What Happens at Your First Appointment for a Dental Crown

The Appointment Starts With an Examination

The dentist will first examine the tooth and the area around the tooth. The dentist will look at how healthy tooth remains and whether the tooth is strong enough to hold a crown. Because a crown sits over the remaining tooth that part matters a lot.

The dentist may also take an X‑ray. The X‑ray gives the dentist a view below the gum line, where decay or infection can hide. If the tooth has already had a root canal the dentist will focus closely on the tooth’s condition.

What Your Dentist Needs to Know

• Pain when chewing especially if pain started recently should be mentioned of ignored.

• A tooth that feels sensitive to cold or heat provides the dentist another clue even if the feeling fades quickly.

• Any previous treatment on that tooth a root canal will be part of the conversation.

You’ll Talk About the Crown Itself

After the dentist has examined the tooth you will normally discuss what type of crown is best. The choice depends in part on where the tooth sits and how pressure the tooth takes when chewing. A back molar has a different job from a front tooth.

You may also discuss how the crown should look. For a tooth matching the shade and shape of the crown to the teeth around it becomes very important. Personally this is one part that’s worth spending a little extra time on. A crown that feels comfortable but looks clearly different can be surprisingly distracting.

What Happens If the Tooth Needs Work?

Sometimes the dentist finds that the tooth needs treatment before a crown can be placed. That might mean removing decay or treating an infection first. In cases there simply is not enough healthy tooth left to support the crown properly.

What You Usually Leave With

You should also have an idea of how many visits you will need. The actual crown is usually made after the tooth has been prepared. There is often another appointment before the final fitting.

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