If your tooth is badly damaged or decayed, we will likely recommend a dental crown. Although traditional lab-created crowns remain popular, many dentists and patients now choose CEREC same day crowns instead. Depending on who you ask, CEREC stands for either CERamic REConstruction or Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. Whichever acronym you prefer, here are 3 reasons to choose a CEREC same day crown.
1. Convenience
CEREC same day crowns are quite convenient for both the dentist and the patient. A traditional lab-created crown takes two visits to complete. At your first appointment, we will clean out all damage and decay and prepare your tooth for your crown. We will then take messy dental impressions to send to the lab, and place a temporary crown on your tooth. You will come back in a few days or weeks for us to place your permanent crown.
With CEREC, we can repair and prepare your tooth as usual, and then take digital impressions. We feed these into a computer and create a 3-D model of your new crown using specialized CAD (computer aided design) software. We then send the model to our in-office milling machine, which uses a block of color-matched dental porcelain to create your customized crown. We will bond the crown to your tooth before you leave, making it unnecessary to return for a second appointment.
2. Aesthetics
Porcelain over metal crowns are reasonably aesthetic, but they have certain limitations. The biggest concern is that the metal frame can show through the porcelain as a thin, dark line along the gums.
CEREC same day crowns have a more natural and aesthetic appearance because they are made entirely of top-quality dental porcelain. There is no metal frame, so there is no dark line along your gums.
3. Strength and Durability
CAD technology allows us to create a more secure, precise fit than is possible with a lab-created crown. The dental porcelain used in CEREC same day crowns is biocompatible, stain resistant, durable, and long-lasting. It more closely mirrors natural tooth enamel, and is approximately 18 percent stronger than the typical crown created in a dental lab. In addition, you will not need to deal with an uncomfortable, poorly fitted temporary crown.
Of course, there is no right solution that works for everyone. We will discuss your treatment options with you and help you choose just the right solution to meet your personal needs and goals. For many patients, though, a CEREC same day crown is the best way to improve aesthetics and functionality while reducing the amount of time spent sitting in the dental chair.
Ready to Get Started?
If you are looking for a compassionate, family-oriented dentist in Shelton, CT, contact Smile Dental Center today at (203) 712-7726 to schedule your first appointment.