If you are in need of a dental crown, you may be aware that they can take multiple visits to the dentist to be put into place. At Hite Family Dentistry in Edwardsville, Illinois, we offer single visit crowns that are durable and just as strong, if not stronger, than traditional crowns.
What is a crown and why are they needed?
A dental crown is a cover that is placed over the top of a damaged tooth. You can think of it like a little hat to cover up the tooth. The dental crown protects and covers a tooth when a filling isn’t an option.
A dental crown is needed when a tooth is damaged by tooth decay, dental trauma, or even excessive wear, and needs additional support to maintain its function and aesthetic. The crown provides added strength to ensure you can continue to enjoy all the foods you love.
A traditional dental crown is made out of a variety of materials, like metal, porcelain, resin, and ceramic. Once the dental crown is made and molded to the shape of your damaged tooth, it is then cemented over the original tooth.
What is a CEREC crown?
At Hite Family Dentistry, we offer dental crowns that can be placed in a single day. Using CEREC crown technology, which stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, we are able to design, customize, and shape a dental crown specifically for you, in just one visit. A traditional dental crown would require two visits to the dental office, as the crown would have to be shaped in a specialized lab, which takes time. The computer-aided technology eliminates the long wait for the dental crown, but still provides a customized dental crown, fit specifically for you and your mouth shape.
How does computer-assisted technology work?
Often referred to as CAD/CAM dentistry, computer-assisted technology can reduce the time it takes for dental work to be done. In the instance of a dental crown, the entire process could take less than two hours, compared to making two individual visits with a traditional dental crown.
First, Dr. Hite will prepare the tooth that is in need of a crown by removing the decayed or damaged part of the tooth. An intraoral scanner will be used next to create a custom 3D image of the area around the tooth, which will allow the computer program to create a 3D model of your tooth that will ensure the crown fits perfectly in your mouth. In the next step, a milling machine designs and shapes your dental crown from ceramic. After the tooth is molded, it is polished to look like a more natural tooth. Finally, Dr. Hite will be able to cement the CEREC crown into place. You can then check out your new tooth!
What are the advantages of CEREC single visit crowns?
A CEREC crown can be done in one dental visit rather than two visits to the dentist, so the time savings is one of the advantages of a CEREC crown. A CEREC crown is also more cost-effective, because all of the work can be done in-house at Hite Family Dentistry, meaning there is no need to send anything out to a lab to be created.
One of the reasons Hite Family Dental prefers CEREC crowns to traditional dental crowns is because they are durable and strong—many dentists say the CEREC crown is just as strong, if not stronger, than a traditional dental crown. A CEREC crown is also very moldable, making it super customizable, leading to a better fit in your mouth. The 3D imaging is able to capture every curve of your mouth, which allows the crown to be customized to each and every person.
Another advantage of a CEREC crown is that no metal is used. That means that anyone with a metal allergy doesn’t have to worry about having a negative reaction. The lack of metal can also mitigate tooth sensitivity, because metal can conduct hot and cold, which has led to tooth sensitivity in some patients with a traditional dental crown.
Visit Hite Family Dentistry to learn more about CEREC crowns.
If you are in need of a dental crown, visit Dr. Hite and the team at Hite Family Dentistry to learn more about single visit crowns and their advantages over a traditional dental crown. Dr. Hite will explain the process, perform an evaluation, and together, you can discuss the right course of treatment for you!
