Same Day Crowns
Keep Your Teeth Healthy and Your Smile Bright
If you have a cracked tooth or a tooth that is severely decayed, you may be a candidate for the dental crown procedure. According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, 15 million people in the United States have a crown or bridge to replace missing teeth. Dental crowns are designed to protect and strengthen the tooth structure to prevent further damage. They not only strengthen the tooth but also have aesthetic benefits by improving the appearance of your smile!
You may need a dental crown if you have:
Cracked teeth
Weak or soft teeth that can’t accommodate a filling
Misshapen teeth
Badly discolored teeth
Teeth severely damaged by tooth decay
Dental implants (a crown is made to go onto the implant)
A tooth that has had a root canal treatment
Teeth that require a bridge
How the Dental Crown Procedure Works
Dental crowns can be placed on any tooth and typically require making an impression of the tooth before placing a temporary, acrylic crown. Unless you are getting CEREC, your crown is custom-made in a lab and then placed within about two weeks. The steps of the crown procedure are as follows:
Tooth is reshaped to accommodate for the crown
Impression of problem tooth and surrounding teeth taken
Temporary acrylic crown is placed
Permanent crown is prepared in lab
Temporary crown is removed and permanent crown is placed (usually within one or two weeks)
Types of Dental Crowns
We offer several options in Dental Crowns, including:
Full Porcelain Crowns – The most natural-looking crown made of zirconium or aluminum-oxide. These are often recommended for the upper and lower front teeth because of their aesthetic appeal.
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns (PFM) – Also known as “full cast” crowns, these crowns are made with metal alloys and porcelain is fused to the surface to create a natural-looking appearance. These crowns typically require a large part of the tooth structure to be removed but can be used to cap front and back teeth.
All-Metal Crowns – Made entirely out of alloys such as a gold alloy. These are long-lasting and can gold crowns tend to last the longest.
CEREC One-Visit Crowns– An attractive, fast option for many patients who want restoration without any waiting period. (These crowns are made on-site.)
About CEREC Dental Crowns
CEREC is one of the latest innovations in modern dentistry and allows us to place a crown in a single visit. It is an acronym for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. CEREC dental restorations provide a very natural-looking tooth restoration and are used for inlays and onlays, new fillings, veneers, and for replacing old amalgam fillings. Best of all, the entire procedure is performed in a single visit!
CEREC’s state-of-the-art bonding system creates beautiful, natural-looking restorations for teeth that may be chipped, discolored, or broken. The entire procedure is performed in a single visit which means you would spend no more than one to two hours at the office.
CEREC Step-by-Step
Here is a closer look at how CEREC works:
Step 1: Tooth is prepared and optical impression is taken with a 3D camera
Step 2: Digital image is transferred to a computer where the restoration is designed using computer-aided design (CAD) software
Step 3: Custom restoration details are transmitted to the in-office milling machine
Step 4: Machine fabricates a custom, color-matched tooth restoration within 20 minutes
Step 5: Tooth restoration is fitted, polished, and bonded to the tooth structure
Since there is no temporary restoration involved, you can walk out of our office with a beautiful new tooth and a new smile the same day!
Caring for Dental Crowns
CEREC and permanent crowns are designed to look and function just like your real teeth so you can continue with your usual oral hygiene regimen. Keep in mind that metal-based crowns may be more sensitive to heat and cold right after placement. If you experience any type of jaw pain, have difficulty chewing, or notice that your crown is becoming loose, you must come in for a checkup as soon as possible.