A severely damaged tooth can be troubling to deal with, but your dentist can get you back up and running quickly with a CEREC crown. However, hearing this type of restoration is often followed by some questions. Not every dental office has this cutting-edge piece of technology, so it’s normal not to be the most familiar with it. Keep reading to find out four answers to what many people ask.
1.) Does “CEREC” Mean Anything?
This acronym is often used to refer to the machine that allows your dentist to place custom crowns on a single visit. It means Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. You get to skip the waiting period of needing a dental lab to craft a crown, but instead, this machine will mill it in-office. It does this by a digital impression that your dentist takes after preparing your tooth.
2.) How Long Does a CEREC Crown Treatment Take?
The bulk of this treatment is preparing your tooth to receive the CEREC crown. Depending on your case, it may take a couple of hours. Firstly, your dentist will remove a small amount of enamel from the sides of the injured tooth; this will help the restoration fit tighter. After your dentist takes a scan of your mouth, a model of the crown is made and sent to a machine. It can take about 30 minutes to sculpt it out of a porcelain block. When it’s all done, it’s ready to be placed.
3.) What Benefits Do CEREC Crowns Have?
One of the biggest advantages of a CEREC crown is its convenience. You don’t have to wear a temporary crown, which isn’t as durable and can come out if you aren’t careful. They are also known to cause some irritation to nearby teeth and gums. Instead of waiting two weeks for a dental lab to craft your restoration, you just have to hang out for a short while.
4.) Do CEREC Crowns Last a Long Time?
You might imagine that CEREC crowns are too good to be true, so they must not last as long. Thankfully, they are just as reliable as their traditional counterpart. With proper care, they can last for 10 to 15 years, letting you have a confident smile and bite once again.
While CEREC crowns may have been a mystery to you, getting to know how this restoration can benefit you is important. You should feel confident in making decisions about your oral health after all!
About the Author
At All Smiles Dental of Carrollton, you benefit from the leadership of Dr. Jordan. He is passionate about taking care of you and your oral health, giving you the treatments you need to get back to pristine health. By offering CEREC one-visit crowns, you can get a lifelike restoration that lasts for years to come and lets you get back to your routine sooner rather than later. If you have any questions about this convenient technology, schedule an appointment or call (972) 306-2273.