While traditional crowns take multiple appointments to apply, CEREC® options require just one dental visit. These same-day restorations are made in the dentist’s office immediately after the patient has been prepped and images of the mouth have been taken. As a result, patients can forgo making future appointments for the same crown. To better understand how CEREC® crowns reduce the number of visits, compare traditional and single-appointment procedures
Traditional crowns are commonly made of porcelain or metal and must be crafted in a location away from the dentist’s office. The procedure generally involves two visits and requires the patient to wear a temporary crown over the problem tooth while the permanent crown is made.
The patient’s tooth is prepped for the crown first. A putty is used to take an impression of the mouth for creating an accurate model for creating the crown. The dentist trims the outer layer of the decaying tooth to make room for the artificial cap, and another impression is taken to ensure the right fit for the crown. Then the dentist matches the natural tooth color to an artificial one, ensuring the crown will not stand out among the patient’s teeth. A temporary crown is fitted to protect the tooth until the permanent one arrives.
The dentist sends all necessary items to a lab for the creation of the replacement tooth covering. This includes mouth impressions, molds of the shaved tooth, and color information. It may take a few weeks for the permanent crown to be made.
Once the permanent crown arrives, a second appointment is required for its placement. The dentist removes the temporary and uses a dental cement mixture to stick the permanent crown in place. Other than follow-ups about concerns, this should be the final appointment.
Same-day restorations are unique because they do not require the weeks-long waiting periods or temporary crowns. Everything is completed in a single simple procedure.
The dentist takes an impression of the mouth using computer scans. This takes about 15 minutes, and the images are uploaded to a 3D printer to create a complete digital impression. Another scan may be taken once the tooth is trimmed. A rendering of the new crown is made in the office and sent to the printer.
The crown is printed over the course of an hour or two. Patients may be able to leave the dental office during that time and return when it is ready.
The crown is placed using the same techniques as a traditional one. Adjustments or extra attention may be necessary to ensure a smooth fit. After two to four hours, a timeframe that includes taking scans, making the crown, and placing it, patients walk out with a new, permanent restoration.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: CEREC Dentist in Phoenix, AZ
Increasing numbers of dental offices have the equipment to make CEREC® crowns on site. Ask your dentist about the possibility and what advantages these restorations have over traditional ones.
Request an appointment or call Modern Smiles Family Dentistry at 602-362-7065 for an appointment in our Phoenix office.
A traditional crown is often placed on a damaged or troubled tooth throughout two dental visits, but a CEREC® crown can be placed in one day. The acronym CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restorations of Esthetic Ceramic, and these restorations provide a protective cap over a tooth the same way traditional crowns do. However, the…
CEREC® crowns provide more benefits to patients than metal restorations. Tissues of the body tend to have a different reaction to metal than to non-metal material. CEREC dental crowns are healthier, more stable dental restorations. If you want to know more about metal-free CEREC dental crowns, here are the details.CEREC metal-free crowns are appealing to…
If you have not yet heard about CEREC® crowns, you might want to ask your dentist. CEREC crowns are a great option for restoring your decayed tooth. It may surprise you how easily the dentist can create a CEREC crown that fits your tooth. If you have a decayed tooth that needs a crown, consider…
Few people are thrilled at the thought of sitting in their dentist's chair. While dental anxiety is a real problem for many people, even those who do not experience that level of discomfort still have occasional misgivings or even fears. Finding a family dentist that you are comfortable with can help you get through those…
Dental implants are a newer option for replacing missing teeth. They involve a titanium screw inserted into the jawbone, and then months later, once the jawbone has healed and the screw is fused into the bone, a crown is attached to the screw.It can be expensive to get dental implants, but since they offer full…