How often have you reached the dentist without knowing which crown will look best on your tooth? Is a CEREC crown the perfect choice for you? It can be challenging to decide between two well-established materials if you don’t have complete information. Read on to learn if CEREC crowns are better than traditional crowns.
What Are Traditional Crowns?
Therefore, its name comes from its function, covering a tooth. It’s a tooth-shaped cap that can be glued over a tooth to make it look and function normally again. It also improves the build of the teeth.
To restore a tooth’s original size and shape, dentists will often recommend getting a crown and having it bonded over the tooth. The following are some of the reasons why your dentist may have suggested a crown:
- Weak tooth
- Dental bridge
- Misshaped tooth
- Discolored tooth
- Broken tooth
- Worn tooth
- Dental implant
- Cosmetic enhancement
- A tooth with a large filling
How Traditional Crowns Are Made
Traditional dental crowns, often known as caps, can be made from a few different materials. Materials like porcelain bonded to metal, all-resin, and stainless steel are just a few examples. The process of getting a traditional crown placed requires multiple visits to the dentist.
During your first visit, your dentist will take multiple X-rays to check the state of your jawbone and tooth roots. Root canal therapy may be required in cases of severe tooth decay or when an infection of the tooth’s pulp is suspected.
To prepare for the crown, your dentist will reshape the tooth and take an imprint at this session. Until your permanent crown is ready, your tooth will be protected with a temporary crown.
In the second visit, you’ll get to try on the crown that will eventually be permanently affixed to your tooth to see if the fit and color are satisfactory. When the crown’s appearance and fit are acceptable, a local anesthetic will be used to cement it into place. The usual method of attachment is with dental cement.
What Is A CEREC Crown
Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, or CEREC, is a dental procedure that can save time and money. It’s used to treat fractured teeth in many ways normal crowns are. CEREC crowns can fix broken, decayed, or worn teeth. They provide a similar purpose after endodontic therapy.
How Much Effort Is Needed To Place CEREC Crowns
Compared to traditional crowns, CEREC crowns require a single session to implant. The usage of CAD programs makes all of this possible (Machining). These benefits make CEREC crowns preferable to traditional crowns in terms of convenience and cost.
CEREC crowns are constructed from a single ceramic block machined and shaped to fit each patient’s teeth. In-office crown fabrication eliminates the need for a dental laboratory.
Simpler to manufacture than traditional crowns, yet just as sturdy. If you choose same-day crown placement, you won’t need a temporary repair.
Pros And Cons Of Traditional Crowns
Professional dental technicians in a lab make traditional crowns as their day job. Making them has benefits and drawbacks, although the process is more time-consuming.
Pros
- Affordable: The low price of traditional crowns is undoubtedly the most significant advantage. Costs are quoted on an individual basis. Most dental insurance policies cover them and are generally less expensive than CEREC crowns.
- Detail: Traditional crowns can be as realistic and intricate as you wish. These signs allow you to utilize a regular crown for the front teeth.
- Durability: In addition, their durability is second to none. Traditional crowns that bond to your tooth is more secure and less likely to come off.
Cons
- Lengthy Process: Appointments for a crown typically span many weeks. Dental checkups could necessitate a considerable time investment.
- Alterations Lead to a Price Hike: If your current crown needs adjustments, you may need to get a new one. That will necessitate additional time and cause schedule clashes. Nobody should have to go through that.
- Bulk Temporary Crown: While your permanent crown is being made, you should use a large temporary one to protect your teeth. It can be annoying to wear, and you must be cautious not to damage or dislodge it.
Pros And Cons Of CEREC Crowns
The CEREC crowns are made using cutting-edge technology and may be made in minutes, saving you time and money. To make your crown, computerized gear will start with a block of porcelain and cut it out. Now is the time to discuss the benefits and drawbacks.
Pros
- Latest Scanning Techniques: If you get a crown made with CEREC technology, you won’t have to deal with nasty dental putty. Using handheld scanners, your dentist will take an in-depth intraoral scan to create a digital image of your teeth without touching them.
- Quick Procedure: We have already established that your CEREC crown will be ready sooner than the time it takes to shape a tooth and take an impression for a traditional crown. You may have confidence in your crown’s fit and save time.
- Minimal Discomfort: A temporary crown is not required while getting a CEREC crown because it may be made and put in place in a matter of hours. You also won’t have to worry about any of the abovementioned drawbacks.
Cons
- Slightly Less Detailed: Once again, the differences are minimal. The CEREC crown is more straightforward in design than a conventional one. A natural-looking and natural-feeling crown are possible with traditional methods.
- Has Boundaries: If the tooth is damaged beyond the scanner’s range, a CEREC crown cannot be made. A more traditional crown will be necessary in that case.
- Slightly Delicate: Most dental crowns are made in two parts, with porcelain affixed to a metal framework. The all-porcelain construction of a CEREC crown may make it slightly less durable.
Takeaway
Don’t forget that the final look of your CEREC crown or any crown you choose will depend on your dentist’s skill and experience. Although a dental laboratory is unnecessary with CEREC, the practitioner will still need to color and polish the porcelain. If you need help deciding which crown is right for you, contact the Luth and Heideman Center for Dental Care to schedule an appointment.
