When should a gingival retraction cord be placed in relation to the crown preparation and final impression?

The placement of a gingival retraction cord is a crucial step in the crown preparation process, particularly in ensuring that the final impression captures an accurate and detailed representation of the tooth and surrounding gingival tissue.

Placing the gingival retraction cord after the crown preparation allows the dentist to create the tooth structure adequately before managing the soft tissue. The retraction cord functions to displace the gingiva away from the tooth, creating a clear margin for the impression material to access the details of the prepared tooth. This is essential for achieving a precise fit of the crown, as any encroachment of the gingiva can lead to the impression capturing inaccuracies, which may affect the final restoration's fit and function.

Following the crown preparation, the next step is to place the retraction cord and then proceed with the final impression. This sequence ensures that the gingiva is adequately retracted at the time of taking the impression, minimizing the risk of capturing any excess gingival tissue that could interfere with the margin.

Thus, it's important to have the gingival retraction cord placed after completing the crown preparation and before taking the final impression to ensure optimal results.