Crowns

Over time our teeth begin to weaken and become more susceptible to problems such as decay, cracks, discoloration and others. If you feel your smile isn’t what it once was, crowns can help you recover your smile. If your dentist notices that a tooth is decayed or seems weakened/cracked a crown may be necessary to make sure that there are no additional problems with the tooth. In cases like this a filling or bonding will not be sufficient.

Crowns can be made from porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, or full gold. To maintain a natural look and feel a porcelain finished crown is best, as it can be matched to the shade of your other teeth. This will allow it to blend in and appear just like one of your natural teeth.

The process of installing a crown takes 2-3 visits to the dentist. On the first visit the tooth will be reshaped by filing down the enamel so that the crown can be placed over it. You will be given a local anesthetic before this part of the procedure so that you do not experience any discomfort. Once the tooth has been reshaped, a mold will be taken of that tooth and the surrounding teeth. This mold will be sent to a dental lab so that your new crown can be made so that it fits in the spot created for it and looks the same relative to the surrounding teeth. Before leaving, your dentist will fit you with a temporary crown until your permanent crown is ready.

The crown takes about 1-2 weeks to be returned to your dentist. At this time you will have another appointment to place and fit the permanent crown. You should care for it as you would any of your other teeth with regular brushing and flossing.

CEREC One-Visit All-Porcelain Crowns

Even though your teeth are covered with tough, durable enamel, cracks and fractures can weaken them. To cover damage and strengthen teeth, we may recommend CEREC porcelain crowns.

Also known as a cap, a dental crown is a restoration that covers the tooth to the gum line. While crowns restore the tooth to its normal shape and size, they also strengthen the remaining tooth structure and improve appearance. Most crowns are placed on your teeth after a preliminary treatment, such as a filling or a root canal. All cerec crowns are made of porcelain, so your restored tooth matches the appearance and feel of your natural teeth.

CEREC Dental Technology

After taking a highly accurate bite impression, we use CEREC, a CAD/CAM design technology, to create your porcelain crown in a single appointment. CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics and is an advanced technology that benefits patients who enjoy the convenience of restorations that are made in-house. CEREC uses digital technology to approximate the restoration that will be placed in your mouth. The design process is monitored by our dentists so that a dental crown that reflects your needs is created. After the dental crown design is refined, the data is sent to a milling unit which manufactures the restoration from a solid block of ceramic. The dentist then bonds your restoration to your tooth for a fit that is natural and durable.

Our dentists can also replace metal crowns with porcelain crowns.

Benefits of CEREC Dental Crowns

CEREC dental crowns boast many benefits over traditional restorations including the following:

  • Single visit convenience- no temporaries
  • No uncomfortable impression trays
  • Beautiful aesthetics- color matched ceramic
  • Enamel-like materials for a natural look and feel

Clinically proven – CEREC crowns have provided millions of successful restorations worldwide

If you have cracks or chips in your teeth, schedule a complimentary consultation by contacting our office today.