If you want to repair your damaged tooth as quickly as possible, you may be interested in getting a CEREC same-day crown. Unlike traditional dental crowns, CEREC crowns can be created and placed in just one day. But is this really the best option in your specific case? In order to find the answer to that question, it’s worth taking a closer look at the advantages and drawbacks associated with CEREC crowns.
What Does Getting a CEREC Crown Involve?
Restoring a tooth with a CEREC same-day crown involves the following steps:
- A small amount of enamel is removed from the tooth in question.
- A digital infrared camera captures scans of the tooth and the area around it.
- Special software uses the scans to design a dental crown that’s precisely the right shape and size.
- The crown is created by an in-office milling machine using a block of ceramic material.
- After any necessary last-minute adjustments are made, the crown is attached to the tooth.
What are the Advantages of Getting a CEREC Crown?
One of the most obvious advantages of CEREC crowns is the fact that they only require one appointment. This means you don’t have to worry about making room in your schedule for multiple trips to the dentist. On top of that, having the final crown created and placed on the same day means you won’t have to worry about wearing a temporary restoration.
Another notable benefit of CEREC crowns is how lifelike they look. Being made out of ceramic material means they can be personalized to blend in seamlessly with the rest of your smile. But you don’t have to worry about sacrificing quality for aesthetics; a CEREC crown is durable enough to last around 10 years or longer with the right care.
What are the Drawbacks of Getting a CEREC Crown?
Generally speaking, CEREC crowns tend to cost more than traditional crowns. This can be attributed to the advanced technology used to create a CEREC crown. Of course, many patients find that the higher cost is balanced out by the convenience of being able to have the final restoration placed right away.
It’s important to note that CEREC crowns aren’t necessarily the best choice for every patient. In particular, they are not recommended if the damage to the tooth extends below the gumline. This is due to the fact that the camera used as part of the CEREC process can’t capture images of the area beneath the gums. Thus, a traditional crown may be more suitable under certain circumstances.
In short, CEREC crowns certainly offer plenty of benefits that make them worthwhile, but they are not without their share of disadvantages. If you schedule a consultation with your dentist, they can go over the pros and cons of getting a CEREC crown in more detail to help you determine whether the treatment is truly right for you.
About the Author
Dr. Robert Saphner studied dentistry at the University of Minnesota, and he has earned Fellowship status in the Academy of General Dentistry, which is something only 6% of dentists in the United States and Canada have achieved. At his La Crosse practice, All Smiles Implants and Family Dental, he offers CEREC same-day dental crowns for the convenience of his patients. If you’re interested in repairing your tooth with a CEREC crown, schedule an appointment with Dr. Saphner by visiting his website or calling (608) 668-6415.