When a tooth is damaged beyond repair, a CEREC® crown is one treatment option available to restore its function and appearance. Like a traditional crown, a CEREC® crown is a cap that fits over the tooth. However, it offers its own unique advantages compared to a traditional crown while protecting the tooth in the same way.
A tooth can become damaged due to decay, trauma to the face, or biting down on something too hard. Sometimes when a tooth has had a large filling, the remaining natural structure can become brittle. Cracked or broken teeth do not always cause pain, and sometimes a patient may not even notice that anything is wrong, at least not right away.
Once a patient becomes aware that a tooth is cracked or broken, immediate evaluation by a dentist should follow. The dentist may recommend a crown as a treatment, which can protect the damaged tooth in several ways.
When a tooth cracks, it can fragment into multiple pieces. These fragments can break apart over time and when subjected to pressure from chewing. A crown helps to prevent this by covering the tooth and holding all the pieces together.
Chewing food exerts a great deal of pressure on the teeth, especially the back teeth. A crown shores up the damaged tooth against these forces and restores its structural integrity to be as functional as before.
Most dental issues develop because the teeth are exposed to acids, bacteria, and food particles in the mouth. A crown prevents these irritants from reaching the tooth and causing further damage.
A traditional crown is produced in a laboratory, and crafting it takes time. A patient typically has to wait at least two weeks before receiving a permanent crown. An additional trip to the dentist is then required to put it in place.
A CEREC® crown eliminates the wait and the need for multiple visits. The dentist creates the crown in the office the same day after using computer-aided design to capture digital images of the tooth and jaw. As soon as it is ready, the dentist can install it over the tooth. The entire process takes hours rather than weeks and can be accomplished in a single appointment.
While expediency is the major advantage of a CEREC® crown, there are other advantages. It is made of a sturdy ceramic material that resists abrasion and should provide a reliable and long-lasting restoration. It may also have a more natural appearance in the mouth because it does not have a dark-colored metal core.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: CEREC Dentist in Swampscott, MA
Many different forces can damage teeth, causing cracks, fractures, or irreparable decay. A crown covers the entire tooth to hold it together, restore its function, and protect it from further damage. A CEREC® crown works the same way as a traditional crown but can be created and installed in the mouth much more expediently.
Request an appointment or call Cosmetic & Family Dentistry of the North Shore at 781-443-8268 for an appointment in our Swampscott office.
If a person has a broken tooth, this can lead to many problems, so a dental professional may recommend a CEREC® crown. Known as Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, this technology can be used to fabricate a variety of dental devices, such as veneers, implants, bridges, and dentures, as well as crowns, which are…
Restoring a tooth surface with a crown used to be time-consuming, requiring multiple office visits. CEREC®, which stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics (or CERamic REConstruction) is a system that uses computer technology to design a custom-fitted crown that can be created, polished, and bonded in place on the same day.All of the…
Made of durable, tooth-colored ceramic, CEREC® crowns have become popular in recent years. These restorations are sometimes used to strengthen a broken tooth. One appeal of these crowns is that they can be made in one visit.CEREC® crowns are natural-looking restorations, so dentists use them for front as well as back teeth. Because they are…
A healthy smile requires a lifetime of focusing on oral hygiene basics. Even if you currently have healthy teeth and history of proper dental care, a review of best practices is helpful to maintain good daily habits.Focus on the details of these broad oral hygiene basics to ensure you retain your healthy, natural pearly whites…
Practicing good oral hygiene basics is essential for keeping beautiful, strong teeth and gums as well as staying healthy throughout the entire body. Here are four of the most common ways to ensure excellent oral health and hygiene.Dentists recommend that everyone brush their teeth at least two times per day for two minutes each session.…