We Place Crowns Faster than the Royal Family
- Posted on: Oct 15 2017
The Crown is a popular show on Netflix detailing the rise of Queen Elizabeth. But since England in those days wasn’t exactly famous for its good teeth, maybe the show should focus on dental crowns instead. That would be even more interesting to the team at Cosmetic Dentistry Center.
You could say we’re crown aficionados here. And while changing of the crown to a new monarch can be a timely undertaking, we can place crowns in just a single visit with our CEREC system.
What is a crown?
When a tooth has some serious damage or is seriously weakened — maybe it has a deep crack, maybe it has a huge filling that has compromised the tooth’s strength, maybe there is a ton of decay — a crown is the only way to save the tooth. A crown, as the name implies, fits over the entire visible (above the gum line) portion of the tooth returning strength to the underlying weakened natural portion of the tooth. Crowns are also used as the anchors for dental bridges, and they can cover a tooth that has extensive staining or is misshapen.
Getting a crown at most dentists requires two visits and the patient has to wear a temporary crown for a couple of weeks. Not at Cosmetic Dentistry Center, as we can prepare your tooth for the crown, fabricate the crown right in our office, and place it all in just a single visit. We do that with our CEREC system.
What is CEREC?
CEREC is an acronym for a technologically advanced dental restoration fabrication system. It enables Drs. Walk and Bamel to restore decayed teeth, replace defective amalgam fillings, create and place cosmetic veneers, and place crowns in a single visit. We’ve been using the CEREC system since 2009.
CEREC stands for this:
- Chair side: All the technology is available right from your spot in the dental chair.
- Economical: The procedure is more economical than using a dental lab.
- Restorations: Your tooth is restored to its natural beauty, function, and strength.
- Esthetic: The restorations are metal-free and the color of your natural teeth.
- Ceramic: High-strength ceramics are used that closely resemble the appearance and sheen of your natural teeth.
How do we use CEREC?
In the case of a crown, we first remove any decayed or damaged material. Then we shave off a portion of the healthy outer tooth on all sides and the top to make room for the crown. Next, instead of loading up a mouthful of impression goop, we coat your tooth with a tasteless, non-toxic powder. Then we take a digital picture of your tooth and send this image and other data to the CEREC system.
The CEREC 3D software takes the digital picture and converts it into a three-dimensional virtual model on the computer screen. From that 3D image, Dr. Walk or Dr. Bamel then design your crown in just a few minutes. That data is sent to a separate milling machine in the office that takes a ceramic block matching your natural tooth shade and shaves it down to create your crown. This process only takes from 10-20 minutes. We then check your new crown for fit, bite, and color match, making adjustments as needed. When the fit is right, we cement the crown onto your tooth permanently, and you’re done. No second trip two weeks later required!
So, watch The Crown on Netflix, but get your crown in one day from the team at Cosmetic Dentistry. Call us at 617-965-7673 to make your next appointment.
Posted in: CEREC, Dental Crown