3 Reasons to Choose a CEREC Same Day Crown

If you need a dental crown, you may be weighing your options between a traditional crown and a CEREC same day crown. While getting a crown immediately sounds like an ideal option for busy schedules, how can a crown made so quickly match the quality of a crown made in a dental lab? 

We understand the skepticism. As dental technologies advance, we’re able to provide services for our patients we never would have dreamed of a decade or two ago. After carefully researching the CEREC same day crown process and vetting the quality of its products, we’re proud to be able to offer this service to our patients. Not only has our team offered same day crowns for 20 years, but we also have the newest technology called Omni Cam and Prime Scan that are being used to not only create crowns and bridges, but also the treatment planning of implant surgery, orthodontic aligners, and more.

Here’s how it works. First, we use CEREC’s advanced digital impression technology to create 3D models of your teeth and jaw. We can use these models to predict how your new crown will interact with surrounding teeth and adjust accordingly. We use our in-house milling machine to craft your custom-made crown from a solid piece of tooth-colored material. We choose a shade that matches your natural teeth perfectly, so your crown blends right in with the rest of your teeth. Finally, we place your crown and send you on your way––it’s that easy. CEREC crowns provide superior strength, optimal function, and a natural appearance, making them a great option for all patients.

These are some of our patients’ reasons for choosing CEREC same day crowns over the other options.

The name makes it obvious: CEREC crowns are ready the same day you visit us for your crown. But how does this compare to traditional crowns?

It’s not a matter of same day vs. the next day, or even same day vs. two or three days. With a traditional crown, your wait could be two or three weeks. Your first visit to us will be for impressions and to prepare your tooth for the crown. We send the impressions to a dental lab, where a technician fabricates your crown. If your crown comes back to us and it doesn’t fit quite right, the clock starts all over again––you’ll have to wait another two to three weeks to have the replacement sent. 

In contrast, milling your crown ourselves with our CEREC milling machine is done in under an hour. If the first version doesn’t fit, we’ll mill a new one––right away. You don’t even need to leave our office while you wait. Many of our patients bring a book to read or catch up on their favorite shows while waiting for their crown.

One of the benefits of the CEREC same day crown system is that it uses digital impressions to create your crown. If it’s been a while since you’ve had impressions made, you probably remember it as a decidedly unpleasant experience: you sit in an exam chair with a tray full of messy, oozing impression material in your mouth and try not to gag or move while it solidifies. If you do move or if the tray shifts––which happens a lot––your crown might not fit properly.

With digital impressions, we use an intraoral scanner to create models that are more accurate and precise. We can view the models on our computer screen within seconds of taking the impressions. Not only does this expedite the process of getting a crown, it also results in crowns that fit better.

During your first appointment to get a crown, we’ll prepare your tooth before taking impressions. To protect the prepared tooth from damage and sensitivity, you’ll need to have a temporary crown placed for the weeks while you wait for your permanent crown to be fabricated.

Unfortunately, temporary crowns are easy to damage and leave your tooth susceptible to infection. While wearing a temporary crown, you’ll need to follow a special diet of soft foods to prevent the crown from coming loose or falling off. When temporary crowns do fall off, they may damage your other teeth. CEREC same day crowns eliminate the need for temporary restorations.

If you'd like to discuss whether you're a candidate for CEREC same day crowns , contact us to make an appointment at one of our three Longmeadow and East Longmeadow locations. Ascent Dental Care offers better care, better service, and better results for you and your family’s dental health and care.