Dental crowns are a vital part of our restorative services. They can rescue broken or decayed teeth by holding them together and shielding them from further harm. Additionally, crowns can enhance the appearance of unsightly teeth.
In dentistry, a crown, often referred to as a cap, is essentially a false tooth designed to fit over a damaged or compromised natural tooth. These crowns are custom-made to match your smile and are built to be long-lasting. Many dental conditions necessitate the use of crowns to preserve your teeth. In certain cases, such as after a root canal or a large filling, a tooth may become weakened and prone to cracking or breaking, making the application of a crown essential for protection.
At our practice, we've simplified the process with the help of CEREC® technology, which stands for Chairside Economical Restorations of Esthetic Ceramics. This innovative technology allows us to provide you with a high-quality, permanent crown in just one visit. Our in-house milling device quickly creates a custom crown to fit your smile, streamlining the entire crown procedure, from preparation to placement.
In many dental offices, the crown process can be a time-consuming and multi-step ordeal. Typically, you would need to make two separate appointments: one for tooth preparation and impression-taking to send to a lab and another for the placement of your permanent crown. Often, you would have to wait for at least two weeks between these appointments, and in some cases, the crown might not fit correctly or require adjustments, necessitating new impressions and further delays.
Similar to a traditional dental crown appointment, we will perform any necessary fillings or root canals before preparing your tooth. The preparation involves reshaping your tooth to ensure the crown fits securely. Impressions of your teeth are essential for crafting a well-fitting crown. However, CEREC® simplifies this process. Instead of using goop-based impressions, we employ specialized cameras to create a 3D digital model. This model is reviewed on a computer to ensure accuracy and select an appropriate color that matches your other teeth. Once you are satisfied with the 3D impression, the CEREC® machine takes just 10–20 minutes to mill your new crown. Since there's no need to send impressions to an external lab, you won't have to deal with temporary crowns or extended waiting times. Your permanent crown can be placed as soon as the machine completes its milling process. Getting a dental crown can be a hassle-free experience with the help of the CEREC® system, allowing us to restore your smile in just a single visit.