Exploring the Ease and Benefits of CEREC Crowns
It wasn’t the news you wanted, as it turns out, that suspect spot on your tooth is a cavity.
But wait, it gets worse — you also need a crown.
Now you have to find time to come back, get your tooth prepped and then make an additional appointment to actually get the crown.
Thankfully you’ve learned that there are same-day crowns designed to look more realistic. Maybe today isn’t so bad after all.
CEREC crowns are changing the face of dentistry and may be the perfect solution for your dental needs. This article, in conjunction with a discussion with your provider, will help you determine if CEREC crowns are right for you.
From an in-depth look at what a CEREC crown is to a list of the pros and cons, all you need to know about CEREC crowns is right here.
Table of Contents
- What Is a CEREC Crown?
- 5 Benefits of CEREC Same-Day Crowns
- FAQs Regarding CEREC Crowns
- Mint Dental Works: LEED Certified Dental Office Providing CEREC Crowns and General Dentistry Services
What Is a CEREC Crown?
With traditional crowns, your dentist uses putty to take impressions of your tooth and sends those off to a lab to have a crown created. This process could take up to two weeks, leaving you with a temporary crown that doesn’t always hold up to daily use.
This also requires two separate appointments roughly two weeks apart which means more:
- Injections
- Tooth preparation
- Hours in the chair
CEREC crowns have changed the game. CEREC — Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics — utilizes a system based on computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) to create dental restorations.
This technology is a major asset to patients, helping dentists create much more than just crowns.
CEREC technology can create:
- Dental crowns
- Veneers
- Implants
- Onlays
Another pro — CEREC crowns allow you to get a permanent crown in the same appointment as your tooth prep and photos.
CEREC Crown Procedure
From start to finish, getting your CEREC crown is a pretty straightforward process.
- The tooth is prepared. Decay is removed and old filling material is removed to prepare for the crown.
- Your dentist will scan the prepared tooth, getting the data they need to create an excellent crown. With these images, the computer can create a perfect model of your tooth.
- Now it’s time to create the model. Your practitioner will use CAD/CAM technology to convert your images into a digital model that will be used for creating the crown.
- Once the model is completed in the acquisition unit, your dentist will place an ingot of ceramic in the milling machine.
- The milling machine transforms that block of ceramic into a beautifully custom-fit crown that blends seamlessly with your other teeth.
- Next your dentist will check the crown to ensure perfect fit. Once this is completed, the crown is stained, glazed and fired to complete the crystallization process of the porcelain.
- Finally the crown is bonded to the prepared tooth. That’s it! You walk out of the office with a brand-new crown all in one day.
At Mint Dental Works, our state-of-the-art CEREC technology allows us to create beautiful, durable crowns for our patients in just one visit. Contact us today and find out if a CEREC crown is right for you or if one of our other services would better serve your circumstances.
5 Benefits of CEREC Same-Day Crowns
There’s a reason all-ceramic CEREC crowns are becoming more popular.
CEREC same-day crowns offer many benefits. From only needing one appointment — instead of the traditional two-appointment method — to potentially reducing negative side effects like irritation and inflammation, CEREC crowns can be a great option.
#1: Only Requires One Appointment
We get it. No matter how much you love your dentist, it’s rarely a place where most people want to spend their time.
With a traditional crown, you’re locked in for at least two appointments. The first one is for cleaning the tooth and prepping for the crown. This is also when the impression for the final crown is made and sent off to a lab. You walk out with a temporary crown that — in some cases — might not even last for the full two weeks.
Two weeks later, you come back into the office to have the new, permanent crown placed. The temporary one is removed and the new one is inserted. But sometimes, for a variety of reasons, the crown doesn’t fit correctly. Which means you’re back in a temporary for an additional two weeks while another crown is made..
With a CEREC crown, you’re in and out in one appointment, start to finish. You leave that day with a permanent crown. No in-between waiting time. No worrying about your temporary crown staying put and functional.
Just one appointment and you’re done.
#2: A More Natural Appearance
Gone are the days when a crown meant silver caps marring your smile.
CEREC crowns are known for their natural appearance. They are made to match your teeth as closely as possible, meaning most people can’t even tell you have a crown.
#3: A More Durable Final Product
With a traditional crown, more of the tooth structure near the gumline must be removed. However with a CEREC, more enamel is preserved. Additional enamel gives the crown a stronger bond and creates a durable, long lasting restoration.
#4: Eliminates the Need for Temporary Crowns
With a traditional crown, you have to wait two weeks between your first and second appointment while the permanent crown is made, which means you’re wearing a temporary crown. Since they aren’t made with as much precision, temporary crowns may cause inflammation and irritation to your tooth and gums, leading to other issues.
Also, temporary crowns aren’t made to stand up to nearly as much wear and tear as a permanent crown. You may just find yourself back in the dental chair having it recemented or remade if it breaks before your permanent crown is ready.
With CEREC, temporary crowns are a thing of the past.
#5: Minimizes the Chance of Other Issues Arising
With a CEREC crown, your dentist only goes in once for the prep and placement, minimizing inflammation to the pulp tissue and surrounding gums. Long term inflammation could potentially cause the nerve of the tooth to die.
You also don’t have to worry about other issues, like your temporary crown breaking while you’re on vacation in between your appointments.
FAQs Regarding CEREC Crowns
At Mint Dental Works, we take our patient’s comfort in all aspects very seriously. We value transparency and we want you to feel empowered to make the best choice for your oral health.
We get it; you have a lot of questions about CEREC crowns, and we are happy to answer them.
Are CEREC Crowns Good for Molars?
While CEREC crowns tend to be a stronger choice for the ‘aesthetic zone’ — what the teeth between your K9s are called — due to their color-matching abilities, CEREC crowns can be an excellent choice for molars as well.
Are CEREC crowns good for molars? Typically, yes. CEREC crowns are durable and can hold up well to the more intense chewing required of molars.
Are There Disadvantages to CEREC Crowns?
Nothing is perfect and CEREC crowns aren’t the solution for everyone. CEREC crowns might not be for you if:
- There isn’t a well-trained provider in your area
- The technology isn’t available in your area
Not all dental providers are qualified to work with CEREC crowns. There is training and experience required to do it well.
How Long Do CEREC Crowns Last?
The average CEREC crown tends to last about 10-15 years. However, with proper care and attention, they can last a lifetime. Like any other dental restoration, the longevity of the work depends on the mouth it’s placed in. Regular professional cleanings, good oral hygiene at home, genetics and the lack of parafunctional habits like clenching, grinding and ice chewing all impact the long term success of your dental work.
Mint Dental Works: LEED Certified Dental Office Providing CEREC Crowns and General Dentistry Services
Mint Dental Works is proud to be a LEED-certified dental office that offers excellent dental care. Our patients love that they can get same-day crowns with us, thanks to our CEREC training and technology.
Not only do we offer the best in dental care, but we are committed to caring well for both our patients and our planet. We acknowledge that the dental industry contributes to issues like pollution and overconsumption which is why we are committed to being as sustainable as possible. We do this through:
- Eliminating toxic materials
- Improving our office air quality
- Reducing our waste
- Striving for energy and water efficiency
Whether you’re looking for a CEREC crown, a cleaning, or another dental need entirely, Mint Dental Works is here to offer you premium service at every turn. Schedule your appointment today and experience dentistry as it was meant to be.
The content in this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.