Fast One Visit Crowns in Mt. Pleasant, SC
What is a Crown?
“Having a crown placed” means placing a strong yet hollow “cap” over a tooth that has been damaged. Whether that tooth has been broken, chipped, damaged by decay, or even replaced by a dental implant, it needs to be restored. Crowns restore strength, beauty, and longevity to a damaged tooth.
Crowns can be customized so that the color, shape, and size match the neighboring teeth for a natural look. Once made, the crown is cemented to the natural tooth and can last for many years when cared for properly.
What is a CEREC Crown?
CEREC crowns are the latest advancement in this procedure. The acronym stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. This is a state-of-the-art system that creates and places high-quality crowns in just one dental visit.
The CEREC Process vs. Traditional Porcelain Dental Crown Process
Having a crown placed used to be a time-consuming ordeal that lasted over two weeks with two separate visits to the dentist. The first visit meant making any necessary repairs to the natural tooth (i.e. removing the decay, filling the cavity) then taking a mold of the natural tooth to be sent off to the laboratory. The patient would then be fitted with a temporary restoration and sent home to wait for their crown to be completed and sent back to the dental office. A second visit was later required to cement the permanent restoration in place.
CEREC cuts down this process to a quick, one-stop dental appointment. This machine uses advanced 3D photography and CAD/CAM technology to create a virtual restoration. This virtual image of the tooth is then sent to the “milling unit”- the part of the machine that artfully (and quickly!) crafts a customized restoration in minutes. This restoration is then immediately placed over the natural tooth for a perfect fit allowing the patient to leave our office with a brand new, completely restored smile in just one visit!
Does Faster Mean a Weaker, Inferior Product?
Absolutely not! In fact, CEREC crowns have been proven to look excellent, provide a perfect fit and last for a long time. The advanced technology and virtual restoration ensure that each crown is made precisely and eliminates any human error.
Is CEREC More Expensive?
Often times, bigger machinery means higher prices. Fortunately, the CEREC machines mean that we can cut down on the work and time it takes to restore your smile and often this means that the average cost of crowns is lower! Generally, a portion of dental crown pricing is covered by insurance so check with your dental insurance!
How Do I Know If I Need One?
Crowns can be used in more situations than you might think. Below are just some of the ways they can restore a smile:
- To protect a tooth weakened (i.e. by decay), especially after root canal treatment
- To restore strength and appearance to a worn down or broken tooth
- To cover a filling
- To hide stained teeth- if you are planning on whitening your teeth, however, do so before receiving a crown as they resist whitening and can cause uneven shading in your smile.
- To hold a dental bridge in place
- To cover a dental implant
- To protect a child’s teeth if they are highly susceptible to developing tooth decay
What’s The Difference Between a Crown and a Veneer?
Both of these procedures are similar in that they are both restorative and cosmetic in nature. They both improve the appearance of a tooth and they can both be used to protect a tooth. However, oftentimes, your dentist will choose one over the other for certain reasons. If a tooth is severely weakened and needs stronger structural support all over- your dentist may choose a crown. However, if a tooth can benefit from a protective covering over just the front surface of the tooth he will most likely choose a veneer since this means less removal of tooth structure.
Is Getting A CEREC Crown Painful?
Oftentimes the procedure is relatively painless. While most situations require filing the tooth down to make room for the restoration, anesthesia is used to numb the tooth and surrounding areas so that the patient is pain and anxiety-free throughout the entire process.
How Do I Care for My CEREC Crown?
Caring for your restoration means following basic oral hygiene. Continue to brush and floss regularly- flossing at least once a day and brushing at least twice is best. Using antibacterial mouth rinse can also eliminate the potential for decay or gum disease.
How Long Will My CEREC Crown Last?
The way that you care for your crown determines how long it can last. Generally, however, crowns can last anywhere from 5 to 15 years!
Can I Avoid Dental Crown Replacement?
CEREC crowns are strong and resilient. However, after a number of years replacing a dental crown is inevitable and can be necessary due to:
- Damage
- Excessive wear
- Tooth decay (crowns are still susceptible to cavities!)
- The appearance is no longer acceptable
One Visit Crowns at Smiling Oak Dentistry
Aside from his unending pursuit of the latest and most effective dental techniques, Mt. Pleasant dentist Dr. Jeff Gardner is a firm believer in the use of technology to provide better service for his patients so he provides ONE VISIT CROWNS by CEREC. He and his team know that they have to constantly improve, and a key area that allows for constant improvement is in learning and adapting to the most up-to-date breakthroughs that the dental industry can offer to patients and clients in the following locations:
- Mt. Pleasant, SC
- Downtown Charleston, SC
For more information on how our beautiful, natural-looking restorations can benefit you, visit us at Smiling Oak Dentistry or schedule your next appointment by calling us at (843) 884-0335.
