Can temporary crowns be repaired?

Yes they can. Often temporary crowns crack, wear or turn more yellow over time. If they are made from acrylic they can be easily repaired. Acrylic will accept the addition of new acrylic . If I have a patient with a cracked posterior temporary and it needs a repair I first clean out all the temporary cement residue. If there is a cracked portion, I freshen that area up with a diamond bur and then I re seat the temporary. A slurry of acrylic is added, usually with the temporary in place, and allowed to set. Afterwards the temporary can be trimmed, polished and recemented.

For anterior temporaries which have chipped or changed colors , I find I can make small additions using tooth colored composite materials. I use these to either to lighten the color of a temporary that has turned more yellow or to repair small chips on the incisal edges. The additions usually adhere reasonably well and patients are able to extend the useful life span of their temporaries.