Dental crowns, which are tooth-shaped caps that are placed atop a biological tooth as a restoration, are useful in a variety of scenarios, such as repairing large areas of tooth decay as well as protecting a fragile tooth following root canal therapy.
With CEREC crowns, the process of protecting your smile gets even easier for the patient. The CEREC system, which stands for Chairside Economical Restorations of Esthetic Ceramics, provides the patient with a custom-designed crown in a single appointment lasting just a few hours.
In contrast, traditional dental crowns require a dentist to take measurements and impressions of a patient’s tooth, which are then sent to an outside dental lab to be manufactured. That entire process usually takes a couple of weeks and requires at least two appointments with the dentist.
A crown can be produced right in the office with CEREC, however. The patient’s measurements are transferred directly to a computer that uses specialized software to analyze the measurements and determine the specifications for the crown, which is then made by an in-house milling unit. The patient’s tooth can be prepped for crown placement while awaiting the final product to be ready, and the crown can be bonded to the tooth, leaving the patient to enjoy the rest of his or her day.
For the least amount of disruption to your daily routine, CEREC offers great convenience and can be a superior alternative to a traditional crown.
Saving a biological tooth is always the preferred approach to promote oral health when it is possible to do so. If you need to restore a tooth after experiencing an injury or some large cavity, consider CEREC crowns for an efficient treatment option to keep your oral health on track.
