CEREC same day crowns are making headlines in the world of modern dentistry. Find out the truth about same day dental crowns here!
Did you know that an attractive smile is one of the best ways to make a first impression? When you have damaged or missing teeth it’s a hit to your self-esteem.
Traditional crowns can take weeks (and several visits) to finish. We live in a world of instant gratification. No one wants to wait more than a day for a crown — and you shouldn’t have to!
Same day crowns give patients a new lease on life by offering fast, quality results.
Still not convinced that CEREC crowns are the way to go? Keep reading for more amazing truths about same day crowns.
What Are CEREC Crowns?
CEREC crowns stand for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. In short, a beautiful, fast, and affordable same day crown solution.
A crown is a “cap” that covers your existing tooth. Crowns repair a long list of dental issues, including:
- Root canal
- Broken or cracked tooth
- Cavity
- Reinforce a weak tooth
- Hold a dental bridge together
Traditional crowns require several appointments starting with a consultation. During this initial appointment, the dentist will take an impression of your tooth using molding material.
This impression is then sent to a lab where a cap resembling your natural tooth gets made and sent back to your dentist.
The entire process can take several weeks to complete. And that’s if everything goes right. Traditional crowns leave a lot of room for error.
The good news? CEREC crowns mean you can enter and exit the office on the same day, with a beautiful new crown and renewed confidence.
Convenience
Convenience is the main reason to consider CEREC crowns. There’s nothing better than having your tooth restored to its natural appearance in one visit.
The entire process (from start to finish) takes between one and two hours (depending on your condition). Your dentist will design and create your dental crown in the office using a CAD/CAM computer and milling machine. Your crown will be ready in only a few hours, not days!
Having CAD/CAM technology right in the office means more than just convenience. It also means saving time and preserving accuracy.
CAD/CAM is the most accurate way to create same-day crowns. The color match and fit are far superior to traditional crowns sent to a lab.
That process alone takes one to two weeks. If the tooth comes back with imperfections, it means even more time for the redesign. Another downside to traditional crowns is how invasive the process is.
CEREC crowns help preserve your original tooth since they need less preparation, filling, and trauma to the area. Plus, patients won’t pay for repeat visits or the cost of a temporary crown.
Amazing Technology
You don’t have to be tech-savvy to understand the benefits of using CAD/CAM technology. CAD/CAM stands for computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing. Despite popular belief, this technology has been around for decades.
In short, your dentist will use a computer to take an exact scan of your tooth, making it the most accurate method for same day crown design. This process is also painless and easy for the patient.
Traditional crowns consist of unpleasant impression material. Once this impression goes to a lab, accuracy gets compromised. There’s a chance that the crown may not fit correctly or the shade will be off.
This means more time is wasted. The dentist has to then send the crown back for redesigning for a better fit and shade match.
The longer this process takes, the longer the patient is in a temporary crown. This can lead to even more complications. Temporary crowns are meant to be just that — temporary.
You’ll need to follow a restricted diet that doesn’t compromise your temporary crown. Because it’s not permanent, the fit will be less than ideal, causing discomfort.
Temporary crowns aren’t designed to withstand long-term use. It’s recommended that you remove these types of crowns after two to three weeks.
This leaves little wiggle room for error when creating traditional crowns.
With CAD/CAM technology, your dentist will get a perfect match every time, preventing the need for a temporary crown.
How CEREC Same Day Crowns Get Made
So, what can you expect from your same day crown experience? You already know there’s no need for gunky molding material or repeat visits.
First, your dentist will use a specially designed camera (intraoral) to take 3D images of your tooth. This camera is smaller than the tip of a pen, making it much less invasive than a traditional mold.
The dentist will then use these 3D images to create an image of your tooth and the crown, using precise measurements. CAD/CAM technology allows your dentist to account for every ridge, indentation, and fissure on and around your tooth’s surface.
This final design is what professionals use to create your CEREC crown. A milling machine carves an exact replica into a single piece of ceramic.
A solid, perfect match of your tooth is then put in place of your old one. Because CEREC crowns are one solid piece of material, they also boast greater strength and durability.
Even the implantation of your crown is relatively painless. Dentists simply glue it into place.
CEREC crowns generally last for at least five years with no complications. But, most professionals guarantee their work far beyond that.
Quality Material and Appearance
Most same day crowns are porcelain or ceramic. CEREC crowns are only ceramic, which means a better chance of perfectly matching the crown to your natural tooth color.
Patients can avoid metal crowns, which are an eyesore. Metal crowns are fine for repairing teeth out of sight but when it comes to keeping a natural appearance, nothing beats same day CEREC crowns.
Your dentist isn’t only trained in dental hygiene and oral health. They act as an aesthetician, guaranteeing your smile is both functional and beautiful.
Changing Lives, One Tooth at a Time
CAD/CAM technology and the use of CEREC crowns are changing the dynamics of the dental profession.
At Chloe Dental, we refuse to use anything but CAD/CAM technology. We treat every patient as if they’re family and only want the best for them.
If you want more information about CEREC same day crowns, contact us or learn more about cosmetic crowns here.