If you have a broken or decayed tooth, then your dentist may recommend a dental crown. Dental crowns have been used to fix teeth for more than a hundred years and have often involved two or more dental visits. A permanent dental crown has to be fabricated, and in the meantime, a temporary crown is placed. Both those delays and inconveniences are now avoidable due to innovation by CEREC.

CEREC same-day crowns in Scottsdale are made in the office, and your dentist will place the final crown during that same visit. That means that you do not need to visit your dentist multiple times to have a crown made and placed, and you do not have to deal with the inconveniences of a temporary crown. You can even return to your busy life just as soon as your dental visit has concluded.

CEREC Same-Day Crowns

CEREC stands for the chairside economical restoration of esthetic ceramic, and it is a brand with a focus on creating dental restorations in a dental office rather than an outside lab. Using a CEREC milling machine, your dentist can create a custom crown from a block of dental porcelain. The entire process is safe and fast, and the result is just as good-looking and long-lasting as with a traditional dental crown.

Here is what you can expect when you visit your dentist for a CEREC same-day crown:

  • Your dentist will examine your teeth and determine the appropriate treatment.
  • He or she may recommend a full dental crown or perhaps an inlay, onlay, or just a filling.
  • In either case, your dentist will prep the tooth by removing any infected tissue.
  • If you need a crown, inlay, or onlay, your dentist will take a precise digital image of your tooth.
  • The CEREC software will use that image to create a 3D model of your tooth.
  • Your dentist will use that model to design your dental crown.
  • When he or she has completed the design, that data will be sent to the CEREC milling machine.
  • Your dentist will choose particular porcelain based on the natural hue of your teeth.
  • The milling machine will make the crown, which usually takes less than 15 minutes.
  • Your dentist will place the crown and make any necessary fine adjustments.
  • When he or she is satisfied with the result, your dentist will bond the crown and polish it.

The Choice Between CEREC Same-Day Crowns and Traditional Lab-Made Crowns

Many dentists offer both traditional crowns and same-day crowns. Your dentist may determine that your tooth is better suited to one approach or the other. In that case, it is best to heed his or her professional recommendation. If your dentist gives you a choice, however, then there are a few points you will want to consider before making your decision.

  • Traditional crowns require manual dental impressions.
  • You will have to visit your dentist at least twice for a lab-made crown.
  • During your first visit, your dentist will place a temporary crown.
  • A temporary crown will require you to avoid certain foods.
  • The wait for a lab-made crown can take two to three weeks.
  • In the event something is wrong with the crown, it is sent back to the lab.
  • Inconveniences aside, a lab-made alloy crown can be ideal for those that grind their teeth.

Here are some interesting points about CEREC same-day crowns to consider:

  • Same-day crowns require just a single visit and thus save time and money.
  • CEREC crowns are the same quality as lab-made porcelain crowns.
  • There are no differences when it comes to durability and convenience of care.
  • The single-visit process means that you do not risk further injury to the tooth.
  • You can resume normal activities right away, including eating all the foods you love.
  • Same-day crowns often allow more of the natural tooth to be preserved.
  • But same-day crowns are not appropriate for those who grind or clench their teeth.

The durability of a CEREC Same-Day Crown

A dental crown should last 10-15 years for the average patient, and this is true of both a traditional dental crown and a same-day crown. But the longevity of a crown all comes down to the precision of the design, fitting and bonding, and to the care it receives from the patient. A crown can fail much sooner than the average if you do not heed your dentist’s recommendations for maintenance.

Learn More About CEREC Same-Day Crowns

Many people choose CEREC same-day crowns to correct and beautify their smiles. Same-day crowns are often more economical, and they require just a single visit. If you would like to learn more about CEREC same-day restorations, consult with your dentist. He or she can provide you additional information, including whether or not they are a good fit for your particular smile.