A Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, or CEREC for short, is one of the newest fields of dentistry, that uses computer-aided design (CAD) and manufacturing (CAM) technology, to create a custom-made dental crown in just one appointment with your dentist.
CEREC crowns are gaining more and more popularity due to their convenience, strength, and appearance. There are several benefits to opting for CEREC crowns such as:
One of the biggest advantages is the amount of time needed for the procedure to be completed. For a regular ceramic crown, you would first need to make an appointment for the dentist to take your impression, after that you will need temporary crowns until the permanent ones are finished, and then wait for two weeks until the model is done. With a CEREC crown, it just takes one visit to the dentist for the crown to be modeled, created, and fitted.
High-quality materials that are used in creating CEREC crowns ensure the strength and durability of the crown as well as a natural look. Since they lack a metal core, they tend to blend in with the surrounding teeth more naturally.
Another big advantage of CEREC crowns is their strength and durability. The high-quality ceramic materials used in making them are chosen for their durability, strength, and ability to resist daily wear and tear that your teeth are exposed to for years to come.
While there are certainly a lot of advantages to getting a CEREC crown, nothing comes without some drawbacks.
If you are on a limited budget the procedure might be too costly, however, other more budget-friendly options still get the job done.
Not every dentist's office has this technology, so if you live in a smaller town, you might need to travel some distance to get this procedure done.
Since CEREC is still a relatively new dentistry practice, not every dentist will have as much experience, for you to have peace of mind when letting them carry out the procedure. In this case, you will need to do extensive research to find a dentist with enough experience and expertise.
While CEREC offers many benefits, there are some things that you should consider before deciding if that is the right choice for you.
While you might think that these types of crowns, due to the cutting-edge technology used, would cost way more than traditional ceramic crowns, that isn’t necessarily the case. The technology and the overall process aren’t cheap, and the crowns themselves do cost a bit more than regular crowns. However, depending on how busy your schedule is, the convenience of having them done in one sitting certainly has its advantages. When you add up all the expenses of having regular ceramic crowns done like transportation costs and having to take a few days off work or some other productive activities to get them done, CEREC can be a more economical choice.
The technology used for CEREC crowns requires a high amount of skill and expertise to be used effectively. Make sure you find a dentist that has extensive experience to get the best possible results.
CEREC crowns are suitable for most cases, however, there are exceptions. If a tooth has suffered too much damage, there might not be enough of it left for the crown to go on, and you might need a different procedure. If you want a CEREC crown, make sure to discuss it with an experienced dentist, so they can take you through all the available options that will suit your needs.
Like any other dental restoration, CEREC crowns are no exception when it comes to maintenance. You will need to brush and floss regularly as well as schedule regular check-ups to ensure their longevity.
Depending on your unique needs, CEREC crowns might not be suitable for you. No need to worry, since there is a variety of different options available such as:
They are made of porcelain, which is very similar in looks and texture to your teeth. Ceramic crowns are known for their durability and strength and are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth. There is also a porcelain-fused-to-metal type, which has a metal base that is covered by a layer of porcelain.
These are made from a special type of porcelain that is especially strong and durable. They are a great option for back teeth for patients that grind their teeth a lot.
Gold crowns are made out of gold alloy, and are most commonly used for back teeth because of their strength and endurance. However, their color might be a drawback for many patients.
These are made out of a composite resin material, that is made to match the color of your teeth perfectly. They are a great option for front teeth, however since they aren't as durable as other options, they might need changing more frequently.
The CEREC system revolves around computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM).
All of this takes around two hours, which is way faster than other traditional dental restorations. So if you value your time, this procedure might be the perfect choice for you.
CEREC dental crowns are a state-of-the-art, modern, and very convenient option for restoring damaged teeth. With this technology, dentists can create crowns, veneers, bridges, inlays, and onlays. The most beautiful part about the procedure is that it can be done in just one visit to the dentist, or approximately 2 hours, which is light years faster than other traditional procedures. In addition to all that, the results are very strong, durable, and feel and look completely natural. If you need a crown, make an appointment with an experienced dentist, and consult them if the CEREC crown is the right solution for you.
