Dental Crowns
Dental crowns act as caps for vulnerable, weak, cracked teeth. They are available in a variety of materials, such as zirconia, porcelain, and ceramic, all of which we offer at Advanced Dentistry of Mount Pleasant.
Patients often prefer to opt for porcelain crowns to cover teeth that are visible when you smile. However, if you are covering a tooth that is further back in the mouth, such as a molar, other materials may be suitable and cheaper.
Dr. Candice Vinson is a tooth restoration expert with a specialization in prosthodontics. If you have a decayed, broken, or vulnerable tooth that needs additional protection, schedule an appointment with us today.
Tooth Restorations
What Are Crowns?
Dental crowns are caps that are used to cover your natural teeth. Not to be confused with veneers which only cover the front-facing side of the teeth, crowns cover the entire surface of the tooth and require more preparation of the tooth such as filing it down and shaping it before placing a fitted crown on top.
What to Expect
Does It Hurt to Get a Dental Crown?
The actual dental crown procedure is not painful at all. You will be given a local anesthetic before any drilling or filing, so the most you would feel during the treatment is some pressure. Once the anesthetic wears off, you may feel some mild discomfort, soreness, or swelling for a day or two following your crown placement.
Pain or discomfort can be relieved by using over-the-counter pain medication and swelling or soreness can be reduced through the use of ice packs. The procedure takes place in two separate appointments.
Understanding the Procedure
What Happens During the Procedure?
First Appointment - Dr. Candice Vinson will examine your tooth, and if there is significant damage or cracking, it will need to be filled before a tooth restoration can be created. Then a mold will be taken of your teeth to match your tooth restoration to the true size, shape, and color of your natural teeth.
Any infected areas of the tooth will be drilled out. Your tooth will be filed down and shaped to properly fit the crown in your mouth. A temporary crown may be placed while you wait for your permanent crown to be created.
Second Appointment - If you were given a temporary crown, this will be removed and your new crown will adhere to your teeth with dental cement or an adhesive.
Protect Vulnerable Teeth
Why Do I Need a Dental Crown?
Crowns are used to improve the appearance and function of damaged teeth and to prevent vulnerable teeth from further damage. Crowns are often recommended for dental patients who have undergone root canals to prevent reinfection and to preserve the tooth’s structural integrity.
A good candidate for a dental crown would be someone with any of the following:
- Cracked or broken tooth
- A tooth that has undergone a root canal
- Weak tooth at risk of breaking
- Stained or oddly shaped tooth
Need a bridge or denture (crowns are used to hold them in place)
What are Same-Day
CEREC Crowns?
CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. CEREC crowns are made from a high-quality ceramic material using CAD/CAM technology, which allows the dentist to create a digital impression of your tooth and design a custom crown that perfectly fits your tooth's shape and size.
So, what can CEREC crowns treat? CEREC crowns can be used to treat a variety of dental problems, including cracked or broken teeth, decayed teeth, misshapen or discolored teeth, and teeth with large fillings.
The Treatment Process for
Same-Day CEREC Crowns
Consultation and Examination
The first step in getting a same-day CEREC crown is to schedule a consultation with your dentist. During this appointment, the dentist will examine your tooth to determine if a dental crown is necessary. If a crown is recommended, the dentist will explain the CEREC process, its benefits and limitations, and answer any questions you may have.
Preparation of the Tooth
Once the decision is made to proceed with the same-day CEREC crown, the dentist will prepare the tooth by removing any damaged or decayed areas, and shaping the remaining tooth structure to accommodate the crown. A digital impression of the tooth is then taken using a small camera wand, which captures images of the tooth from various angles.
It's worth mentioning that, before the digital impression is taken, the dentist will discuss the color and shade of the crown with you. The dentist will match the shade of the crown to your natural teeth to ensure a seamless and natural-looking result.
Designing the Crown
The digital impression is then uploaded to the CEREC computer system, where the dentist will use CAD technology to design the crown. The dentist can adjust the shape, size, and color of the crown to ensure that it matches the surrounding teeth and fits perfectly in your mouth.
Milling the Crown
Once the design is finalized, the CEREC milling machine will fabricate the crown out of a block of ceramic material. The milling process uses a small, computerized machine to carve the ceramic block into the exact shape and size of the dental crown. This process is quick, precise, and allows the dentist to make any last-minute adjustments to the crown's fit or appearance.
Polishing and Bonding
After the crown is milled, the dentist will polish it to ensure a smooth surface and a natural-looking shine. The crown is then bonded to the tooth using dental cement, which creates a strong and permanent bond. The dentist will check the fit and bite of the crown to ensure that it’s comfortable and functional. The entire process takes about two hours, and you can leave the dental office with a fully functional tooth that looks and feels natural.
Benefits of Same-Day
CEREC Crowns
Same-day CEREC crowns offer several advantages over traditional crowns, including:
Time-Saving:
With same-day CEREC crowns, you can get a new crown in just one visit to the dentist's office. This eliminates the need for multiple appointments, saving you time and hassle.
More Accurate:
CEREC technology allows for a more accurate fit than traditional crowns. The digital impression captures every detail of your tooth, and the crown is custom-designed to fit perfectly.
More Convenient:
Same-day CEREC crowns are more convenient for patients who may have difficulty scheduling multiple appointments or who live far from the dentist's office.
Less Discomfort:
With traditional crowns, patients often have to wear a temporary crown while waiting for the permanent crown to be fabricated in a dental lab. This temporary crown can cause discomfort, sensitivity, and even pain. With same-day CEREC crowns, there is no need for a temporary crown, eliminating any discomfort associated with wearing one.
Reduced Costs:
Same-day CEREC crowns eliminate the need for multiple dental appointments, which can save patients money on transportation and time off work. Additionally, because the entire process is completed in one visit, there is no need for a temporary crown or a second appointment, which can reduce the overall cost of the procedure.
Improved Aesthetics:
CEREC crowns are designed to match the patient's natural teeth in color, shape, and size, resulting in a seamless and natural-looking restoration. This can improve the patient's confidence and self-esteem, especially if the restored tooth is in a visible location.
Have Any Questions?
If you have any other concerns or questions about the benefits, procedure, or what to expect from dental crowns, contact us at Advanced Dentistry of Mount Pleasant today. Our expert dental team would be more than happy to give you more information or have you come in for a consultation. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Vinson to find out if dental crowns could be right for you.
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