Crowns are an integral part of fixing dental issues like damaged teeth. CEREC crowns are crowns that can be made in your dentist’s office, instead of in an offsite dental lab. That means your crown will be made the same day, making CEREC crowns a great way to deal with broken crowns and other unexpected tooth damage.
The main pro of CEREC crowns is the fact they are made at your dentist’s office, allowing you to get a crown in one appointment. However, there are a few cons, like CEREC crowns can’t be used in all cases.
What Are CEREC Crowns?
Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, commonly known as CEREC, is a special computer device used to create same-day dental crowns, inlays or onlays, and porcelain veneers right in the office.
Instead of taking impressions and having them mailed to an external laboratory to create the crown and deliver it back, CEREC allows your dentist to complete the tooth preparation, impressions, restorations and adjustments in-house during one visit.
Pros of CEREC Crowns
Speed
The main pro of CEREC crowns is the speed. Instead of multiple appointments, CEREC crowns allow your crow to be made instantly, without waiting.
That’s why CEREC crowns are often called same-day crowns or one-appointment crowns.
Comfort
Instead of taking traditional impressions, CEREC generates quick and clean digital impressions. This means no uncomfortable moulds are needed to determine the size and shape of your crown.
Versatility
CEREC technology can be utilized for numerous applications including inlays, onlays, crowns and veneers.
No Temporary Crown
If you need a crown, there’s a good chance you have a broken or damaged tooth. When getting a traditional crown, you’ll usually wear a temporary crown until the permanent one is installed.
With a same-day CEREC crown, you’ll skip the temporary crown. That means you won’t have to deal with issues like sensitivity that can come with a temporary crown.
Cost
The cost of a CEREC crown is about the same as a traditional crown in most cases. However, time is money, and only one appointment means you won’t have to miss work, get a babysitter, or incur other costs to attend multiple dental appointments.
Cons of CEREC Crowns
Use Cases
There are certain scenarios where CEREC crowns are not the best option. For example, when tooth fractures extend below the gumline.
Limited Availability
One of the most significant disadvantages of CEREC crowns is that not all dentists offer it. Due to the cost of acquiring the specialized equipment and training required to manufacture and fit the crowns, it can be hard to find a dentist who offers one-day crowns.
Durability
There are more durable options than CEREC crowns, which are ceramic-based. Gold is a good example of an extremely durable crown material that offers longer-term durability.
However, there are drawbacks to gold as well. CEREC crowns will blend in with your natural teeth, whereas you’ll notice the crown more if it is made of gold.
Getting a CEREC Crown
The process of getting a CEREC crown may vary slightly depending on your specific needs, but typically, a CEREC crown appointment follows these steps:
- An exam.
- Digital impressions with a specialized camera.
- Colour matching to your natural teeth.
- The CEREC machine creates the crown.
- The dentist cleans up, polishes, and prepares the crown to ensure a perfect fit.
- The crown is placed.
Talk to Your Dentist about CEREC Crowns
Whether you need to replace an old crown or have a damaged tooth, CEREC crowns can be a quick and convenient solution.To know if CEREC crowns are a good fit for your smile, contact Shin Dentistry.
