Traditionally, the process for designing and placing a dental crown requires at least two appointments. Modern technology is changing that. More and more practices are choosing to offer CEREC same-day crowns. What exactly is a CEREC crown, and what can you expect from the treatment process? Read this blog post to find answers to those — and other — relevant questions.
What Exactly Is a CEREC Crown?
CEREC is an acronym that stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. That sounds like a mouthful, but the concept is pretty easy to understand. Essentially, CEREC uses CAD/CAM technology that allows dentists to design and fabricate top-quality ceramic dental crowns in their office without the assistance of a third-party dental laboratory. From beginning to end, the CEREC process usually takes just a few hours.
What Happens During the CEREC Process?
First, your dental team needs to prepare your tooth to support a crown. This may involve removing a bit of its enamel. Then, they use an advanced digital scanner to capture impressions of your mouth. Your dentist uses sophisticated software to design your crown so it will look and feel natural in your mouth.
While you wait, a milling machine creates your crown out of a single block of high-quality dental ceramic. Once the crown is ready, your dental team verifies that it meets their rigorous standards before they attach it to your prepared tooth.
What Are the Benefits of CEREC Crowns?
Some of the top benefits of CEREC crowns include:
- The treatment process is fast, and you may be able to avoid multiple trips to your dentist’s office.
- CEREC crowns look and feel natural in the mouth.
- In most cases, CEREC technology eliminates the need for patients to wear a temporary crown.
- CEREC crowns are very durable.
How Do CEREC Crowns Compare to Traditional Crowns?
Both CEREC crowns and traditional crowns can be very durable; they often last for 10 years or longer. The costs of these restorations are also comparable in most cases.
Some potential differences between these types of crowns include:
- CEREC crowns are always made of ceramic, whereas traditional crowns can be composed of a variety of materials.
- Digital impression technology may lead to better-fitting crowns than the manual impressions that are often used for traditional restorations.
Do you have other questions about CEREC crowns that were not addressed in this blog post? Talk to your local CEREC dentist to learn more!
Meet the Practice
At the Center for Advanced Dentistry in Beachwood, Drs. Schlessel and Hornstein take great pride in providing top-quality care for patients. That is why they have invested in numerous state-of-the-art technologies, including CEREC. If you would like to learn more about one-visit restorations, our team would be pleased to speak with you. Contact our office at 216-595-1710.