CEREC - Dental Crowns In One Visit Article

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CEREC - Dental Crowns in One Visit

Getting a traditional dental crown requires two visits to the dentist. On the first visit, an impression of your teeth is made and the tooth is prepared by shaving it down. The impression is then sent to a laboratory while you wear a temporary crown, typically made of some type of plastic. On your second visit, the temporary crown is replaced by the durable crown.

Author: Paula Blackburn

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Enter CEREC. CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. This new technology - available in the offices of some cosmetic dentists - enables the CEREC-equipped dentist to mill and fit a crown during the same visit. CEREC's “Computer-assisted design—Computer-assisted manufacture" or “CAD-CAM” technology produces a pure ceramic crown while you wait. The laboratory step in the process is eliminated, as is the temporary crown, and the inconvenience and cost of a second visit.

How does it Work?

The damaged tooth is prepared by applying a thin layer of reflective powder directly on the tooth’s surface. A 360-degree image of the tooth is then generated by a special camera and transferred to a computer where the dentist can edit the image to fit the individual needs of the patient.

A ceramic block is placed in the milling chamber once the image is prepared, and within minutes the crown is milled and ready to place.

CEREC’s Advantages

- Crowns are made in one visit, saving time and eliminating inconvenience
- The potential discomfort of a temporary crown is eliminated
- CEREC crowns have no metal in them
- The technology can also be used for fillings. Porcelain is more durable than typical white composite fillings
- The initial investment in the technology is expensive. However, it can save money over the long run because there is no extra lab technician fee for the dentist, and only one appointment is required, not two

Are there Disadvantages?

CEREC crowns are milled out of a single block of ceramic. This can become problematic when matching them with the subtle color gradients of natural teeth. Although some companies are now making ceramic blocks with a color gradient, the cosmetic dentist needs a good deal of training, skill, and talent in order to create a natural-looking crown with this technology.

About Author

If you live in the Grand Rapids area, and are interested in getting a CEREC crown, contact Dr. J. Mulder Jr.

Click here to read about his CEREC porcelain crown technique and see photographs of his work.

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CEREC - Dental Crowns in One Visit