If you have a severely damaged or decayed tooth or have recently undergone a root canal procedure, there’s a good chance your dentist will want to rebuild your smile’s function and appearance by placing a dental crown.
Historically, the process of being fitted with one of these restorations required two appointments over a couple of weeks. But thanks to upgraded dental technology and techniques, many providers today offer CEREC same-day solutions instead. Continue reading to learn about 3 differences between these two options to help determine which is right for you!
Difference #1: More Accurate Impressions
These tooth-shaped caps are intended to fit over your damaged tooth to protect it from further harm while allowing you to continue using it to eat, speak, and smile confidently. In the past, making accurate impressions to design your prosthetic involved biting into a tray of putty-like material that hardens around the teeth. However, even the slightest change in your bite or pressure during this process can affect the fit of the final product.
Meanwhile, CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) uses state-of-the-art digital impressions that are loaded into special software to create a more accurate impression for a more comfortable dental crown that’s less likely to become destabilized or dislodged.
Difference #2: Reduced Wait Times
A dental crown is often required to prevent further damage to an already broken or decayed tooth and to prevent bacteria from penetrating it and causing an infection. But it can take a couple of weeks for the lab to create your one-of-a-kind restoration after they receive the required images and impressions.
Unfortunately, your mouth is full of germs, and some of the unhealthy microbes can potentially penetrate your injured enamel while you wait, which can contribute to additional disease, decay, or aches. The sooner you can place a protective cap, the less likely you are to experience complications. Thankfully, CEREC crowns can be placed in the same day as your initial visit to help protect your dental health.
Difference #3: Customizable, Lifelike Materials
Traditional dental crowns are made from amalgam mixtures of metal chosen for their durability. Although they can withstand the daily pressure of biting and chewing, they can also leave teeth looking dark or dirty.
Meanwhile, CEREC crowns are carved from a block of resilient ceramic in an onsite milling machine and are customized to resemble your natural enamel for seamless results. Not only can their lifelike appearance boost your confidence, but they often last just as long as their metallic counterparts.
If you have other questions about same-day restorations or whether you’re a good candidate for this option, you can learn more by contacting your dentist!
About the Practice
Patients at South Shore Dental Care benefit from a husband-and-wife dental team passionate about helping them build and maintain beautiful, healthy smiles. Drs. Dory and Khalida Stutman are both incredibly accomplished individually, and they collaborate to provide a complete menu of services, including CEREC same-day dental crowns, conveniently under one roof. Their caring approach is paired with state-of-the-art technology to deliver comfortable, accurate outcomes intended to last. You can request an appointment on the website or call the office at (516) 798-3808.