A 32-year-old female patient has a crown on the upper central incisor that keeps falling off. The patient has a deep overbite. The crown falls off repeatedly. What is the FIRST most appropriate next step?

Correct answer: C. Take alginate impressions and study models for occlusal analysis

• A. A free gingival graft addresses tissue quantity — not the cause of crown dislodgement in a deep bite case.
• B. Extraction is inappropriate when the underlying cause (occlusion) can be addressed.
• C. Correct. A repeatedly failing crown in a patient with deep bite suggests an occlusal problem — excessive forces from the deep bite may be dislodging the crown. The next step is to analyze the occlusion by taking alginate impressions and mounting study models to evaluate the bite relationship and plan appropriate treatment.
• D. Recementing without addressing the occlusal cause will result in repeated failure.