In the past, dental crowns & tooth restorations of any kind required multiple appointments. A dentist would take an impression of the tooth/teeth with some putty, send that mold to a partnering laboratory where a specialist would form the tooth, and place a temporary crown to keep the area clean. After a few days, it would be delivered back to the office, and wait for your next appointment for a fitting.
Today at Hallock Family Dental, our team of dedicated dentists has introduced state-of-the-art CEREC same-day crown technology into our list of patient care services in Allen and Mckinney, Texas.
What is CEREC?
CEREC has transformed the way dentists perform patient restorations. CEREC stands for ceramic reconstruction.’ It’s a 3D imaging and design center that allows dentists to take digital impressions of patient teeth and use those images to create a computer-automated restoration. The digital images are then sent to our in-office milling unit for same-day fabrication. That means you can have the preparation, impression, and placement of a crown on the same day.
To top it all off, CEREC can be used to produce not only crowns but onlays, inlays, or bridges using the same digital impression technology.
The Dental Crown Process
Step 1
Impression. Instead of the putty-like mold of traditional crows, our specialist doctors will take digital impressions that measure the size and shape of your tooth. The images are sent to the milling machine while the doctor moves on to the next step.
Step 2
Preparation. To put the crown in place, your dentist will need to remove some of the old tooth’s enamel. Our team will make sure that your crown will fit properly and have support from the roots of your tooth in order to withstand the strength of your jaw. The preparation stage also includes finding the dental material color to match your natural teeth. Your crown will fit and blend in place for a natural and healthy look and feel.
Step 3
Application. The application of the crown is the final step. Here, our team will ensure that the freshly prepared crown fits snuggly on your prepared tooth. The doctor may have you bite down and get a feel for what the tooth will feel and look like. Once confirmed, it is time to cement the crown in place with special dental cement. Curing the cement only takes a few minutes and you will be able to smile and use your new tooth with little to no restrictions as soon as you leave your chair.
Dental Crown Aftercare
Once your permanent crown has been placed, you can immediately eat and chew regularly. Since there is no temporary crown, you won’t need another visit. However, if you are still numb from the procedure, it is best to wait for the numbness to fade away before trying to eat or drink hot beverages.
Crowns are not impervious to regular tooth damage, so be sure to continue the recommended routine of brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing before bed, and getting semi-annually checkups and cleanings at your nearest Hallock Family Dental office.
