Same Day Crowns
Some of the most advanced pieces of dental technology at Crossroads Family Dental are our in-office 3D scanner and CAD/CAM milling machine. These allow your dental crowns to be made in a single visit.
What is a dental crown?
Many patients have asked us to explain the difference between a filling and a crown. A filling is a tooth-colored material (called composite) that replaces a relatively small area of damage to the tooth from decay (also known as a cavity or dental caries). However, when damage is more extensive due to larger decay, a failing previous filling, or more extensive injury or cracking of the tooth, a crown is an excellent choice. A crown involves reducing the surface area of the whole tooth and permanently cementing a custom-designed porcelain restoration to cover and protect the entire top portion of the tooth. While the crown is a bigger investment financially, they do last comparatively longer than a filling, helping to offset the cost over time. They also look and feel very natural in your smile! Crowns allow your natural tooth to stay put within its socket, preventing the need for an extraction
and replacement.
How are crowns placed?
First, we prepare your tooth for the crown. We reduce a portion of your damaged tooth’s outer surface comfortably using local anesthetic. By doing this, we create space so that your restoration can fit in both naturally and comfortably. After the tooth is prepared, we create a 3D model using our scanning wand. The digital information is sent to our computer software where your crown is designed virtually. Once we are satisfied with your custom design, the data is sent to our onsite milling machine in our reception area. It has a viewing window which allows you to observe the fabrication of your crown. The crown is then placed in a high temperature porcelain oven in our onsite lab for strength. Once cool, we make sure that the crown fits properly and cement it into place.
First, we prepare your tooth for the crown. We reduce a portion of your damaged comfortably using local anesthetic. By doing this, we create space so that your restoration can fit in both naturally and comfortably. After the tooth is prepared, we create a 3D model using our scanning wand. The digital information is sent to our computer software where your crown is designed virtually. Once we are satisfied with your custom design, the data is sent to our onsite milling machine in our reception area. It has a viewing window which allows you to observe the fabrication of your crown. The crown is then placed in a high temperature porcelain oven in our onsite lab for strength. Once cool, we make sure that the crown fits properly and cement it into place.
Having your CEREC same day crown made right here at Crossroads Family Dental makes significant improvements over the traditional methods of crown fabrication:
No more goopy impression material: Many patients remember sitting with a plastic tray in their mouth for several minutes waiting for a mold material to set up in their mouth. With our 3D scanning wand, we’re able to capture the same information more accurately and more comfortably using photo and video.
Less time away from work or school: Traditional crowns required multiple visits (usually 2 or even 3) as we had to wait for the lab to fabricate the restoration. With single visit dentistry, we’re able to help restore the health and beauty of your teeth quickly, allowing you to spend less time away from your work or from your family life.
No more temporary crowns: Gone are the days of having a temporary crown covering your tooth while waiting the 2-3 weeks for your “permanent” crown to arrive back from the lab. Gone are the trips to the drug store to purchase more temporary cement to replace the temporary crown when it inevitably popped off over the weekend. There is no temporary step in CEREC. You leave with your long-term porcelain crown!
Higher accuracy: CEREC technology has eliminated many opportunities for human error in the crown making process. This means that your new crown is significantly more likely to fit precisely the first time!
Better contours: Since your crown is designed by one of our expertly trained assistants and Dr. Nicholas Berns on a chair side computer, we have full control over the shape, contours, and function of your new crown. This also allows you to observe the design, which is quite intriguing to observe if you so desire.
Is there more than one type?
There are a few different types of crown material:
• Metal crowns. This more traditional crown material is very high in strength, making it good material for teeth that face a large amount of chewing pressure (the teeth at the back of the mouth). However, despite their strength, metal crowns are not very esthetically pleasing. They are typically gold or silver in color, making them stand out from the rest of your natural teeth.
• Porcelain fused to metal (PFM) crowns. PFM crowns are an older type of crown, that features a metal shell that surrounds the damaged tooth with a porcelain outer coating that mimics the appearance of your natural teeth. While more esthetically appealing, a thin metal line may sometimes show through at the base of the crown. If you can see dark, metallic edges with your existing crowns, ask Dr. Nicholas Berns about replacing them with a stronger, more esthetic ceramic crown.
• Ceramic crowns. Crowns made entirely of ceramic are the best esthetic choice. Ceramic mimics
many of the properties of your natural enamel, including the color of your teeth and the way in which
the material reflects light. The blocks used in our onsite milling unit are made of high-strength ceramic material.
What are the benefits of crowns?
Crowns offer numerous benefits:
• Weakened teeth are provided with strength.
• Your teeth are covered and protected from further harm and infection.
• There is no need for an extraction.
• Ceramic crowns restore the appearance of your smile by replacing older metal based crowns or silver fillings.
• Crowns can also be used to protect a tooth that has a large filling, anchor a dental bridge, or serve as the top of a prosthetic replacement tooth over a dental implant.
For more information on crowns and the best way to restore your smile to health and function, contact Crossroads Family Dental today at 219-865-4095!