Can I Really Get a Dental Crown in One Visit?
Patients remember a time when a broken tooth meant a crown requiring two visits to the dentist. One for preparing the tooth and taking an impression, and the second visit – usually two weeks later – to cement the crown to the tooth. Now, with CEREC® technology, you can get a superior dental ceramic crown on the same day you come in.
CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restorations of Esthetic Ceramic. What this really means is that we use this pioneer in dental technology in our Scottsdale office – from CAD 3D renderings to the milling machine – creating custom-made ceramic crowns in very little time – literally while you wait. This saves you time and money in reducing the need to take more time off from work.
Summary of Same Day Dental Crown Procedures
- Dr. Judy prepares the tooth by removing all decay and old fillings. The tooth is then cleaned and “built up” with a strong resin filling and then shaped to specific parameters.
- Instead of taking an impression, Dr. Judy uses a 3D scanner to scan the tooth
- The scanner takes these detailed images of the tooth using optical imaging with an infrared wavelength.
- The image becomes transposed on the computer screen. This is where the Dr. Judy views the tooth from all angles so she has the needed visuals to design the restoration.
- She completes the design and transmits it to the milling unit.
- Dr. Judy chooses a block of ceramic that closely matches your teeth’s color. This creates natural looking and virtually invisible results. The lithium disilicate glass ceramic material is 2.5 to 3 times stronger than other glass ceramics.
- Within 10-15 minutes, the milling unit creates the crown. You can even watch your crown being made in front of your eyes.
- Dr. Judy then tries in the crown to make sure it fits well. The crown is then glazed and placed in our special oven to crystallize and strengthen the ceramic. The crown is then cemented/bonded to the tooth.
Dr. Judy Huey is an authorized CEREC provider. If you have any questions on how CEREC may be the right choice for you, please contact our office for an appointment.
