If you have major damage to your tooth, or just a substantial cavity, you will likely need a crown or onlay. Increasingly, dentists and patients are turning to CEREC same day restorations.
Depending on who you ask, CEREC stands for either Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, or CERamic REConstruction. Either way, CEREC has revolutionized modern dentistry with its promise of a same day tooth restoration of the highest quality. Here are the top 5 reasons to choose CEREC crowns or onlays.
1. Tooth Structure Preservation
Traditional crowns require a great deal of tooth structure to be removed. Yet the more tooth structure that can be preserved, the stronger and less likely to fail the final restoration will be. CEREC technology allows your dentist to remove far less tooth structure than a traditional crown, especially if your tooth can accept an onlay rather than a crown, making your new restoration more likely to last a lifetime. Of course, you must continue to seek regular dental care so that any signs of decay are caught and treated immediately.
2. Convenience
CEREC streamlines and simplifies what was once a cumbersome process into a single appointment. Your tooth is repaired and prepared, and then digital impressions of your teeth are fed directly into a specialized computer. Your dentist will use 3-D CAD (computer aided design) technology to create a model of your new crown or onlay, and then send the design to a milling machine located in the office. The machine uses a block of color-matched porcelain to create the finished restoration, which is placed in your mouth before you leave. There is no need to return for a second appointment.
If you were to choose a dentist who does not use CEREC, you would need to visit that dentist for at least two appointments. During your first visit, the dentist would repair any existing issues with the tooth and prepare it for the crown. Impressions would be taken and sent off to a lab and, in most cases, you would be fitted with a temporary crown. A few days or weeks later, when your new crown was ready, you would have to make a new appointment and visit the dentist’s office to have the final crown placed.
3. Aesthetics
Although traditional porcelain over metal crowns can look fairly natural, it is difficult for them to match the look of natural enamel. In addition, many of these crowns have a small band of exposed metal at the gum line, which can greatly detract from the aesthetics.
By contrast, CEREC crowns and onlays are made entirely of porcelain. This gives them a stunningly natural look without the risk of exposed metal. Consequently, most people prefer the aesthetics of a CEREC restoration.
4. Durability
As CEREC crowns and onlays are fabricated from porcelain, they are strong, stain resistant, and exceptionally durable. In addition, CEREC restorations typically fit more securely than traditional crowns. CAD design is more accurate, and the porcelain is chemically bonded to the tooth. The material is biocompatible and more precisely mirrors the natural composition of your tooth. This makes CEREC restorations approximately 18 percent stronger than traditional crowns. In addition, you will not need to cope with a temporary crown for days or weeks. Temporary crowns are often loose and difficult to chew on.
5. Digital Impressions
Not only are digital impressions more precise than their traditional counterparts, but they are also far more comfortable. Traditional impression material is gooey, sticky, and often difficult to remove from the mouth when hardened, and it can induce the gag reflex. Digital impressions use nothing more than an intraoral camera, removing the goopy material from the equation. Another benefit is that your dentist’s office can store digital impressions for the future.
Although CEREC is currently best known for crowns, it is a wonderful solution for veneers and onlays as well. Although CEREC is not right for everyone, it has quickly become the gold standard treatment for many different dental restorations. Discuss CEREC with your dentist to learn whether it is the best choice for you.
Conveniently located in Woodbury, MN, Creekview Dental provides a progressive yet conservative approach to dental care. Our innovative, highly personalized procedures are focused on maintaining tooth structure and providing you with the healthy, beautiful smile you deserve. Call us today at 651-738-8204 to take the first steps on the road to better dental health.
