Maybe your patient is complaining about excess dental cement on their recent crown. Or, perhaps you’re preparing for temporary dental cement removal so you can then place the permanent restoration.
Whatever the case, understanding how to remove dental cement - both temporary and permanent - is an important part of dentistry. But it’s not as simple as scraping away at the material. There’s a lot more that goes into doing this safely and efficiently.
The goal is to remove the cement as quickly as possible without causing any sort of trauma to the surrounding tissue, or creating an uncomfortable experience for the patient.
We’ll walk you through removing dental cement below, including the various tools and solutions you have at your disposal and the next steps after effective removal.
As the #1 provider of temporary dental cement, you can trust My DDS Supply for helpful insights to help you perform your best and deliver the experience your patients deserve!
When is Dental Cement Removal Necessary?
Dental cement serves the important purpose of bonding crowns, bridges, veneers, and other restorations to the natural tooth structure. It not only holds restorations in place but also seals the treated area to prevent bacteria from entering.
You’ll encounter both temporary and permanent cements, as each plays a unique role in dentistry. But, when does dental cement removal make sense? Let’s highlight a few common situations where learning how to remove dental cement is necessary.
Removing Excess From Crowns
Any excess cement around the margins after placing a crown or bridge must be carefully removed to avoid irritation to the gums or potential infection. Failure to remove excess cement can cause discomfort and complicate the healing process.
Failure or Damage to Restorations
A loose, damaged, or poorly fitted dental restoration needs to be replaced. But before that can happen, the cement holding it in place has to be removed so the crown or bridge can be removed.
It’s also important that dentists remove any excess cement still bonded to the tooth structure so that they have a clean slate for the reapplication of new cement.
Tooth Decay or Infection
Decay and infection beneath a restoration are unfortunately common occurrences. Treating them requires getting to the root of the issue, which, as you can imagine, involves removing any dental cement that’s in place.
Preparation for New Restorations
The purpose of a temporary crown is to serve as a placeholder while a permanent restoration is created. It keeps the patient’s smile intact and helps with eating and talking in the interim.
But when the permanent restoration is ready, the temporary crown - and the cement bonding it in place - much be removed.
Adjustment or Realignment
Sometimes a previous restoration just needs to be tweaked slightly for comfort or aesthetic purposes. In these cases, dentists may be able to loosen the bond enough to fine-tune the fit and keep the patient’s comfort and oral function optimal.
Is Dental Cement Easy to Remove?
We know there might be a few patients reading along who are dealing with excess dental cement stuck on their crown, and they want to clean it up a bit themselves rather than heading back to the dental office.
So, how strong is dental cement? Is this something anyone can remove easily? It all depends on the cement itself and the restoration in question.
Temporary dental cement comes loose with fairly little effort. After all, the whole purpose of this type of cement is to serve as a placeholder for a short period of time. It needs to be easy to remove by design.
In contrast, permanent cement is far more difficult to remove, and again, this is by design. You don’t want your restoration coming loose just a few years down the road, after all.
That’s why this specific type of material is formulated to provide long-lasting bonding that’s resistant to wear and mechanical disruption. Permanent dental cement removal requires more sophisticated tools and specialized expertise.
But the truth is, we don’t recommend any patient try and tinker with anything their dentist has done. As frustrating as it may be to deal with it while you wait for an appointment, the last thing you want is to cause more harm than good.
Nevertheless, if you’re curious about what goes into the process, we’ll walk you through how to remove dental cement below, starting with temporary cement.
How to Remove Temporary Dental Cement
We’ll start with a brief overview of how to remove temporary dental cement since this is such a common practice before applying a permanent restoration.
Step 1: Softening the Cement
Softening the cement means you can use much less force and abrasion in the next step, so don’t overlook this aspect of temporary dental cement removal.
You should source a solution specifically designed to break down or loosen the adhesive properties of the cement - common options include ethyl alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.
Step 2: Manual Removal With a Scaler or Excavator
Now you can really get to work, using either a scaler (standard or ultrasonic scalers) or an excavator to manually lift and remove the cement. These instruments allow for precise removal while minimizing trauma to the surrounding tissues or tooth surface.
Gently scrape away the remaining material. Avoid unnecessary force that could lead to complications. If you are feeling as if you have to scrape hard, chances are, you need to go back to the first step and soften the cement more.
The job is not complete until all visible dental cement is gone. But even then, there’s a bit more work to do.
Step 3: Cleaning the Tooth
A thorough cleaning of the tooth after the removal process ensures that no residual cement or debris remains, which could interfere with the placement of a new restoration. These can also cause discomfort and irritation for the patient. You can rely on your trusty polishing tool or air abrasion.
Post-Removal Care
The next steps will depend on why the temporary dental cement was removed. If you’re ready to apply the permanent restoration now, great - go ahead and do that.
But if not, it’s a good idea to apply a fluoride treatment to help protect the enamel and reduce sensitivity as the scraping can be traumatic on the natural tooth structure.
How to Remove Permanent Dental Cement
Now, let’s get into how to remove permanent dental cement. This is a more involved process given this material is not necessarily designed to be loosened.
Permanent cement is highly resistant to both chemical breakdown and mechanical forces, so you’ll need specialized tools and careful techniques for safe removal.
As with temporary dental cement removal, it’s not about using brute force. The biggest challenge is removal without damaging the underlying tooth or causing unnecessary trauma to the surrounding gum tissue. So, follow these directions closely.
Step 1: Evaluating the Restoration and Cement
You should start by assessing whether or not the restoration (such as a crown or bridge) is still salvageable or if it will need to be removed entirely.
This is also a good time to take note of the type of cement used if you don’t have access to this information elsewhere. Different types of cement, from resin to glass ionomer, will have different guidelines for removal.
Step 2: Sectioning the Crown or Restoration (if Necessary)
Sectioning isn’t always necessary, but those that are too firmly bonded to be removed in a single piece will require a bit more work. This gives you more control while minimizing the risk of damaging the natural tooth structure or harming the patient.
Sectioning is typically performed with a high-speed dental handpiece or a dental diamond bur, cutting the crown into sections so it can be lifted off in pieces.
Learn about the different types of dental burs in our blog, or stock up on all the dental burs you need at My DDS Supply to set yourself up for success. We also have dental carbide burs!
Step 3: Removing the Cement and Debris With More Advanced Tools
Permanent dental cement is more resistant to chemical softening, so you’ll have to rely on more advanced tools for the process.
Ultrasonic scalers, carbide burs, or air abrasion are all great options, each of which is capable of breaking down the hardened cement without causing harm to the tooth enamel. Water or air cooling may be used alongside mechanical tools to prevent heat buildup and protect the tooth.
Post-Procedure Care
If any damage occurred during the process, a restorative treatment may be needed to repair the tooth. This could involve a new crown, a filling, or other treatments depending on the extent of the removal.
Similar to removing temporary dental cement, you might consider following up with a desensitizing agent fluoride treatment here as well.
Patients should be given aftercare instructions, which may involve avoiding hard foods, practicing gentle oral hygiene, and scheduling a follow-up visit for a new restoration.
More Tips on Dental Cement Removal
There you have it, how to remove dental cement. We mentioned earlier we don’t advise patients trying to do their own work. But if you’re really struggling with a bit of excess cement and can’t wait for a professional visit, here are some gentle solutions you can try:
- Warm Water Rinse: This might be all it takes to loosen any debris or small pieces of cement. If nothing else, it’ll make it easier to remove using one of the other tips below.
- Dental Floss: Gently slide between the teeth and remove any excess cement that may be stuck around the edges of your crown or filling. Avoid applying too much pressure to avoid damaging the crown. Always follow your dentist’s directions - if they said avoid flossing, do not try this.
- Toothpick: A wooden or plastic toothpick can be used carefully to scrape off visible cement. Just make sure you work gently around the gum line to avoid irritation.
- Salt Water Solution: Rinsing with a mild saltwater solution can help soothe any discomfort and assist in loosening debris. Mix half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water and rinse a few times a day.
- Oil-Based Solutions: Some patients find using coconut or olive oil can help lubricate the area and loosen temporary cement, allowing it to be wiped away more easily.
- Acetone: This is the active ingredient in nail polish remover and it can soften certain types of temporary cement. Dampen a cotton swab with a small amount of acetone and apply it carefully to the cement. Rinse thoroughly afterward.
Like we said from the start, always consult your dentist before trying any home remedies to ensure safe removal. This is not medical advice and should not be mistaken for such.
Parting Thoughts on How to Remove Dental Cement
Removing dental cement, whether temporary or permanent, requires care, precision, and the right tools. While temporary cement can be managed with simple methods from the comfort of your own home, permanent cement often calls for professional attention.
Don’t forget the importance of post-removal care to protect the integrity of your dental restorations, either. We hope this guide on how to remove dental cement has left you feeling clear and confident in your next steps.
Find additional resources in our blog like how to make dental putty at home, how long does dental cement last, how to soften dental putty, how to mix alginate, how to make a temporary crown, what are temporary crowns made of, how to use sterilization pouches, and more.
But if you find yourself in need of high-quality dental cement, remember that My DDS Supply is your trusted provider. We have a great Non-Eugonal Temporary Cement that thousands of dentists around the country rely on for their restorations, and once you try it, you’ll see why.
It comes in a convenient syringe form and is perfect for patients with eugenol sensitivities. Cleanup and removal are effortless, yet you can rest assured it’ll provide a strong bond for crowns, bridges, and other temporary restorations.
You can find all the other supplies you need in our catalog as well. This is truly your one-stop shop for all things dentistry:
- Dental putty
- Dental gauze
- Dental alginate impression material
- VPS dental impression material
- Bite registration trays
- Dental mixing tips
- Dental impression trays
All our products are sourced from reputable manufacturers so you can rest assured you’re getting the quality you deserve at an unbeatable price with exceptional service every step of the way.
Simplify dental sourcing and empower your practice with the top-quality supplies on the market today at My DDS Supply. Don’t settle for anything less than the best when it comes to your patient outcomes!