A tooth that has been broken, undergone root canal therapy or has a large filling may need to be crowned. In the past, getting a tooth crowned meant multiple visits to the dental office and a good deal of time between the first and final procedures. Today, many dental offices are able to provide patients with a dental crown in only one visit. This is thanks to new state-of-the-art technology – Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics – CEREC crowns.
CEREC crowns use computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) to construct the restoration. In addition to crowns, this technology can also be used to create dental implants, fixed bridges, inlays, onlays, veneers, dentures and various orthodontic appliances.
Traditional crowns can be made from metal, porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, ceramic and resin. CEREC crowns are made from highly durable ceramic material and unlike traditional crowns, you can walk out with your completed crown on the same day.
Advantages of CEREC Crowns
One of the major advantages of getting a CEREC crown is the convenience. The process can be completed within a couple of hours. This saves you time and money because you only need one trip to the dental office. You do not have to worry about multiple visits and co-pays.
Traditional crowns require the use of a temporary crown between dental visits. The temporary crown protects the prepared tooth until your next visit to the office. In the meantime, you need to be careful that it does not come loose, and some people notice more sensitivity with temporary crowns. With CEREC, you get your completed crown at the end of your dental visit.
Messy dental impressions are also a part of the process for traditional crowns. This can be quite unsettling for those with a strong gag reflex or patients who have an aversion to certain textures in their mouth. CEREC crowns use digital impressions to make a 3D model of the tooth, so the need for impression material is eliminated.
CEREC crowns, though quickly made, are as durable and strong as traditional crowns. They also look better, because they do not have a metal core like most traditional crowns. Most people cannot tell the difference between a tooth that has a CEREC crown and a natural tooth.
Find out more about CEREC crowns by making an appointment with one of our dentists at Creative Dentistry and MedSpa. Call today to schedule your visit with us.
Posted on behalf of Creative Dentistry & MedSpa