt coverage prevents bacterial contamination 1
• Avoid attempting to cement crown-root fractures yourself - the crown fragment must be removed by a dentist first to assess the remaining root 7
• Don't delay referral for pulp-exposed fractures, as this leads to pulpal necrosis 1