Same-Day Dental Crowns in Scripps Ranch
Dr. Jennifer Santoro and the entire team at Village Center Dentistry believe our patients deserve the absolute best that technology has to offer. Dr. Santoro has found that a state-of-the-art system called CEREC, short for Chairside Economical Restorations of Esthetic Ceramic, saves our patients significant time. Thanks to the CEREC system, you no longer have to schedule multiple visits to have a single crown placed; you can receive a top-quality restoration in a single visit! The CEREC system has completely revolutionized the process by which Dr. Santoro designs, constructs and places dental crowns.
What Is a Dental Crown?
A crown is a dental restoration used on teeth that are broken or weakened by decay or disease. The crown is placed over the exterior of the tooth to recreate the look and feel of a strong, healthy tooth, and save the tooth from extraction.
Although older crowns were made from metals like gold or silver, many of today’s crowns are crafted from tooth-colored materials so they blend in with the surrounding teeth.
Traditionally, crowns required multiple appointments to design, fit and place. The dental team would take messy impressions and other records and send the information to an outside dental laboratory, which would construct the crown. You would have a temporary crown placed in the interim and when the crown was ready, another appointment would take place to try the crown in. If any modifications were needed, there would be more back and forth with the lab and therefore additional appointments for the patient. The process was time-consuming and inconvenient. Luckily, with a CEREC crown, that is no longer the case!
Benefits of CEREC Same-Day Dental Crowns
- Beautiful, lifelike restorations
- Completely customizable
- No need for ill-fitting temporaries
- Designed and delivered in a single appointment
- Modifications can be made on the spot
- Crowns last for many years without problems
Our patients love CEREC because the technology has simplified the process of getting a crown. Instead of having to block out time to attend several appointments and go back and forth about the crown’s fit and feel, you can complete treatment in a single visit. This reduces the overall costs, time and effort needed for dental crowns. There is no need to have messy impressions taken or wear an ill-fitting temporary crown while the permanent restoration is being created in a dental laboratory. The old temporary crowns caused gum irritation, which is now avoided with the one-day CEREC crown.
Also, the crowns are crafted from the finest, most lifelike and metal-free materials, and designed to last many years without problems. They restore weak or compromised teeth to their natural beauty, function and strength, saving the tooth from being extracted.
CEREC Crown Placement Process
CEREC uses computer-assisted design and manufacturing to design and mill ceramic crowns during one dental appointment. First, Dr. Santoro will evaluate your affected tooth or teeth and determine whether CEREC crowns are suitable for your case. If so, she will numb the mouth and prepare the tooth or teeth receiving the crowns by removing any damaged or decayed tooth structure. Dr. Santoro practices conservative dentistry, and always tries to preserve as much healthy tooth structure as possible.
Once the tooth has been prepared, a digital camera will scan the tooth and mouth to gather information that helps design the restoration. These digital images will be sent to the CEREC computer, where the software converts them into a three-dimensional model of the affected tooth.
CAD-CAM technology will design the crown to fit your exact measurements and specifications. Dr. Santoro and Kim will select the ceramic material that most closely matches your surrounding teeth, so your restoration will blend in seamlessly.
Then, the CEREC milling unit will construct your crown from the selected block of porcelain. Once it is ready, Dr. Santoro will position it in your mouth to check its fit and verify the correct occlusion to fit your bite. She can make any modifications necessary to improve its look or feel. Finally, the crown is bonded to your tooth and polished.
Frequently Asked Questions about CEREC Crowns
How long does the whole process take?
The entire process takes no more than two and a half hours. While your crown is being milled and baked, you will have two 30-minute breaks where you can catch up on emails, read a book or magazine or take a relaxing nap with the lights dimmed. You can be fitted for a crown and wait while it is crafted in our office.
How long do same-day dental crowns last?
With the proper care and maintenance, CEREC crowns last just as long as lab-made crowns. There is no guarantee how long they will last as we cannot foresee future fractures or decay, but with proper care, they will last you many years to come!
Is the process painful?
The process of getting a CEREC crown is not painful. We take digital impressions, which are quick and non-obtrusive. And we will numb the affected tooth before preparing it and placing the crown, so you will not feel any pain.
How should I care for the crown?
You should brush and floss around your crown daily, just as you would a natural tooth. If you grind or clench your teeth while you sleep, you should wear a custom nightguard to protect your crown from excessive forces. You should not bite down on any hard objects, like shells or pen caps, with your crowned tooth, or use your teeth to open packages or bottles. You should also see Dr. Santoro every six months for a check-up, so she can ensure your crown’s integrity and identify any problems early on.
How can I ensure the best results?
The better you are with everyday hygiene, the better the seal will be on your crown. Flossing and brushing benefit the gums and ensure the increased duration and quality of bonding of all of your restorative work. You can also ensure a beautiful, well-fitting and lasting crown by choosing an experienced, qualified dentist like Dr. Santoro. She will save you time without sacrificing the quality, look or feel of your crown.
Learn More about CEREC Same Day Crowns
If you would like to learn more about the CEREC system or speak with Dr. Santoro about your personal dental needs, please book a consultation at Village Center Dentistry. You can call or email us today.
