If you are scheduled to have a dental crown or bridge placed, you will likely need to have a temporary crown placed over your tooth to protect it while your permanent dental restoration is being created in a dental lab. A temporary crown is typically made of acrylic plastic resin or metal and is lightly cemented in place over your tooth. These crowns tend to be more fragile than a permanent crown, and not as firmly adhered to your tooth, so extra care must be taken while you have a temporary crown in place. Once your permanent crown is ready, the temporary crown will be gently removed by your dentist using a special tool that allows the dentist to grab the crown and gently wiggle it loose and pop it off.