How Much Dental Work Can I Get In One Visit?

Posted by AllSmiles

Hi. I really don’t like going to the dentist. I want to finish dental work without too many dental appointments. I need two crowns and three root canals, and I want to get my teeth whitened. I put off the root canals and crowns for over a year. My dentist wants me to spread the treatment over two months, but I would like this done all at once. I don’t like a dentist who has me return unnecessarily. Can I get all this work done on the same day, or am I not being reasonable? – Ken from Reno, NV

Ken – Thank you for your question. We understand your concerns about minimizing dental visits and maximizing your time in the dental chair.

How Much Dental Work Can You Get in One Visit?

How much dental work you can get in one visit depends on several factors, including:

• The type of procedure
• Procedure complexity
• Extent of the work required
• Condition of your teeth
• Your oral health
• Your physical health
• Your dentist’s experience, skills, and recommendations
• Whether you get dental sedation and the type of sedation

How Does Sedation Dentistry Help a Dentist Accomplish More?

Sedation can help a dentist accomplish more work than without sedation for these reasons:

• You are relaxed – A patient’s anxiety, gag reflex, or inability to relax can limit how much work a dentist completes in one visit. However, dental sedation calms you and allows a dentist to proceed with treatment.
• Your dentist can focus – Your relaxed state allows the dentist to focus on your care while monitoring your vital signs during sedation.
• Decrease pain sensitivity – The American Dental Association confirms that using sedation for complex treatments can ease pain and anxiety.

Can You Get Teeth Whitening and Crowns on the Same Day?

A dentist must complete teeth whitening before placing dental crowns. Your dentist will want to ensure the crowns match your whitened teeth. It can take a week or two for your tooth color to stabilize after whitening.

Speak with your dentist regarding your concerns about minimizing your visits and making your visits as productive as possible. Ask your dentist about sedation for your procedures, too. Consider getting a second opinion from an advanced cosmetic dentist if necessary.

Dr. Thaddeus Michalski, a Rocky Hill, Connecticut dentist and Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, sponsors this post.