CEREC Same-Day Crowns

Pemberton Dental Associates are your local Cosmetic, Implant, and General Dentists located in Lawrence, MA.

CEREC Crowns from Pemberton Dental Associates

Explore our CEREC Crowns

Dental crowns are often part of a variety of different dental procedures including root canals and dental bridges. They are also often recommended to replace the chewing surface of a tooth after a tooth has had severe decay or cracks and chips.

While traditional dental crowns require multiple visits to the dentist’s office, modern-day technology allows offices like ours to provide same-day dental crowns. If you are interested in making a dental appointment with our team, please give us a call or use our form below.

CEREC Crowns Q & A

What are CEREC® crowns?

A dental crown is a replacement for part of your tooth. In the same way that a filling replaces a decayed section of your tooth, a dental crown replaces a larger section. In order for a dental crown to be installed, the tooth has to be reshaped to connect to the crown. Because of this, dental crowns have to be custom-made in order to fit your tooth. During the process a section of your tooth is removed, measurements are taken, and then a crown is created and installed later on. While the crown is being created, a temporary crown is usually installed to cover your tooth until the custom crown is finished.

What is a CEREC crowns used for?

Dental crowns are synthetic caps that attach to the tooth. Where a filling is a synthetic material that is placed in a small cavity or hole in a tooth, a crown is a replacement for the top or chewing surface of a tooth. There are a few reasons a crown might be recommended. They include:

  • Damage To The Tooth: The most obvious reason you might need a crown is damage to the tooth. A crack or a chip caused by an injury or other issues might be a reason to have a dental crown installed. Similarly, dental decay that has progressed past a small cavity might cause the need for a dental crown.
  • Root Canal: Sometimes the process of a root canal requires the replacement of a significant portion of the tooth.
  • Dental Bridges: Dental bridges hold a false tooth or a group of adjacent false teeth in place between healthy existing teeth. The anchors for these bridges are often dental crowns.

Frequently Asked Questions About CEREC Same-Day Crowns

What Are CEREC Dental Crowns Made Of?

CEREC crowns are made using ceramic. In fact, the second C of the acronym stands for ceramics. What makes CEREC crowns unique is that they are designed in the office. A 3D design is made on a computer and the CEREC machine then carves and sculpts a piece of ceramic to completely match the crown that was digitally designed. That design is created based on digital measurements taken using intraoral scanning tools after your tooth is prepared. This ensures that the final crown is designed to fit your tooth perfectly. 

On average, CEREC crowns can last 10 to 15 years similar to other crown materials. However, their lastability is greatly impacted by a patient’s daily oral health. Oftentimes, crowns fail not because they get damaged but because the tooth they are attached to gets damaged. Just like a filling, a crown is attached to a healthy tooth. If the tooth erodes due to decay or other issues it will cause the crown to loosen. This is why it is recommended to follow your dentist’s instructions for daily oral care and to make sure you see the dentist twice a year. Routine dental visits ensure that your dentist notices issues before they worsen. If a crown needs to be replaced it can be done before it breaks or falls out. 

No. In fact it has been estimated that less than 10% of American dental offices use CEREC technology. It is a relatively new technology in dentistry. CEREC is used by modern dental offices that are invested in providing the best dental care for their patients. In order to use CEREC dentists need to not only have the CEREC machine but also the ability to digitally scan their patients’ mouths for measurements and use software to design the crowns. Many dentists continue to rely on existing dental labs they have preexisting relationships with. This of course means that patients have to wait days or weeks for their crowns to be manufactured and shipped to their dental office. 

The biggest disadvantage of CEREC crowns is their availability. Not every dentist provides CEREC crowns so you might have to search online to find one. CEREC crowns are also slightly less durable than metal, but with proper oral care, that difference is negligible. CEREC crowns are also often more expensive than other materials but are a great investment in your oral health. 

Yes and no. For the most part, your diet can remain pretty much the same if you have CEREC crowns. That said, no one should bite down on hard objects like popcorn kernels, ice cubes, pens, or other non-food items. Crown or not, biting on hard objects can lead to chips, cracks, and breaks. Additionally, you will want to avoid particularly sticky foods that can cause a crown to dislodge. 

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