“Just Got a Crown? Your Post-Cementation Checklist”
A dental crown is more than a cosmetic fix—it’s a functional prosthetic that safeguards your tooth from fracture, infection, or further decay. But post-cementation care is often underestimated by patients at the dental clinic. Why? Because the internet makes it sound like “once it’s cemented, you’re good to go.”

Wrong.

Let’s Bust Some Myths First:

“I can chew normally the same day.”
False.
Cement needs 24–48 hours to fully set. Biting into hard foods (roti crust, sugarcane, or pakoras) can crack or loosen your crown.

“No more flossing now.”
Incorrect.
Flossing around crowns—done right—is essential to prevent gum infection and secondary caries. If the floss doesn’t go in-between crown & adjacent teeth, then do not force it in. This might lead to cementation failure & crown can get dislodged.

“It’s permanent, so I won’t need a check-up.”
A crown isn’t forever. Its longevity depends on regular maintenance & varies from person to person.

According to The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry (Kumbargere et al., 2020), poor hygiene and cement breakdown are the top reasons for crown failure. Yet, a 2023 Indian survey (Gupta et al., Indian Journal of Dental Research) found that 62% of crown patients never returned for follow-up.

Your Crown Aftercare Checklist

1. No eating or drinking for 2 hours after crown cementation.
2. Warm saline mouth rinse after 2 hours to be done 4 times in day for 2 weeks.
3. Avoid hard foods for 72 hours.
4. Chew on the opposite side if possible for 1–2 days.
5. Maintain hygiene with a soft brush and interdental floss—do not snap the floss out; slide it gently.
6. Report any high bite, pain, or looseness immediately—small adjustments can prevent big failures.
7. Avoid mouthwashes with high alcohol content in the first 48 hours.
8. Schedule a 1-week follow-up with your dentist for a fit-check.
9. Avoid sticky foods (gud, murukku, chikki) to prevent bond failure.

Why This Is Especially Important for Indian Lifestyles
Our diets are spice-heavy and carb-rich. We often snack on hard-textured items like peanuts, papads, or puffed rice. This adds continuous pressure on restorations.

Also, habits like chewing paan or tobacco, prevalent in some regions, drastically reduce the life of crowns due to chemical erosion and staining.

And for older adults, post-crown sensitivity can mimic neuralgic pain. Proper guidance from a qualified dentist is key—not random advice from social media or forums.

A Note on Internet Misinformation
Search engines are full of generic Western protocols that don’t factor in Indian food textures, chewing habits, or access to follow-ups. Misleading claims like “permanent crowns don’t need care” are dangerous. As responsible, health-conscious citizens, we must filter such advice through dental professionals.

Takeaway for the Quality-Conscious Patient:
If you’re visiting a dental clinic for a crown, don’t leave with just a smile—leave with a clear maintenance plan. Your smile is an investment. Respect it with informed care.

Edited by Dr Sourav Ghosh (MDS); Gold Medalist
Clinical Head & Principal Dentist at Smiley Dental Treatment Centre Pvt Ltd

References:

1. Goodacre, C. J., Campagni, W. V., & Aquilino, S. A. (2001). Tooth preparations for complete crowns: an art form based on scientific principles. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, 85(4), 363–376.
2. Wadhwani, C. P., & Pineyro, A. (2012). Retention of crowns: a clinical update. Dental Clinics of North America, 56(2), 415–432
3. Behr, M., Proff, P., Kolbeck, C., Lang, R., Kunzelmann, K. H., & Handel, G. (2003). The bond strength of different cement systems to dentin and enamel. Dental Materials, 19(6), 476–482.
4. Christensen, G. J. (2007). Cementing all-ceramic restorations: the clinician’s view. Clinical Report, Journal of the American Dental Association, 138(6), 777–780.
5. Mjör, I. A., & Gordan, V. V. (2002). Failure, repair, refurbishing and longevity of restorations. Operative Dentistry, 27(5), 528–534.
6. Magne, P., & Belser, U. C. (2003). Biomimetic restorative dentistry: functionally driven tooth reconstruction. Quintessence Publishing.