I have declined to get my permanent crown cemented because the temporary one keeps falling off. I’ve even had pieces of the temporary crown fall off. The dental lab asked my dentist for a new impression before making the final crown. Isn’t it reasonable to think that I will have problems with the final crown if the temporary one doesn’t stay on? Thanks. Milcah from NJ
Milcah,
Any complication can occur during a crown procedure, even in careful hands. But when problems repeat—especially with both impressions and temporary crowns—it becomes reasonable to question whether you need a second opinion. Many patients would feel uncomfortable continuing under these circumstances.
Why Retention and Impressions Matter
Dental crowns
Temporary crowns usually stay in place unless something interferes with retention. If a tooth is too short or too tapered, even a well-made temporary can struggle to stay on. Add to that an impression that the dental lab could not use, and the overall pattern deserves attention.
The issues you have experienced that a second opinion could provide clarity and peace of mind.
- Repeated loss of temporary crowns
- An unusable impression identified by the lab
- A temporary that deteriorates rather than stabilizes
What Are Your Options?
You can change dentists during a crown procedure. The current dentist should assist with transferring records and materials. If the new dentist needs to correct the preparation, you can discuss financial adjustments with the original office. The most important goal is a stable, properly fitting crown. A crown that won’t stay on presents unnecessary risk and should not be left unresolved.
Brian LeSage, DDS, an accredited fellow of cosmetic dentistry in Beverly Hills, sponsors this post.