Crown Prep

[Sassycass]

Hello Everyone,
Up until last month I hadn’t been to a dentist since the day before Covid shut everything down. Within the last month I have had an exam with X-rays, endodontist consultation for root canal (that didn’t happen) and saw an oral surgeon for an extraction of tooth #15 (it couldn’t be saved with root canal)

The anticipation anxiety is what really is the worst for me. I also have a low dose of Xanax to take that doesn’t really help too much but it helps a little.

In two days I have an appointment first thing in the morning to have crown prep done on an upper second molar (#2 tooth). How long should I expect this appointment to take? I had horrible swelling and pain in my cheek for 10 days after my extraction from the injections. Will I have the same placement of injections for crown prep? I also couldn’t open my mouth up far for 7 days after my extraction. Will my jaw lock up again from this procedure?

 

[Gordon]

Depends on the dentist and the circumstances.
(i once had to really, really get a move on doing a crown prep once for a mentally disabled chap, so with help from 2 very experienced assistants we got the whole thing done in under 10 minutes from start to finish. He just couldn't sit still for much longer.)
I'd allow for about an hour though, that would be a bit more normal

You shouldn't get swelling and pain after injections for this. You should ask about a bite prop to support your jaw during the treatment and/or ask for plenty of little breaks to move your jaw around.

 

[Sassycass]

Thank you for your response! I will ask for a bite prop.

 

[Sassycass]

Had my appointment earlier this morning. Didn’t need a bite prop. Surprisingly I didn’t need to open my mouth too wide. Full appointment time was about 60 minutes.

They gave me LA and I could still feel a pain, so they gave me a little more. When she used a certain tool at a certain angle I could still feel a little pain. I would describe it as a very cold type of pain. At that point I was almost done so I didn’t want to tell them I might need more LA.

Thankfully the only other work I will need done the rest of this year is permanent crown fitting, deep cleaning, some fillings and some bonding correction on my two front teeth. Hopefully it’s just smooth sailing.

 

[Gordon]

Great that you managed to get it done and thank you for following up.