CEREC crowns: How do they work, and what is the process?

29 July 2022

CEREC crowns: How do they work, and what is the process?

Amidst the hustle and bustle of today’s world, everyone wants instant solutions to their problems without compromising quality. Advancing technology continuously strives to make your life comfortable and convenient. CEREC crowns are one of the considerable examples of the boon that technology is. 

What is a dental crown?

A dental crown is a small, cap-like structure custom-made according to the contour of your tooth. It is fixed over your tooth to protect it from any damage and secure the treatment that has been done on your tooth. A dentist recommends a crown to cover the damaged, broken, stained, or filled tooth. It can also cover the metallic dental implants embedded in your jawbone. Crowns can be made of diverse materials such as metal, resin, ceramic, porcelain, or a combination of ceramic and porcelain fused to metal.

Your dentist takes an impression of your tooth and sends the sample to a laboratory to get your crown manufactured. Until your permanent crown gets ready, the dentist puts a temporary crown, usually made of stainless steel, to prevent any damage in the meantime.

What are the pros and cons of traditional dental crowns?

Pros.

• Provide support to damaged, broken, or severely cracked teeth.
• Protect the teeth from any external damaging factors
• Cover the tooth treated by a root canal treatment and prevent the filling material from spilling out
• Provide an aesthetic look by covering stained teeth, dental implants
• Gives a more natural-looking and better shade than your actual teeth
• Made up of durable metals and hence provides strength to your teeth
• High success rate and no absolute contraindications

Cons.

• Discomfort, development of sensitivity after the procedure
• Porcelain crowns are more prone to getting chipped or cracked
• Dental cement may dissolve, and the crown gets loose and may even fall off

What are CEREC crowns?

CEREC dental crown is the abbreviated form of Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. These are popularly known as same-day crowns. Unlike the traditional crowns, where you have to wait for a few weeks before your crown is prepared in the laboratory, CEREC 3D crowns can be manufactured chairside within a few minutes and put over your teeth in a single sitting. They save an enormous amount of time and also the discomfort you face by waiting for weeks with your temporary crown, waiting for the permanent one. CEREC crowns are made up of very sturdy ceramic, and the entire process of manufacturing them is based on computer-assisted technology, i.e., the CAD/CAM technology. They are identical in their layout and function to the traditional crowns and serve the purpose of protecting your teeth reasonably well.

What are CEREC crowns made of?

Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics (CEREC) crowns, as the name itself indicates, are made up of robust and durable ceramics. They can also be made of porcelain or resin. These are made as 3D prints from the CEREC machine for crowns. 

What are the pros and cons of CEREC crowns?

Pros.

• Single-day procedure: This is one of the most significant advantages of the CEREC crown. The sole purpose of the introduction and popularity of CEREC crowns is the quick procedure. In cases of any emergency, these are the best options that you’ve got. You can walk into the dental practice and come out with a brand new CEREC one-day crown in just a few hours.
• Accurate shape and size: The entire process of CEREC dental crowns, from taking the impression to manufacturing, is computer-based, and hence, there is no manual involvement. This reduces the chance of error in manufacturing to almost zero. You get a perfectly fitting, natural-looking crown in a few minutes.
• Cosmetically better: CEREC ceramic crowns lack the metal core, which is present in traditional crowns. This makes them aesthetically better and natural-looking.
• Sturdy: The ceramics used in the manufacturing of CEREC crowns are a very sturdy material. It provides enormous strength to the crowns and makes them long-lasting. These are very reliable and resistant to abrasions.

Cons.

The only significant disadvantage of CEREC crowns is that the setup of CAD/CAM technology is quite expensive, so the average cost of CEREC crowns tends to be on the higher side. Also, these are not available at all dental practices. If you want to get a CEREC crown, visit the best High Wycombe dentist at Conway House Dental practice.

What is the step-by-step procedure for getting a CEREC crown?

You can visualise the process more vividly if you know how a 3D printer functions.

• After taking a history and doing an evaluation of your oral cavity, your dentist will ask you to open your mouth wide to allow him to take digital pictures of your tooth for which the CEREC dental crown has to be made.
• The exclusive technology used is known as CAD/CAM technology, which stands for Computer-Aided Designing/Computer Assisted Manufacturing. The design is created via the Computer-Aided Designing on the monitor, which is placed beside your chair.
• The Computer-Assisted Manufacturing technology then takes the design and creates a 3D CEREC crown in around 20 minutes. The final touch-up is done over the crown by the dentist, such as polishing and minor shaping.
• Your dentist will finally fit the new crown over your tooth and do the final touch-up. Now, you are ready to go.

How to care for CEREC crowns?

CEREC one-visit crowns don’t require any specialised care. However, in the initial few days after getting the crown, you should avoid sticky or hard food materials. It would be best if you strictly follow your oral hygiene routine. Brush your teeth twice a day, rinse your mouth after every meal, use a fluoride mouthwash, floss regularly, and avoid eating junk foods as much as possible. 

You should follow up with your dentist for a routine oral assessment. It will not only help you in keeping your teeth healthy and strong, but also help in knowing any potential threat to your teeth.

Which crown is the best: CEREC vs. traditional crowns?

This comparison is often made on a relative basis. The best is what meets your requirements optimally. If you are running short of time and need to get your damaged tooth replaced in an emergency, then CEREC crowns are undoubtedly the ones for you. But if you are in no major hurry and determined to get a gold crown, you can go for traditional crowns. Both types of crowns serve the purpose quite efficiently, so consider your requirements, go through the pros and cons of both types, and decide the best option for you. 

Your smile is precious, and our primary aim is to preserve this smile at Conway House Dental Practice. Our dentists and staff are determined to solve all your dental issues under a single roof with maximum efficiency. If you are in search of qualified High Wycombe dentists, then allow us to cater to your needs with our great dental services. We are ever ready to solve your queries. Reach out to us today.