CEREC Same-Day Crowns
Repair Teeth in Record Time
Crowns have long been a reliable choice when a patient needs a restorative treatment that’s more protective than a filling, inlay, or onlay. Also called dental caps, crowns completely cover a severely decayed or damaged tooth in order to renew the tooth’s functionality and natural appearance. They are an excellent restorative treatment, but they do have a drawback—crowns take time. Your time. Traditional crowns require two appointments: one appointment to prepare the tooth, take a molded impression and place a temporary crown until a dental lab fabricates a permanent crown based on the impression. At the second visit, the temporary is removed and the permanent crown is set.
Now, however, same-day crowns are entirely possible! Southeastern Dental Care can design, build and place a crown in just one visit to our conveniently located Lakeville, MA office. CEREC is an in-office system that combines computer aided design and 3D software for designing your new tooth with a milling unit to fabricate a tooth restoration. Dr. Bui, and the rest of our team will determine if you are a qualified candidate for a CEREC crown. If the answer is yes, then you’re on your way to having a refurbished tooth in just one visit to Southeastern Dental Care.
Watch CEREC in Action
Each CEREC restoration is milled right in our office based on the custom design created by Dr. Bui that was made using a 3D scan of a patient’s mouth. A small block of dental-grade porcelain is precisely carved using small rotating arms that are lubricated with a steady stream of water. This reduces friction and allows the arms to move as fast as possible to make the process extremely quick.
The CEREC Procedure
At your appointment for a same-day crown, we’ll first anesthetize the area around the tooth that needs a CEREC crown so our doctors can prepare the tooth while you’re comfortable. Then, a digital impression is taken and entered into the CEREC computer system. The computer develops a virtual representation of your tooth, including its precise shape, color, size and unique biting surface. While you relax in the chair after your tooth has been prepared, this model is transferred to the milling unit in our office. In about 20 minutes, your new CEREC crown is fabricated from a block of dental porcelain. Once milled, the crown can be polished or stained for the finishing touches. The resulting product is a tooth restoration that blends seamlessly with your other teeth. Moreover, your new tooth is strong and durable.
Once Dr. Bui examines the crown and is completely satisfied, she checks the fit and then cements the crown into place on top of your prepared tooth.
Caring for Your CEREC Crown
For the best care, brush and floss your CEREC tooth restoration just as you do your other teeth. Be sure to pay particularly close attention to the area where the crown meets your gum line, because plaque is more likely to accumulate here.
If you’re due for a dental cleaning and exam, or if you’ve been told that you have a tooth that needs a crown, then contact Southeastern Dental Care. We’ll be glad to tell you more about CEREC same-day crowns or to schedule a consultation.