Dental Crowns: How long is the process?

Patients with damaged teeth can benefit from crowns, which are tooth-shaped caps that help to stabilize the teeth. Crowns may be placed if there is severe decay or injury to a tooth or following a root canal, to provide additional support to the tooth.   In the past, patients in need of crowns had to wait until their information was sent to a dental lab, which would then craft the crowns. Then the crowns were returned to the dentist, who would then place the appliances. This process unfolded over a number of weeks. Patients could wear a temporary crown while waiting for the permanent appliance, but the temporary crowns can be prone to falling out.   Advanced materials and techniques now let patients reduce that wait time and take advantage of same day crowns.   A patient can be fitted with Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramic, or CEREC, crowns in as little as an hour.   These same day crowns are made of ceramic materials, which have a lifelike appearance. Standard crowns may be fused to metal, which can be detrimental to the smile’s appearance. CEREC crowns, on the other hand, do not damage the smile in any way. Furthermore, the CEREC materials allow the dentist to preserve more biological tooth material.   CEREC crowns are crafted right in the dentist’s office, which reduces wait time dramatically and eliminates the need for a second visit to the dentist’s office. CEREC software facilitates and speeds up the process. The “impressions” are taken digitally and transferred to the computer, which is then used to design the crown.   In addition to the software, in-office milling stations help dentists that offer CEREC with the quick turnaround of this type of crown. As is the case with standard crowns, CEREC crowns can be tailored to the patient’s specifications for shade and shape.   Patients who don’t want to wait for weeks to get permanent restorations should look into same day crowns. They’re quicker, and they offer great aesthetic results.   If you are considering dental crowns and would like more information, contact the Dallas office of Dr. Philip Kozlow today to schedule an informative consultation.