Dental technology has progressed by leaps and bounds over the last several decades, driving a rapid advancement in dental prostheses and other cosmetic/reconstructive procedures. Dental patients may find themselves amazed at the many new techniques available to their dentist–and with good reason! They are unique, expanding both the scope and quality of dental care. As digital technologies increase the role of CAD/CAM (computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing) in dentistry, options like CEREC dental crowns are becoming more widely available and popular with patients and dentists. But what are CEREC dental crowns? How can they benefit your oral health? CEREC dental crowns in the hands of an experienced provider are some of the best and most cutting-edge prosthetic dental treatments available, and they open up new options for treatment.
What are CEREC Dental Crowns?
Let’s start with a brief recap of dental crowns in general. If a natural tooth breaks, chipped, or otherwise damaged, the dentist may decide to install a dental crown. The name gives us a clue–dental crowns are a kind of dental prosthesis that covers the top of the damaged tooth like a cap, protecting it and preventing further harm. Beyond damaged teeth, dental crowns can also help to cover discolored teeth or dental implants. They’re also sometimes used to repair root canals when the original treatment becomes damaged or worn.
CEREC dental crowns are a further development of that technology. CEREC stands for “Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramic” and is a way of harnessing CAD/CAM technologies within your dentist’s office. Utilizing CEREC’s tools, dentists can use digital images to create several ceramic dental prosthetics in their offices. There are many possible applications of CEREC, including:
- Crowns
- Inlays and Onlays
- Fixed bridges
- Veneers
- Dental implants
- Dentures
The prosthetics created by CEREC are perfectly fitted to each patient, matching their natural teeth as closely as possible and ensuring that the recovery and adjustment time is as short and easy as possible.
The Advantages of CEREC Dental Crowns
There are many potential advantages to CEREC dental crowns, depending on the patient and their needs. Your dentist can explain what CEREC can do for you, but there are some overall advantages to these procedures:
- Many procedures can be done in one visit. Previously, crowns and other dental prostheses required multiple visits to the dentist’s office before they could be ready. With CEREC dental crowns, many prosthetic solutions can be completed in a visit, making them more efficient and convenient for many patients.
- The resulting prosthetics are better made and customized to each patient. Based on the digital images created and used in the CAD portion of the process. It leads to better patient outcomes, increased patient satisfaction, and a better overall quality of care.
- CEREC obviates the need for other solutions including temporary caps and crowns, veneers, and other traditional dental treatments. Saving time and money, speeding up patient recovery, and improving overall experience are all benefits.
CEREC dental crowns are an exciting advancement in dental treatment that Hickory Dental Care is proud to provide. Our staff is prepared for the uses of CEREC and every technology we use to ensure that our patients get the best possible results every time. If you’re curious about a CEREC dental crown–or just due for an exam and cleaning–get in touch today.