What to Bring to a Dental Crown Consultation

Bring Your Dental and Medical Details

Start by bringing the information that the dentist does not have from previous visits. If you are visiting a new dentist, bring the previous dental records if available. Bring the recent x-rays if possible, though the office may take their own pictures.

The information about medication is critical, and many people miss that step. Bring the names and dosages of the regular medication with you, or at least have the name ready so that the dentist can get the dose. The same goes for any allergies and other conditions relevant to the dentist’s work. It is not necessary to memorize the entire information, but a picture of the label on your phone would suffice.

Your Previous Dental Work

If there was a previous filling, crown, root canal treatment, or other procedures done on the tooth, mention it. Even if the procedure was years ago.

• Recent dental x-rays, especially if there are already copies available. The dentist will likely request their own x-rays anyway, but the presence of the old picture will give them something to compare the new one to.

• The current medication list, ideally with the doses written down. It is not practical to guess the name of a prescription medicine while on the dental chair.

• Information about insurance or payment method if the dentist’s office requires that information before the procedure. It is much more convenient to sort it out before any anesthetic is given.

Write Down What the Tooth Has Been Doing

Does the tooth hurt when biting? Does it react to cold? Perhaps it only hurts for a short time at night. All of that information will be helpful to the dentist in determining the issue, especially since the pain is intermittent.

While a crown seems like a logical solution for a damaged tooth, the dentist also needs to examine the tooth personally and determine whether a crown is necessary. They should evaluate the tooth and come up with the individual plan for its restoration.

Questions You Actually Want Answered

• “Why does the tooth need a crown?” is a reasonable question, and there should be no problem asking it.

• If there are alternative treatments, write them down. You aren’t being asked to make a choice right now.

Ask the dentist to describe what the visit will be like. Ask how much of the tooth will have to be removed or reduced. Ask what they would do if the tooth turns out to be more fragile than expected. Ask what they plan to do about the temporary crown if one will be necessary.

What You Don’t Need to Pack

You don’t need to bring all of your previous dental paperwork with you. If the office has a copy of it, they will certainly not need an additional one.

You don’t need to bring your decision about which type of crown you want. The dentist should lay out the options available to you based on their examination of the tooth. You can ask them about the cosmetic appeal, strength, longevity, and cost of each option without having to know the answer beforehand.

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