The conventional process for designing and attaching a dental crown requires at least two dental appointments, which are typically spread out across at least a few weeks. Many patients find the procedure to be tedious and time-consuming. Fortunately, you may be a candidate for a different type of crown — one that can be designed and secured onto your tooth in just a single appointment. Let’s talk more about what a CEREC crown is, how the process works, and how you can benefit from this technology.
What Is a CEREC Crown?
CEREC is an acronym that stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. That sounds like quite a mouthful, but the basic idea is easy to understand. Simply put, advanced technology is used to scan your teeth and fabricate a beautiful ceramic crown — all in a single dental appointment.
Some of the top advantages of CEREC crowns include:
- There is no need for your dentist to communicate with a nearby laboratory, meaning the process is extremely streamlined.
- The ceramic used to make CEREC crowns is incredibly durable and natural-looking.
- The process is so quick that you will not need to wear a temporary crown.
- In some cases, CEREC restorations cost less than traditional ones.
- There is no need for messy, uncomfortable manual dental impressions.
The CEREC Process
The CEREC process is pretty straightforward. It typically goes like this:
- Your dentist prepares your tooth. This usually requires that they remove some enamel so the crown will fit well.
- An intraoral scanner is used to create a three-dimensional digital representation of your teeth.
- Advanced software helps your dentist design your crown.
- The final design gets sent to a ceramic milling machine, which fabricates the crown out of a single block of dental-grade ceramic.
- Your dentist verifies that the size, shape, and color of your crown are all a match for your mouth. Then, they attach it to your tooth.
How Long Will Your Appointment Take?
The CEREC process is obviously much faster than that involved in creating a traditional crown. However, it isn’t instant. Ask your dental team how much time you should set aside for your appointment. In most cases, a few hours is a sufficient length of time for a CEREC crown to be created and attached. You may have some downtime while you are waiting for your restoration to be fabricated, so be sure to bring a game or reading material to keep your mind occupied while you wait.
Do you need a dental crown? Partnering with a practice that has CEREC technology can save you time, spare you from making multiple trips to the dental office, and provide you with a restoration that is both durable and beautiful.
About the Practice
The team of six dentists and specialists at Advanced Dentistry of Alhambra are proud to offer a broad range of services, including one-visit CEREC crowns. They are continually seeking new ways to incorporate state-of-the-art technology into our practice. To learn more about them and the CEREC process, contact us at 626-289-6131.