Ten Things to Know About CEREC Crowns
If there is a dental crown in your future, read on to learn about a type of crown called “CEREC”, which is the acronym for “Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics”. These durable and realistic looking crowns are a popular and efficient option for many people. CEREC Crown technology is available at your Today’s Dental locations.
Why would someone need a dental crown?
Getting a crown (sometimes called a dental cap) is one of the most common restorative dental procedures. There are many reasons someone may need a crown. Crowns can restore the look and function of teeth that are worn, damaged, or have deteriorated from significant tooth decay. Dentists will use crowns when a person’s original tooth structure is compromised from a chip, crack, or break, or when there isn’t enough tooth to support a filling for a large cavity. A crown may also be used to restore someone’s smile when the teeth are very worn, discolored, or misshapen. During a root canal, the blood supply to a tooth is cut off, which can cause the tooth to become brittle. Because of this, crowns are commonly used after a root canal to help protect the remaining natural tooth from breaking. Sometimes, crowns are also used with other restorative devices like dental implants or to help hold a bridge in the proper position. You can learn more about the different types of crowns here.
What is a CEREC Crown?
The CEREC Crown (sometimes referred to as “same day crown”) is a custom dental crown made from a very strong ceramic material. The dentist uses special computer-assisted technology to scan the teeth and create a digital model of the patient’s mouth. Using that scan, the CEREC Crown is then milled from a solid block of ceramic. This type of crown is typically very natural looking and durable.
What are the advantages of CEREC Crowns?
First, the major benefit for many patients is that a CEREC Crown can often be created and placed over the natural tooth in one visit. This saves the patient time and money. Other benefits include: CEREC eliminates the need for the patient to wear an ill-fitting and fragile temporary crown while they wait for a permanent crown to be created in a lab. Easier to match to the color of the natural teeth, which makes them easily blend in with the patient’s smile. Most people won’t be able to notice a CEREC Crown. The CEREC Crown eliminates the need for taking uncomfortable impressions- the tooth is created from a more precise digital scan. CEREC Crowns are very durable and with proper oral hygiene and regular checkups, should last many (10-15) years. The material used to create CEREC Crowns is completely free of metals, making them a great choice for patients with sensitivity to metal. Due to the precise nature of the process to create the CEREC Crown from digital scans, they tend to have a perfect fit and be very comfortable for patients.
Are there any disadvantages to CEREC Crowns?
There are very few disadvantages to CEREC Crowns, but a CEREC Crown may not be an option for everyone’s needs. There are cases where a dentist may not think CEREC Crown is the right choice to restore a patient’s smile. Other things to consider when deciding if CEREC Crown is the right choice: It is not quite as strong as a traditional porcelain crown that is fused to metal. If a patient vigorously grinds their teeth, the CEREC Crown may not be the right choice. In some cases, the CEREC Crown may be more expensive. This depends on insurance coverage. However, it is important to note- since the patient typically only must attend one appointment for a CEREC Crown, there is a time and money savings associated that may help offset the higher cost of the crown. If the dentist suspects there may be fractures below the gumline, the CEREC Crown may not be the right choice because the technology can’t scan below the gumline.
Are CEREC Crowns covered by insurance?
Yes, CEREC Crowns are covered by insurance just as any other crown would be. However, each person’s coverage and out of pocket costs are different. The dentist’s office should be able to determine the amount of coverage and remaining patient costs. If you need a crown- contact your Today’s Dental office today to learn more about the different crown options and to explore if the CEREC Crown is right for you.
