Advancements in dental technology have made it possible to obtain natural, tooth-colored crowns in a single visit. Same day crowns are created using the CEREC crown restoration system. CEREC uses a combination of computer CAD CAM design, infrared imaging, and a precise milling machine to create tooth designs in porcelain. From start to finish, same day crowns require approximately two hours to complete.
The same day crown procedure begins by preparing the tooth in the same manner as a traditional crown. An anesthetic is given and all decay and weakened tissue is removed. Next, the dentist will take an optical impression. Instead of using a messy mold, an impression of the tooth is taken with a special camera. The CEREC computer software then converts the digital scan of your tooth into a virtual model.
Once the design of the crown has been perfected, the data is sent to the CEREC milling machine which carves the tooth out of a ceramic block according to the dentist’s specifications. The block color is based on the original color of your tooth as well as the surrounding tooth for a natural look. The process of milling the crown can take as little as six minutes to complete.
The final step in a same day crown procedure is placement. After the tooth has been milled, our Matthews dentist will place it on your prepared tooth to ensure a proper fit. If the fit is correct, the crown will be bonded onto your tooth and polished. With same day crown placement, no temporary crown is needed and no follow up visit is required.
CEREC is effective for the restoration of cracked, chipped, or decayed teeth. It can create full crowns, as well as veneers, inlays, and onlays. Within minutes, CEREC can create crowns made out of compressed porcelain, making them stronger then the layered porcelain crowns typically made in laboratory restorations. Best of all, your crown can be designed, fabricated, and placed in one visit, saving you time and money.
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