The Crown Preparation Notes Template UK Dentists Use
A crown preparation notes template captures the indirect crown prep visit — pre-op tooth assessment with vitality test, shade selection, occlusal assessment, Montgomery consent, LA, preparation with reduction and margin design, impression/digital scan, temporary placement, and lab prescription with MDR statement-of-conformity reference — meeting CGDent and MDR 2017 standards.
Pre-op vitality is the single most-missed entry in crown prep notes — and the single most-defensible record when the tooth dies six months later. Below is the template UK dentists paste into their PMS for the crown prep visit.
Download the free Crown Preparation template — plain text, GDC/FGDP(UK)-aligned.
Why this crown preparation template wins
- Pre-op vitality recorded — the single most-cited defensible entry per MDDUS / Dental Protection case reviews. If the tooth dies post-prep and vitality wasn't recorded, the prep is presumed the cause.
- Reduction amounts noted explicitly — defends you against "over-prepared" claims and provides a lab-quality check.
- Pulp proximity assessment + explicit RCT risk discussion in consent — Montgomery-defensible against "I wasn't warned" claims if the tooth needs endo later.
- Lab prescription line includes MDR statement-of-conformity reminder — MDR 2017 traceability requirement.
- Temporary cement specified — non-eugenol when resin cement is planned for the definitive — prevents the most common cement-incompatibility failure.
Compliance: the medico-legal angle
- CGDent Clinical Examination and Record-Keeping (3rd ed) — restorative records must capture indication, reduction, margin design, impression, temporary, lab prescription.
- MDR 2017 — Medical Devices Regulation. Custom-made dental devices (crowns, bridges) require a statement of conformity retained for 10 years.
- Montgomery v Lanarkshire — material risk disclosure. RCT risk for heavily-restored teeth is well-documented and must be discussed.
- GDC Principle 4 — operative records must be complete enough that another clinician can continue the case.
Common mistakes UK dentists make
- NO pre-op vitality test recorded — indefensible if the tooth dies after prep.
- Reduction amount not noted — leaves room for "over-prepared, killed the pulp" claims.
- No RCT risk discussed for heavily-restored teeth — Montgomery breach.
- Eugenol-containing temporary cement used when resin cement is planned for the definitive crown — causes bond failure at fit.
- No lab prescription on file or MDR statement of conformity not retained — MDR 2017 breach.
Frequently asked questions
Why is pre-op vitality so important to record?
It's the most-cited defensible entry in crown prep claims. If a heavily-restored tooth dies post-prep and you didn't document vitality beforehand, the prep is presumed the cause — even though the tooth may have been deteriorating before you saw it. A pre-op cold or EPT result protects you.
What's MDR statement of conformity?
Medical Devices Regulation 2017 requires that custom-made dental devices (crowns, bridges, dentures, RPDs) come with a statement of conformity from the lab confirming the device meets MDR requirements. The lab issues it; you retain it for 10 years. Most labs send it electronically with the case return. Audit requirement.
How much reduction do I document?
Approximate amounts per surface — occlusal/incisal, axial, margin position. "PFM: 2mm occlusal, 1.5mm axial, equigingival chamfer buccal" is sufficient. The specific values defend you against claims of over-reduction.
What's the difference between chamfer and shoulder margins?
Chamfer: smooth, rounded shoulder, ~0.5-0.7mm width, used for metal/PFM. Shoulder: 90° internal angle, 1-1.2mm width, used for all-ceramic (provides material thickness for strength). Record which you prepared so the lab uses the matching die design.
Why does temporary cement choice matter?
Eugenol-containing temps (e.g. TempBond original) inhibit resin polymerisation. If you're cementing the definitive crown with resin cement (e.g. Variolink, Panavia), use non-eugenol (TempBond NE, Provicol, ZONEfree). Cement failure at fit is overwhelmingly traced to eugenol incompatibility.
Do I need a digital impression?
No — conventional impressions are still routine and acceptable. Record the material (e.g. "Aquasil Ultra+ medium/light body, 2-stage impression"). Digital is becoming common; if you scan, record the system. Both are defensible if done well.